More Than Your Typical Slap on the Wrist...

New York Man Learns that His Library Means Business

By ANNE BARNARD and JO CRAVEN McGINTY
Published: December 26, 2007

It may be wrong to return a library book late — or to never return it. But how severe should the punishment be? Should it include being saddled with a bad credit score?


Abraham Kleinman says no. Mr. Kleinman, a lawyer from Uniondale, N.Y., represented a Queens man who sued Unique Management Services for reporting his $295 late bill from the Queens Library system to credit bureaus. The man, Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, won a settlement on a technicality — Unique’s license to operate in New York State had lapsed when it reported him — but Mr. Kleinman is still angry about the tactic that was used against his client.

A library fine is not really a debt, Mr. Kleinman argues, and should not be covered by regulations that allow collection agencies to report bad consumer behavior.

“That’s his opinion,” said Kenes Bowling, a spokesman for Unique. For 15 years, the company has operated a successful “materials collection” business as a debt collector for libraries, and it relies on its ability to threaten scofflaws with negative credit reports.


When a patron fails to return a book and is then billed for it by a library, Mr. Bowling said, “it is a legitimate debt, and it is credit-reportable.”


I must agree with Mr. Bowling. Libraries ought to be able to protect their interests, and if a patron abuses privileges then often there is no other recourse. I have no knowledge of that particular libraries policies. I would assume like most they are liberal and favor cutting the patron some slack.

I laughed on reading this story. The man, a Rabbi, should know better. How honest is that for a "a man of God" to be skipping out on library fines? My instinct would be to tease him and give him one more chance to pay the bill before revoking his library card.

Everyone has heard jokes about angry librarians taking matters in their own hands. Better watch your steps. The library mafia will come and get you...ha-ha-ha...

Still, as someone who loves libraries I side with the library who stuck it to this guy. Why shouldn't it be considered a debt? The whole point is to remember that what you borrow is not your property.

No, its not like snatching purses or robing banks at gun point. More like stealing candy from a baby.

Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, shame on you!

;)

Any thoughts?

Here is the link to the full story:


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/nyregion/26debate.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1200085355-ULRAHzLJY0NjAi6qnNtGyw