At Clearwater Public Library we only charge overdue fines.  Back in the Middle Ages they were much more serious about it and often “cursed” offenders.  Check out this common curse: “For him that stealth, or borroweth and returneth not, this book from its owner, let it change into a serpent in his hand & rend him.  Let him be struck with palsy & all his members blasted.  Let him languish in pain crying aloud for mercy, & let there be no surcease to his agony till he sing in dissolution.  Let booksworms gnaw his entrails in token of the Worm that dieth not,& when at last he goeth to his final punishment, let the flames of Hell consume him for ever.”