University of Cincinnati. Libraries

Stephen Carrie Blumberg stole about 23,600 books from 268 libraries in 45 states, two Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia including the University of Cincinnati. Blumberg did not sell any of the books he stole, but instead stored them in his home in Ottumwa, Iowa. Blumberg raided libraries throughout the United States over a thirty year period. He was especially interested in Americana, but also stole a large number of incunabula. He was found guilty on four counts of possessing and transporting stolen property. Blumberg was sentenced to six years in prison and a $200,000 fine.

The Blumberg case changed the FBI criteria for intervening in local theft cases. The FBI would now intervene in cases where the theft exceeded $50,000. Prior to the Blumberg case, the FBI would only take part in investigations that involved interstate commerce.

Nicholas A. Basbanes provides a detailed description of Stephen Blumberg, the trial, and the books he stole in A Gentle Madness available in the Archives and Rare Books Library Reference Section and in Langsam Library. Consult the library catalog for more information. Further background reading on the history of book theft in the United States can be found on the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)'s Rare Books and Manuscript's section website: http://www.rbms.info/committees/security/index.shtml