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Library Worker Caught Selling Rare Books on e-Bay

A library assistant at Manchester Central Library was arrested and charged with stealing extremely rare books worth 175,000 Pounds and selling them on e-Bay. 44 year-old Norman Buckley admitted to stealing 455 books and documents while he was employed as an assistant. Manchester city?s Crown Court sentenced Buckley to a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and 250 hours of community service.

Norman Buckley managed to sell 44 out of the over 400 stolen texts on eBay. His bounty included rare books such as a 16th Century book by English writer, Geoffrey Chaucer valued at 35,000 Pounds, as well as a 1654 publication of poet, John Dunne?s Elegies, worth 1,800 Pounds and a 1675 book by William Cambden, entitled ?The History of the Most Renowned and Victorious Princess Elizabeth?. Most of the books were found in his flat, and the British police are working with authorities in other countries to trace and retrieve books that left England?s borders.

Buckley was arrested in his home in March 2006 after an antiquarian book expert spotted a 1654 John Dunne poetry book on eBay with the Manchester City Library seal evident in the accompanying photograph. After checking their employment records, the library led police to Buckley who was arrested and charged with theft from an employer. In his sentencing, the judge stated that Buckley broke the trust that was placed in him and had brought shame to himself and his family.