Small Change, Big Problems

Fraud requires three conditions: financial need, rationalization, and opportunity. Lax or nonexistent financial management, along with an “it can’t happen here” attitude, create the quintessential fraud opportunity waiting to happen in many libraries.

This hands-on guide discusses the unique vulnerabilities of libraries, especially as their assets grow. From daily book fines to budgets in six or seven figures, libraries offer ample opportunities for the attentive thief, often someone in a position of trust. Proactively putting financial controls into the library can remove a source of temptation.

Snyder, a long-time fraud detection expert, outlines solutions covering technical aspects of detecting and preventing fraud in libraries, while pointing out ways of modifying entrenched behaviors to reduce the chances of theft.

Outlining specific types of fraud, with tips to combat each, the book also addresses such key questions as:

Why are libraries particularly susceptible to fraud?

Who commits fraud?

How does fraud happen?

What have other libraries done to detect and prevent fraud?

Library directors, business managers, board members, and trustees will find no-nonsense answers to protecting their library’s assets.