The Yonkers Public Library brings in about $400,000.00 a year in late or missing book fees: $0.10 per book for most books, $0.50 for new releases. Librarian Margo Reed was able to put away more than $160,500.00 by skimming a bit off the top of these nominal fines. For the past seven years, Reed used white out to fudge the late fee paperwork after pocketing what was in the library’s deposit bag.
And she would have gotten away with it, too, if the library hadn’t hired a new business manager. The Yonkers Library director, Stephen Force said, “I was shocked when I saw the records. When you looked at them, it was very obvious something was going on.†Well, yeah. I can’t remember the last time I saw someone legitimately use Liquid Paper.
For her part, the library bandit has been sentenced to six months in the Westchester County Jail, and five years’ probation after that for grand larceny and filing false tax returns. Reed is said to be both remorseful and hopeful she will be able to make restitution for the stolen money. (Photo: CCAC North Library/Flickr)