It is recognized that library materials will deteriorate through heavy use; however, misuse of library materials and property will be penalized. The "Arkansas Library Materials Security Law" (posted in various locations throughout the Library) states that it is against the law for any person to remove, retain, or mutilate library materials. Violators may be fined or imprisoned.
Misuse of library materials and property includes the following:
Damaging or destroying library books and library property.
Any person who willfully, maliciously, or wantonly writes upon, damages,
defaces, tears, cuts, mutilates, or destroys any book or other library property
will be charged with misuse of library materials.
Concealment of a book or other materials while on the library premises for purposes of removal or attempted removal from the library without proper authorization will be deemed theft.
Failure to return library books or other library property within 30 days of notification in writing from the circulation manager will be considered as willful theft of library property.
Failure to follow posted directions which results in damage or destruction of materials or special equipment will be considered as negligent misuse of library property.
The penalties imposed for the above offenses will be determined by the extent of the mutilation, misuse, theft, or damage of library materials and property. Penalties imposed for lost library books or for such treatment of library materials as to render them unusable do not constitute ownership of the lost or mutilated item. The library attempts to keep all circulating materials in repair and in reasonable condition; however, the patron also has the responsibility of notifying the library staff of missing pages, signatures, broken spines, and similar damage to circulation materials at the time of check-out to avoid unnecessary penalties.
