Library Materials Theft

Library users are expected to use Library resources appropriately and to comply with state law and University policy.

Materials may not be removed from the Library unless they have been properly signed out by Library staff or otherwise approved for use outside the Library.

Unauthorized possession of materials is a serious offense and may be subject to disciplinary or legal action.

Pennsylvania law (18 Pa.C.S. § 3929.1) specifically defines Library theft:

§ 3929.1. Library theft.

(a) Offense defined. --A person is guilty of library theft if he willfully conceals on his person or among his belongings any library or museum material while still on the premises of a library or willfully and without authority removes any library or museum material from a library with the intention of converting such material to his own use.

(b) Grading.

(1) Library theft constitutes a:

(i) Summary offense when the offense is a first offense and the value of the material is less than $150.

(ii) Misdemeanor of the second degree when the offense is a second offense and the value of the material is less than $150.

(iii) Misdemeanor of the first degree when the offense is a first or second offense and the value of the material is $150 or more.

(iv) Felony of the third degree when the offense is a third or subsequent offense, regardless of the value of the material.

(2) Amounts involved in library thefts committed pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, whether from the same library or several libraries, may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense.

The PennWest Clarion University Judicial Policy (as outlined in the Student Rights, Regulations and Procedures Handbook) covers unauthorized use or possession of university property. Library resources are the property of the University.

As members of the University community, students have a responsibility to be familiar with the conduct regulations found in the Students Rights, Regulations and Procedures Online Handbook, and other University documents. These University regulations include the following prohibitions:

1. acts of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism or cheating on assignments, examinations, or other academic work;

2. misuse or unauthorized use of university transcripts, records, or identification;

3. possession or use of firearms, firecrackers, explosives, or other dangerous substances or articles in or around university and university-supervised facilities or on university property;

4. possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or around university and university supervised facilities or on university property;

5. unauthorized use of or possession of university and university-supervised facilities or property;

6. breach of building security measures in university and university-supervised facilities;

7. falsification of information given during a university disciplinary investigation or hearing;

8. willful obstruction of a university staff member in the performance of duties.

In instances where an individual has attempted to remove Library materials or equipment from the Libraries without permission or by circumventing security/check-out procedures, the Library staff has the option of documenting the incident and taking appropriate action.

Depending on the severity of the infraction, the Circulation Department Supervisor (or other designated staff) may elect to contact Public Safety or to file an incident report with Judicial Services.