§ 39-3-301. Short title
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Library Materials Security Law.”
§ 39-3-303. Unauthorized removal or wilful mutilation of library materials
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove library materials, without authorization, from the premises wherein such materials are maintained or to retain possession of library materials without authorization. It shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully mutilate library materials.
§ 39-3-305. Definitions
As used in this article the term: “Without authorization” means contrary to rules which set forth policies governing access to library materials and include eligibility for library patronage and lending procedures. “Library materials” means books, manuscripts, letters, newspapers, court records, films, microfilms, tape recordings, phonograph records, lithographs, prints, photographs or any other written or printed […]
§ 39-3-307. Applicability of article
The provisions of this article shall apply to all libraries, museums, archives and other depositories operated by an agency, board, commission, department or officer of the State of Mississippi, by private persons, societies or organizations, or by agencies or officers of municipalities, counties, school and junior college districts or of any other political subdivisions of […]
§ 39-3-309. Penalties for violations of § 39-3-303
Any person who violates the provisions of section 39-3-303 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
§ 39-3-311. Construction of article; effect of acquittal or conviction upon subsequent proceedings
The provisions of this article are supplemental to other criminal statutes. An acquittal or conviction obtained under this article shall not be a bar to civil proceedings or actions arising from the same incident.
§ 39-3-313. Detention and questioning of suspects
Any person employed by a library or any person charged with the supervision thereof with reason to believe that any person has committed or has attempted to commit any offense defined in section 39-3-303 of this article or if any person is believed to have concealed upon his person or within his belongings any library […]