From the Baltimore Sun (free registration required):
If you’re two weeks late in returning a book to the Baltimore County library, you’re likely to get a phone call. If your book is four weeks overdue, you’ll receive a notice in the mail.
And if you’re Philip Akbar Shabazz, you’re sent a letter that begins: “You currently have 402 items overdue from the Baltimore County Public Library. Fees and charges for these items amount to over $8,400.”
Library officials say they suspect that the books were sold. Yesterday, Shabazz, a Randallstown resident, went to court to face a felony theft charge. He was convicted and sentenced to three years behind bars.
Thanks to librarians Nancy and Sara Paul for the tip.