Unlike Las Vegas, what goes on in the library may not stay in the library.
By Michael Stillman
Everyone knows that stories about sex sell, or at least generate more readers, but when you write about antiquarian books, you rarely get opportunities for such easy success. Now, thanks to the good folks of Cleveland, I am finally getting my chance. Thank you, Cleveland.
There's more going on at the library than meets the eye. At least more than used to meet the eye. According to television station WKYC's website, cameras recently installed in the Cleveland library system to catch book theft have been picking up much more goings on. Not everyone who visits the library goes with the intention of filling some traditional function, such as reading, research, or even stealing books. No, not even the hallowed institution of the library is immune from the smut which has seeped into every nook and cranny of society. Not that it necessarily wasn't always so, it's just that we didn't use to have cameras to record it all.
Among the activities captured by library surveillance cameras, according to the station's report, were a man downloading and printing child pornography, teens having sex on a men's room sink, oral sex and masturbation. Then, there were the more staid crimes, like a patron being robbed at gunpoint.
Evidently, viewing online pornography is a fairly common event. Many libraries place no limitations on web surfing. In some cases, this takes place within a few feet of children, presumably using the library for more conventional purposes. While viewing pornography may be permissible, the head of library security stated that it is never appropriate to masturbate in the library while viewing it. Nevertheless, there apparently isn't any rule against it. Who would have thought to pass such a regulation?
The security chief noted that libraries basically like to leave people alone if they aren't causing a disturbance. I would tend to agree. I'd hate to have librarians hovering over me like car salesmen at an automobile dealership. I'd rather deal with teens making out in the stacks then librarians who act like used car salesmen. Besides which, having sex in the library is essentially a victimless crime, unless you consider the janitor who has to clean up after them a victim. Admittedly, this type of behavior should not go on in front of children, but the kids are all home playing videogames now anyway. They probably wouldn't know what to do in a library, at least not until their old enough to engage in sex.
The purpose in writing this article is not to make moral judgments. As pointed out earlier, it is primarily to increase readership. However, it is also intended to convey one piece of important, nonjudgmental advice. What you do in the library is not as secret and private as it once was, or as you may still think. The rash of book thefts, or slicing of maps and pages from valuable books, has forced librarians to install security cameras. The intention may be to pick up theft, but those cameras are not discriminating. They pick up everything. Whatever you do in there, someone may be watching, and whatever they see, may be captured on film forever, for the whole world to see. What you do may not be illegal, but it sure can be mighty embarrassing. If there is something you don't want your friends, neighbors, or mother to see you doing, don't do it in the library. This, unfortunately, applies to just about any public place now, not just libraries. Big Brother is watching, and he may not punish you, but he sure could humiliate you. Think about that the next time you plan to engage in sex in the library's restroom, or even pick your nose at the library for that matter.
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: APRES DE MANNEVILLETTE Le Neptune Oriental
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: CASSAS Eaux fortes de la Sicile et quelques vues d’Espagne
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: CASSINI DE THURY Carte générale et particulière de la France.
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: JOUY; GARNERAY Vues des côtes de France dans l'Océan et dans la Méditerranée
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: LA PÉROUSE Voyage autour du monde
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: LE GENTIL DE LA GALAISIERE Voyage dans les Mers de l’Inde
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: LICENT Hoang Ho, Pai Ho, Loan Ho, Leao Ho. Itinéraires suivis dans le bassin du golfe du Pei Tcheuly
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: FRENCH SCHOOL FROM THE 19th CENTURY Panorama d’Athènes
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: PEETERS Description des principales villes, havres et isles du golfe de Venise
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: PÉRON; FREYCINET Voyage de découverte aux terres australes
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: STACKELBERG La Grèce : vues pittoresques et topographiques.
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: VALENTINER Atlas des Sonnensystems.
Forum Auctions Online Sale: The Detective Fiction Collection of John Cooper Ending 7th November, 2024
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). The Thirteen Problems, first edition, The Crime Club, 1932. £15,000 to £20,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Dumb Witness, first edition, 1937. £3,000 to £4,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Cards on the Table, first edition, The Crime Club, 1936. £2,000 to £3,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: [Carr (John Dickson)], "Carter Dickson" and John Rhode. Drop to his Death, first edition, Heinemann, [1939]. £600 to £800.
Forum, Nov. 7: Berkeley (Anthony). Jumping Jenny, first edition, Hodder and Stoughton, 1933. £800 to £1,200.
Forum Auctions Online Sale: The Detective Fiction Collection of John Cooper Ending 7th November, 2024
Forum, Nov. 7: Marsh (Ngaio). Overture to Death, first edition, The Crime Club, 1939. £600 to £800.
Forum, Nov. 7: [Day-Lewis (Cecil)] "Nicholas Blake". The Beast Must Die, first edition, 1938. £750 to £1,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Brand (Christianna). Green for Danger, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author, John Lane the Bodley Head, 1945. £600 to £800.
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Murder is Easy, first edition, signed by the author, 1939. £3,000 to £4,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Sayers (Dorothy L.) Lord Peter Views the Body, first edition, Gollancz, 1928. £6,000 to £8,000.
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Sotheby’s: Edgar Allan Poe. The Raven and Other Poems, 1845. 33,000 USD
Sotheby’s: Leo Tolstoy, Clara Bow. War and Peace, 1886. 22,500 USD
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Freeman’s | Hindman Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana November 14
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Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: GOULD. A Monograph of the Ramphastidae...Toucans. L., [1852-] 54. SECOND ED. $35,000 – 45,000.
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