Nearly 100 Children's Books Vanish From Library

Someone has stolen a large amount of children’s cookbooks from the Southampton Free Library.

Head Children’s Librarian Lora Terifay said they have been jokingly referring to the problem as “The Case of the Cookbook Culprit,” but that it really isn’t a laughing matter.

Terifay said she began to notice that the books were missing back in January, when someone from another library requested one of the titles.

“When I went over to the shelf to get it, I just saw this huge gap,” she said.

Terifay said the problem became obvious just a few weeks later, when the library received a shipment of new titles.

“I took four new cookbooks and put them on display on top of the shelf on Friday,” she said. “By Monday morning, every last one was gone.”

Terifay said she checked the computer system and none of the books had been checked out by patrons.

At one point the library had nearly 150 children cookbooks, but now the collection is down to around 50.

“It’s really bizarre,” said Terifay.

Assistant Children's Librarian Amy O'Neill said it is a shame because several of the titles were popular and kids really seemed to enjoy them.

“There was a Star Wars cookbook and a Strawberry Shortcake cookbook— things kids are really into,” she said. “All the books had really cute activities for kids.”

The librarians are asking the community to keep their eyes out. They are asking anyone who spies an errant children’s cookbook belonging to the Southampton Free Library to notify the library.

They remain hopeful that the person or persons responsible will do the right thing and return the books to the library.

“Leave it on a table or put it in the book drop at the side of the building, no questions asked,” said Terifay. “We would just like to have the books back.”

Have you seen a cookbook belonging to the Southampton Free Library? You can contact Lora Terifay or Amy O'Neill at 215-322-1415 ext. 4.