Article 3. Books of California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 11. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 3.

Books may be taken from the library by the Members of the Legislature and by other state officers during regular office hours.

The Controller, when notified by the State Librarian that any officer or employee of the state for whom he or she draws a warrant for salary has failed to return any book taken by him or her, or for which he or she has given an order, within the time prescribed by the rules, or the time within which it was agreed to be returned, and which notice shall give the value of the book, shall, after first informing the officer or employee of the notice, upon failure by him or her to return the book, deduct from the warrant for the salary of the officer or employee, twice the value of the book, and place the amount deducted in the General Fund.

In case of the neglect or refusal on the part of any officer or employee of the state to return a book for which he or she has given an order or a receipt or has in his or her possession, the State Librarian may purchase for the library a duplicate of the book, and notify the Controller of the purchase, together with the cost of the book. Upon the receipt of the notice from the department, the Controller shall deduct twice the cost of the duplicate book from the warrant for the salary of the officer or employee, and place the amount deducted in the General Fund.

The State Librarian may bring suit in his or her official capacity for the recovery of any book, or for three times the value thereof, together with costs of suit, against any person who has the book in his or her possession or who is responsible therefor. If the department has purchased a duplicate of any book, it may bring suit for three times the amount expended for the duplicate, together with costs of suit.

Every person who injures or fails to return any book taken is liable in three times its value.