Theft and Mutilation of Library Materials

Theft and mutilation of library materials is a continuing problem for librarians and past research on this problem offers no real solutions. In this research project, in-depth interviews were held with library managers of small- and medium-sized public libraries to determine their degree of concern with theft and mutilation and what measures they are instituting to manage the problem. No libraries are conducting regular inventories to determine losses and most managers are discouraged by the increase in mutilation of their children'S materials and the high theft rate of music CDs.