Library: Nearly Half a Million Dollars in Merchandise Likely Not Stolen

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Jacksonville Public Library says it is missing quite a bit of merchandise.

During routine inventory, they reported $489,467.57 worth of missing merchandise. The library says most of items were purchased from 1985 through 2007.

The report says the city is unsure if the items were misplaced or stolen.

But Wednesday, Stacie Bucher, communications manager for the city's library system, said when the property inventoried does not match the property the system has recorded, the library's inventory specialist must file a police report.

Bucher said she does not believe the missing property was stolen, but shuffled to other city departments. The inventory specialist filed the police report too early, she said.

Also, Bucher said, the values listed for the items reported missing were the values when they were purchased. In some cases, the machines dated back to the 1980s, decreasing the actual value today.

The following branches reported missing items:

• Main
• Argyle
• 103rd Street
• Dunn Avenue
• Mandarin
• Beaches

Missing or Misplaced Items:

• Computers - 36
• Copy Machines - 28
• Table - 1
• Utility Stand - 3
• Readers - 2
• Workstations - 10
• Printers - 4
• Study Table - 1
• Video Cameras - 2
• Projection Panel LCD Notebook Projector - 1
• Router - 1
• Microfiche Machine - 1
• Microfilm Reader and Printer - 1
• Visual Board - 1
• Scanner - 1
• Display Unit - 2
• Lounge Chair - 1
• Four-person Workstations - 4
• Lamps - 4
• Laptop - 1
• Chair with Arms - 3
• Video Disc Player - 1
• Projector - 1
• File Cabinet - 1
• Letter Machine - 1
• Monitor - 1
• Camera - 1
• Display Board - 1
• Control/Feed Unit - 1
• Magazine/Book Rack - 1
• Workstation with Printer - 1
• Catalyst - 1
• Book Browser - 1
• Computer Server - 2
• Officer Shelving - 1
• Power Supplies - 8

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