A library in Alabama has reportedly warned its customers that it plans to enforce strict new borrowing rules that include the possibility of jail time for anyone who fails to return a book on time.
據報道，阿拉巴馬州的一個圖書館提醒讀者們，該圖書館計劃實行嚴苛的新借閱規定，其中包括任何沒有按時歸還書本的讀者將可能被判刑。

In an effort to recoup about $200,000 worth of overdue books, the Athens-Limestone public library will be enforcing a new policy that includes fines of $100, a city jail term of 30 days or possibly both, according to the News Courier.
據News Courier報道，阿森斯?萊姆斯通公立圖書館將對逾期未還者實行新措施，包括罰款100美元、30天的監禁或兩者兼罰，其目的在于彌補之前逾期圖書所帶來的損失，價值達到20萬美元。

Library director Paula Laurita said the harsh new rules were necessary because offenders were effectively stealing from the library and taxpayers.
圖書館館長波拉?勞里塔認為嚴厲的新政十分有必要，因為這些違法者偷了圖書館的書本也是偷了納稅人的錢。

“Sometimes we hear, ‘I lent my library card to my cousin,’” Laurita said. “I just want to ask, ‘Would you lend your cousin your credit card? If they go and get $700 worth of clothing and you’re responsible for the bill, would you do that?’”
勞里塔說：“有時候我們會聽到‘我把圖書館證借給我表弟了’。那我就想問問了，‘你會把你的信用卡借給你表弟么？’如果他們拿著你的卡去買了700美元的衣服而你要付賬單，你還會借么？”

Library customers can end up owing large sums to the library because they are able to take out up to 25 books at a time, which could have a retail value of $25 each.
圖書館讀者一次最多可以借25本書，每本可能價值25美元，因此他們最后可能會欠圖書館一大筆帳。

Anyone with overdue books will have the chance to return them before the authorities are notified.
任何有書逾期未還者都還有機會在權威機構介入前將書還回圖書館。

The library will first notify borrowers with overdue books via text or email. If that is ignored, a certified letter will be sent, warning they have 10 days to hand in their books and pay any fines owed.
圖書館首先會用短信或郵件通知借書逾期未還者。如果沒有收到回復，圖書館會發一份掛號信警告他們，他們將有十天的時間還書并交罰款。

If that letter is not acted on, a court summons will be issued, WAAY 31 reported. Ignoring the court summons could result in another fine and jail time.
據WAAY 31報道，如果這封信也沒起作用，那么就會發出法院傳票。對法院傳票置之不理則會導致另外的罰款和監禁。

Laurita said children would not be targeted by the policy.
勞里塔說孩子不在政策針對范圍內。

英文來源：衛報
翻譯：王慧雯（中國日報網愛新聞iNews譯者）
編審：yaning