AROUND HIGHER EDUCATION: U. Illinois book thief arrested

The Daily Illini CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (U-WIRE) -- Those with overdue library books might want to learn from the lesson of Sean Harte. After a search warrant, a warrant for his arrest, 43 days in jail and numerous phone calls from librarians, Harte still did not return his overdue University of Illinois library books. Harte began borrowing the books two years ago, and soon he had amassed 174 books -- books he kept in cardboard boxes at his home. All told, the books had an estimated value of $10,000. Eventually, after charges of theft were brought against him, police recovered the books. Harte pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of misdemeanor theft. As part of his plea, Harte must undergo psychological evaluation. He is also banned from the University campus. When Harte missed his first court date, a warrant for his arrest was issued. Harte spent the 43 days in Champaign County Jail for failing to appear in court. Though failure to return library books might seem like a minor offense, Harte's transgression is no laughing matter, according to officials. "Those books had value, thousands of dollars of the property of the University of Illinois," said Champaign County State's Attorney John Piland, who oversaw the case against Harte. "We can't have people taking hundreds of books and not returning them. It's unacceptable." Piland said Harte gave no indication of a motive for the theft. Harte himself could not be reached. Many of the books concerned the politics and culture of India and China. Others, like Principles of Fish Nutrition, appeared not to fit into any single field of study. Harte made no attempt to return the books, even after library officials contacted him. University Police also asked Harte to return the books, still to no avail. "At that point, I said we were going to get those books one way or the other," Piland said. "We got a search warrant and then finally recovered the books from his residence." "All of this could have been avoided," Piland said. "We have no interest in tracking down library books. But obviously, when someone makes no effort to return so many books, we have to get involved."