Book Thief Clears a Few Shelves

Value, Subject Matter of 150 Library Texts Varied Widely

The biggest single theft of books in the history of the Fairfax County public library system took place this month at the bustling new branch in Fairfax City, officials said.

On Sept. 9, according to a police report, "an unknown suspect" stole an estimated 150 books from the Fairfax City Regional Library, which is part of the county system.

"We have never had this many books stolen at one time before," said Mary Mulrenan, spokeswoman for the library system.

As of last night, it appeared that the thief remained at large, and the books were still missing. A motive in the theft remained unclear.

"It is hard to tell whether the theft was for personal use or to sell or as gifts" or for some other purpose, Mulrenan said.

The most valuable of the books were reference works costing $40 or more, she said. Some of the others were worth as little as $5.95.

Subjects varied, as well: Finance, parenting, fashion, self-improvement and instruction.

One book was titled "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff about Money." Another was "25 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living." Another was "101 Secrets a Good Dad Knows."

Several of the books, Mulrenan said in an e-mail, were clearly for women and covered topics such as dress.

According to information from Fairfax City police, the manager of the branch at 10360 North St. said "an unknown female subject had been observed removing bar codes from books and placing them in the bag."

Other details about the theft were not available. The library declined to say how the theft was carried out, but said it did have security measures that were circumvented.

Each year, the county library system lends millions of books, Mulrenan said, adding that book theft occurs infrequently.

What happened at the Fairfax City branch is "very, very unusual," she said.

"We've never had anything to this degree."