美图书馆：借书逾期不还者或需坐牢

A library in Alabama has reportedly warned its customers that it plans to enforce strict new borrowing rules that include the possibility of jail time for anyone who fails to return a book on time.

据报道，阿拉巴马州的一个图书馆提醒读者们，该图书馆计划实行严苛的新借阅规定，其中包括任何没有按时归还书本的读者将可能被判刑。

In an effort to recoup about $200,000 worth of overdue books, the Athens-Limestone public library will be enforcing a new policy that includes fines of $100, a city jail term of 30 days or possibly both, according to the News Courier.

据News Courier报道，阿森斯•莱姆斯通公立图书馆将对逾期未还者实行新措施，包括罚款100美元、30天的监禁或两者兼罚，其目的在于弥补之前逾期图书所带来的损失，价值达到20万美元。

Library director Paula Laurita said the harsh new rules were necessary because offenders were effectively stealing from the library and taxpayers.

图书馆馆长波拉•劳里塔认为严厉的新政十分有必要，因为这些违法者偷了图书馆的书本也是偷了纳税人的钱。

“Sometimes we hear, ‘I lent my library card to my cousin,’” Laurita said. “I just want to ask, ‘Would you lend your cousin your credit card? If they go and get $700 worth of clothing and you’re responsible for the bill, would you do that?’”

劳里塔说：“有时候我们会听到‘我把图书馆证借给我表弟了’。那我就想问问了，‘你会把你的信用卡借给你表弟么?’如果他们拿着你的卡去买了700美元的衣服而你要付账单，你还会借么?”

Library customers can end up owing large sums to the library because they are able to take out up to 25 books at a time, which could have a retail value of $25 each.

图书馆读者一次最多可以借25本书，每本可能价值25美元，因此他们最后可能会欠图书馆一大笔帐。

Anyone with overdue books will have the chance to return them before the authorities are notified.

任何有书逾期未还者都还有机会在权威机构介入前将书还回图书馆。

The library will first notify borrowers with overdue books via text or email. If that is ignored, a certified letter will be sent, warning they have 10 days to hand in their books and pay any fines owed.

图书馆首先会用短信或邮件通知借书逾期未还者。如果没有收到回复，图书馆会发一份挂号信警告他们，他们将有十天的时间还书并交罚款。

If that letter is not acted on, a court summons will be issued, WAAY 31 reported. Ignoring the court summons could result in another fine and jail time.

据WAAY 31报道，如果这封信也没起作用，那么就会发出法院传票。对法院传票置之不理则会导致另外的罚款和监禁。

Laurita said children would not be targeted by the policy.

劳里塔说孩子不在政策针对范围内。