The Little Free Library has been stripped again

[neadods]

I refilled the LFL on Sunday afternoon. Not all the way full, because I thought that was the trigger for the last book grab, but apparently not, because I noticed coming home today that it was stripped down to all but the audiobooks. For all I know, it was stripped yesterday; I was at Watson's Tin Box and rushed home and to bed after.

The sheer selfishness just staggers me, it really does. Whoever is doing this is taking them before anyone else in the neighborhood has much of a chance to even look.

It's pouring buckets, so I'm not going to rush out and refill it - and I'm damned tempted to refill it with nothing but audiobooks! I could!

Ironically, yesterday there were three bags of books on my porch when I got home. I cannot figure this neighborhood out.

From now on, I'm going to be putting out about 15 books at a shot. That's a good week's "taking" and if someone has decided they get to take them ALL the moment they're available, well, at least I won't run out of books.

ETA: That's twice this month it's been stripped. Help me think of a sign to post in there. "To whoever is taking all the books at once..."

ETA 2: I just thought "Fuck you anyway" and took out a bunch of cookbooks and audiobooks. You know what? They even took my notebook. The one where people leave me messages.

Comments

[tavella.livejournal.com]

If it wasn't for the audiobooks staying, I would wonder if it's someone who is doing a circuit and stripping all the local LFL to resell at used book stores. Unless audio books don't have any resale value? Is there a LFL mailing list? You might check to see if any other locals are having the same issue.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I've asked on the main LFL playlist. I wonder if other libraries are being stripped too.

But... it's the taking of the notebook that just has me reeling. WTF? Not a book!

M suggests that next week I leave a sign saying "if you need that many free books, go to the Book Thing in Baltimore" and give the address.

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

I like that idea.

[suze2000.livejournal.com]

My first thought was that all the books are being taken for second hand stores, but that's just evil and wrong. Have you looked at the bags of books? Are they somewhat equivalent? It may be that the "stripper" is returning them in kind?

It would be great to catch them in the act and speak to them, but failing that, you could put up a polite notice requesting people to only take a couple of books at a time?

[raqs.livejournal.com]

The notebook is over the edge. Reminds me of part of a Heinlein novel where some lowlives stole a headstone. Some people just need killing.

[amethyst-hunter.livejournal.com]

A sign saying the following: "This corner is under video surveillance", perhaps? Sure, it's not, but *they* don't know that...

[calenorn.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! Find an old dead computer camera! It doesn't have to actually work to make someone think twice.

[glamazonwarrior.livejournal.com]

Maybe put a mirror tile behind the books.

I've read that seeing one's reflection deters people from engaging in such behavior.