Vandal Edits Swear Words in Library Books

LAYTON, Utah – A self-appointed editor of library books has given new meaning to “purple prose.” The do-it-yourself censor is turning swear words into “darns” and “hecks” – in purple ink.

“They believe it’s within their right to deface public property and impose what they believe on others,” library director Pete Giacoma said.

“It’s a crime. It would be prosecuted if we were to find who did it, by luck or accident,” he said.

Destroying or defacing library materials is a class B misdemeanor. It’s punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but Giacoma said the library usually will settle for restitution.

“I think the worry of the public, every once in a while, is that we’re doing it,” he said. “We’re not.”

Giacoma said in cases like this, the vandals will usually tire of editing books and stop on their own.