Book Thieves Target West Hartford Libraries

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Books are disappearing from West Hartford Public Library shelves, and it's not because of borrowers, merely, forgetting to return them.

They appear to be deliberately stolen, according to library officials Monday.

West Hartford Public Library Director Laura Irmscher confirmed the West Hartford Police Department is actively investigating the disappearance of library books in recent months.

"There’s not much that I can say as this is an active police investigation," she said Monday morning.

"We noticed over the summer that there were books not on the shelf that should have been there, and after looking into the matter, we notified the police."

Whereas the library can keep track of books checked out and not returned, Irmscher explained that the books in question are, simply, missing and haven't been checked out.

They're being discovered, she said, after books that are supposed to be on library shelves are turning up missing.

"There is no issue with books checked out by library cardholders," she said.

The library system in West Hartford is extensive and operates three facilities in town: Noah Webster, 20 S. Main St.; Bishop's Corner, 15 Starkel Road; and the Faxon Library, 1073 New Britain Ave.

According to library officials, there are no specific types of books being targeted, though, it appears, children's books are being spared.

Irmscher did say both fiction and non-fiction titles are disappearing.

"The problem involves new adult books, both fiction and nonfiction, of seemingly all different subjects," she said.

As for why the books are being stolen, there have been reports nationally about people taking books and then re-selling them online.

A free book sold for something would be pure profit for the thief.

The Little Free Library system— where participants create small book depositories outside homes/businesses/public institutions — is especially vulnerable.

With Little Libraries, folks can just come and go and help themselves to books, even though users are supposed to leave a book/take a book.

Anyone with information on books being stolen at West Hartford Public Libraries can call the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or its tips line at 860-570-8969.

For more information on the West Hartford Public Library system, click on this link.