Anaheim

Device to Curb Book Thieves: To deter people from just walking out with a book from Anaheim libraries, officials plan to install theft-detection systems at all branches. City Council members agreed this week to spend almost $70,000 for the theft-prevention equipment after noting the success of one device installed at the Euclid branch in 1983. The system has “reduced book thefts to almost nil,” Anaheim Public Library Director William Griffith said. Last year, the Euclid branch lost $4,595 in stolen books after installing the system compared to $18,080 in losses the previous year, Griffith said.