Authorities threw the book at 12 people Tuesday, accusing them of checking out pricey textbooks from a public library system outside Washington to sell for quick cash.
The Prince George's County Memorial Library System in Maryland lost $87,000 worth of material from thefts between November 2008 and July 2009, county prosecutors said.
Textbooks and other works were quickly sold to used book stores at a fraction of their original value, investigators said.
Prince George's County authorities said the suspects, at least some of whom were related, withdrew close to the limit of 75 books from 12 of the library system's 18 locations. Each is charged with theft over $500 and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Authorities said all 12 charged Tuesday are Maryland residents. They range in age from 20 to 51.
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