Former Director Confesses to Thefts
from Wisconsin Library
The former head librarian of the Edgerton (Wis.) Public Library pleaded guilty October 2 to the theft of 417 books, audio- and videotapes, and CDs worth over $6,000 from the library over a 20-month period. Marylou Pierce Smith was convicted of felony misconduct in public office and will be sentenced December 4, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported October 3. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Suspicion fell on Smith in April, when employees noticed several items missing from a shipment. After initially claiming other employees had set her up, Smith then contended that she had paid the library for all the items. A search of her home revealed 148 stolen books, 92 CDs, 10 audiotapes, and a videotape; she had also given items to family and friends who didn’t realize they were stolen, the Journal-Sentinal reported. Additionally, Smith had been reimbursed for a falsified $952 hotel receipt from the 1999 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Posted October 9, 2000.
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