Oops, I am a thief

This afternoon, I went to the library with Mike. I wanted just one book - Stephen King's On Writing. It's an autobiography of sorts on his writing process, which I thought would be an appropriate read given my current interest in writing. Once we got there, I wandered around and found a few other books as well.

Our libraries have these awesome self-checkout kiosks. Scan your library card, scan your books, print a receipt and you're on your way! So I checked out four books, pocketed my receipt and came home.

After returning my books late several times and getting stuck with annoying fines, I've started putting the due dates in my Outlook calendar so I don't forget. This system has worked very well for me - even if I don't return the book that day, at least I get a reminder to go online and renew it.

As I scan down my receipt, I realize that the book I was most interested in did NOT check out successfully. Yet here it sits on my kitchen table.

Yes, I have inadvertently stolen a book from the public library. As soon as I realized this, I emailed the library to ask how to set it right. I have a feeling my account will be flagged and I'll be banned from self-checkout forever.

Stealing! How could you?! Haven't you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church? Captain Whats-his-name? -Homer Simpson