Public library—Failure to return, destroying or injuring books and other property—Use of fictitious name or address to obtain books.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-1
in effectSec. 10-12-1. - Public library—Failure to return, destroying or injuring books and other property—Use of fictitious name or address to obtain books.
A. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to detain or fail to return to any public library in the city any book, periodical, map, newspaper, plate, engraving, magazine, pamphlet, manuscript, picture, clipping or other property belonging to any public library in the city after the lapse of 30 days from the date of posting by certified mail of a notice addressed to such person at the last address furnished the public library, which notice may be given at any time after the date on which such person should have returned the loaned property in accordance with the rules of such public library; provided, however that, no penalty shall be imposed in any case where restitution in value shall have been made prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, nor in any case where the return of such loaned property belonging to any public library in the city has been rendered impossible by causes beyond the control of the borrower.
B. It shall be a misdemeanor to give a fictitious or incorrect name or address at any public library in order to obtain possession or use of any property, as described in subsection A of this section, belonging to any public library in the city.
C. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to cut, write upon, injure, deface, tear or destroy any property, as described in subsection A of this section, belonging to any public library in the city.
(Code 1967, § 22-42; Code 1985, § 18-1; Ord. No. 1207, § 1, 3-7-1972; Ord. No. 3009, § 1, 5-13-1980)
Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT10PUPEMOWE_CH10-12PROF_S10-12-1PULIAIREDEINBOOTPRSEFINAADOBBOFetched: 10/28/2026