Methods of Book Theft
Book theft is the illegal act of taking books from a library, bookstore, or private collection without permission or without purchasing the books. Book theft can result in a range of consequences for the perpetrator and the victim. People have different motives for stealing books, including personal gain and financial profit. Notwithstanding different motives, book theft is a crime. As a successful book thief, Stephen Blumberg used several methods to steal books from libraries across the United States.
Here are five of the most common methods of book theft used by criminals like him:
Walkout Theft
One of the easiest methods for book theft is simply walking out of a library or bookstore with a book without checking it out or paying for it. This method is called "walkout theft" and is common among petty thieves who steal books for personal use. Accomplished thieves like Blumberg wore large coats into libraries and brought bags so that they could easily smuggle the books out without being caught. Some bring special tools and stamps to remove identifying markers from books just before or after leaving the premises.
Inventory Theft
Inventory theft, also known as "shrinkage," is when employees or insiders steal books from their workplace to either sell or keep for personal use. This method is more challenging to detect, as the thief is often highly trusted, has access to the books, and can manipulate inventory or cataloging records to cover their tracks. Some of the most accomplished book thieves worked in the libraries they stole from, like Frede Møller-Kristensen or Alois Pichler.
Rare Book Theft
Some thieves target rare and valuable books from libraries and private collections. This method is specialized and requires more knowledge of the book market and rare book dealers. Thieves can steal rare books by posing as legitimate buyers or researchers, forging documents, or using distractions to prevent librarians, collectors, or sellers from noticing them. Some thieves, like Stephen Blumberg, may survey a library, home, or store for multiple days before their theft to understand the security systems in place. Some may become experts at picking locks and circumventing security systems. Rare book theft can cause significant financial losses, as well as damage to the historical and literary heritage.
Book Vandalism
Stephen Blumberg's preferred method of theft was to pose as a legitimate researcher or collector and gain access to a library's collections. Once inside, he would use a razor blade to cut out the pages of the books he wanted or remove identifying library markings and smuggle the books out in his clothes or bags. (This method was also used by Thieves of Book Row). This method is particularly harmful to the books, as it damages the pages and the integrity of the work.
Online Piracy
Online piracy is another common method of book theft. Digital copies of books are illegally acquired, downloaded, and shared on the internet, violating copyright laws and undermining the publishing industry's economic viability and the authors' creative and intellectual property rights. In recent years, some thieves have posed as publishers by emailing authors using a domain name similar to that of a publisher (penguinrandornhouse) to obtain manuscripts. Publishers and authors can protect their works against pirates by using digital watermarking, encryption, and anti-piracy software.
Book theft is a serious crime that can have legal consequences for the perpetrator and significant losses for the victim. Stephen Blumberg is a notorious example of a criminal who used multiple methods to steal books from libraries across the United States. Though book thieves are creative, libraries, bookstores, and private collectors can and must take precautions to prevent book theft and protect their collections from harm.