Two weeks ago I used a gift card to purchase a book through Barnes and Noble’s website. I settled for a used copy which came from a third-party seller, since the book is out of print. Ninja, the True Story of Japan’s Secret Warrior Cult, by Stephen Turnbull, arrived quickly and turned out to be as awesome as its subject matter: full of historical fact, mythology, Japanese images, and library information.
<<Sound of brakes screeching>>
Originally from the Fond Du Lac Public Library, the book appeared to have been withdrawn from there. I would have thought it sold by the library, except inside the book was also information on an inter-library loan. The Winnefox Library System in Wisconsin had loaned the book to the Stonehill College Library in Massachusetts, with a return date of May 24, 2010.
I donned my fedora, holstered my 38 special, took a sip of bourbon, and launched my detective career. A call to Stonehill soon turned up the fact that the book had been requested by them but never arrived. Instead, someone had rerouted it to Big River Books, LLC, 5001 McNeel Industrial Way, Powder Springs, GA 30127.
Who steals from a library? The jerk apparently operates from Georgia, or at the very least has a dummy corporate address there (although judging by what follows, it’s hard to imagine my thief is smart enough to have a dummy address). The jerk is also, apparently, an idiot. Ninja is rarer than I thought (almost as rare as a real ninja! Pun!). Hardcovers are hard to find and go for $85 or more. Paperbacks are easier to find and cost about $15. I bought mine for $14, shipping included. It’s a hardcover, in very good condition.
Stealing from libraries is not unknown. The librarian at Stonehill informed me it is quite easy to find out which libraries possess which valuable books. Usually, however, the thief simply checks the book out, and does not involve the inter-library loan system. Also, one assumes, the thief is then smart enough to remove the incriminating evidence from the book before fencing it.
I’ve informed Barnes and Noble, but haven’t heard back yet. I have no doubt they’ll take some kind of action against Big River (even if the bookseller wasn’t the original thief, they could have done what I did and called the library), and hopefully they’ll also see fit to refund my $14. In the meantime, I will be mailing Ninja back to Stonehill.
Just another day in the life of a book detective.
Comments 4
Aww, what a nice thing you’re doing. I think many people would have just kept the book and said, Hey I didn’t steal it, so it’s not my problem.
Also, awesome little story.
Posted 08 Jul 2010 at 11:10 am ¶If you were channeling all of this energy into, say, finding a cure for cancer….
…just kidding. Nice work, Cook. I expect a full film-noir write-up. Only throw in some sexy dames and someone almost getting shot or something.
Posted 10 Jul 2010 at 6:42 pm ¶Dear Mr. Cook,
Posted 29 Jul 2010 at 5:54 pm ¶I am the Support Services Coordinator at the Fond du Lac (Wis.) Public Library. I just wanted to thank you for returning the book to Stonehill. It has arrived safely back at our library and we will be returning it to our collection.
Thank you,
Lori B.
You’re very welcome! I’m glad it finally made its way home.
Update: Barnes and Nobles gave me the run-around for awhile, but have finally agreed to refund my money. They claim to be taking action against the bookseller, or at least checking into things. Justice has been served.
Posted 30 Jul 2010 at 10:39 am ¶Post a Comment