FBI Compiles List of Most-Coveted Library Books
Some seven months after charging James Brubaker in the theft of hundreds of books from at least 100 academic and public libraries in the United States and Canada, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has entrusted the Western Washington University librarian who helped crack the case with a list of some 800 titles recovered in the case—600 of which were identifiable as having been taken from specific libraries. “Since any book on the list is apparently a candidate for theft, we are checking it against our own collection,” librarian Rob Lopresti e-mailed American Libraries. “Each of the books we own is being considered for possible protection by movement to a different location.”
Lopresti explained that he is loathe to post the list online for libraries’ convenience in checking their own holdings since that could transform it into “a shopping list” for potential thieves. However, he wrote, WWU would send a paper copy of the list by U.S. mail to any library that requests it on library stationary and enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope with 59 cents postage to: Rob Lopresti, Wilson Library, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103.
Brubaker, 74, who was convicted in September for interstate transportation of stolen property and possession and sale of stolen property, has begun serving a 30-month prison sentence—the minimum recommended by federal guidelines, the Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune reported September 16, in consideration of his helping law enforcement catch other thieves since his own capture.
Posted on November 21, 2008. Discuss.