I've got a minor ethical dilemma

[Eshaw99]

Being an avid baseball fan, I've always meant to get around to reading "Ball Four" by Jim Bouton. It's widely regarded as the most important sports book ever written. For those of you who aren't familiar, Jim Bouton was a pitcher who wrote his memoirs in 1970 (while he was still playing). The book caused a firestorm because he basically told everything how it was, and in essence lifted the "butterflies and puppy dogs" curtain off of Major League Baseball. He was vilified by both owners and players. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force him to sign a statement claiming the book was fiction. The San Diego Padres burned a copy of it and left the charred remains in the visitors clubhouse for him. These were all things that I knew as a baseball fan, but I'd never actually read the book. So yesterday, I went to my local library and checked out "Ball Four: The Final Pitch" which is the original book plus two epilogues he wrote 10, and 20 years later.

Here's my dilemma: I opened the book when I got home, and on the blank page inside the front cover, in blue ink, is Jim Bouton's autograph. It's not printed, because if you turn to the back of the page, you can see the indentation of the pen. I compared it with an image of his autograph on Wikipedia and it's identical. So it looks like my local library has a legit signed copy of a very famous and influential book, and they don't even know it (or don't care). The little angel on my right shoulder tells me that when I return the book, I should bring it to their attention. The little devil on my left shoulder tells me to "accidentally" lose the book, and pay the library whatever the cost is to replace it (or, I could buy a new copy of it and return that to them).

So, your job is to talk me into, or out of, either of these options. :whistling:

 

[mr.mac]

My opinion (and please take that for what it is...) is that they clearly don't know it is a signed copy. If so, why the hell would they be checking it out? So, what I would do (again... this is me were talking about here) is to buy a new copy and show up to the library with new copy in hand. Then the story goes, "Sorry, I lost the book and thought I would go ahead and buy a replacement."

I'm sure that you will appreciate the signed copy much more than the librarian would. Jim Bouton would agree.

Good luck!

mac

 

[Rodrigo de Jerez]

The public library provides a great service and you should treat them accordingly.

-Mark

 

[jfields]

x2 on Mr. Mac's thing. Maybe talk to them, tell the story, and see if they will let you replace it.

 

[MiamiCubano]

Food for thought - how would your local library end up with a copy of the signed book? As identical as it may appear, there's no guarantee it's actually his autograph (there's no shortage of great fakes, not simply limited to our endeavor of cigars), outside of verifying it with the man himself, or his publishing house. Perhaps he did a book signing tour and one of those copies made its way through donation or otherwise to your library.

Practically speaking, your local library, even if you told them, would likely care less. Nonetheless, if it were me, I'd advise them of what they have on their hands and, depending on their response, would thereafter offer to purchase the book. Otherwise, I'd return it to the rightful "owners" and have a clear conscience.

 

[AVB]

Do what you can live with but remember it reflects who you are.

 

[Ginseng]

The fact that you can ask the question suggests you already know the right course of action. Still, I'm glad that you put it forth to your fellow members.

The authenticity of the inscription is completely beside the point.

Wilkey

 

[Eshaw99]

The public library provides a great service and you should treat them accordingly.

I agree 100%

Food for thought - how would your local library end up with a copy of the signed book? As identical as it may appear, there's no guarantee it's actually his autograph (there's no shortage of great fakes, not simply limited to our endeavor of cigars)

Many of the books they have are donated, maybe that's how. Also, the skeptic in me asks the same authenticity questions that you do.

Do what you can live with but remember it reflects who you are.

Which is why I'll ending up telling them what they have and asking if I can purchase it. My only fear is that I'll get somebody who will tell me they can't sell it, then turn around and hock it on eBay

I can't in good conscience be dishonest about it. I hope they'll let me buy it. Even if it isn't real, it would still be neat to have. I'm not only a fan of the Atlanta Braves, but I'm also an avid fan of the game itself and its history, and this would be cool to have around the house.

 

[Ginseng]

Which is why I'll ending up telling them what they have and asking if I can purchase it. My only fear is that I'll get somebody who will tell me they can't sell it, then turn around and hock it on eBay

I can't in good conscience be dishonest about it. I hope they'll let me buy it. Even if it isn't real, it would still be neat to have. I'm not only a fan of the Atlanta Braves, but I'm also an avid fan of the game itself and its history, and this would be cool to have around the house.

What the next man does is irrelevant to the resolution of your ethical dilemma. However, this does not mean that you cannot take steps to insure that someone does not take personal advantage. For example, ask to speak with the head librarian and inform that person of what this might potentially be worth. They make take any one of a different courses of action. At the very least, they may sequester that book until a decision is made.

Isn't it a kick in the head? That which we desire most is often that which tests us most deeply.

Wilkey

 

[vortex]

Ethically, you already know the answer, of course.

But philosophically it raises a few questions.

Do you treat an organization as you would an individual?

If the users would not be impacted directly from the replacement of the signed article with an unsigned one, does it really hurt anyone?

Does it all really matter if you're standing on a planet that's evolving
And revolving at 900 miles an hour
That's orbiting at 19 miles a second, so it's reckoned
A sun that is the source of all our power
The sun and you and me, and all the stars that we can see
Are moving at a million miles a day
In an outer spiral arm, at 40,000 miles an hour
Of the galaxy we call the Milky Way?

 

[AVB]

The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding
in all of the directions it can whiz
as fast as it can go
the speed of light you know
twelve million miles a minute and thats the fastest speed there is
so remember when your feeling very small and insecure
how amazingly unlikely is your birth
and pray that there intelligent life somewhere up in space
cause theres bugger all down here on Earth.

 

[dk_ace]

My two cents...

It sounds like you already know what the right thing to do is.

If you want to try and obtain the book, explain you're a fan and offer to purchase their copy and give them a replacement. Don't pull any slick story or stupid excuse.

Is that silly signed book really worth your character? They may sell it to you. They may not. Either way, you'll know that you didn't sell yourself out for a baseball book. My pride, dignity, and integrity are worth a lot more than an autographed book.

D

 

[lurch]

I know one thing...If my baseball idol, Nolan Ryan, had signed any book...I'd buy them another one.

 

[hydro-terp]

I'm going to be the bad guy here and say swap it (as long as you intend to keep it and its shear worth is its literal worth) ie no monitary gain in mind. The library exists to share the joy of reading. Everyone already supports it by paying taxes. Its irrelivent whether the next person checks out a signed copy or one bought as a "replacement".

Give it a good home where it will be appreciated and not dropped into endless book return slots and have its spine broken by people who look at books as just bound piles of paper.

Inquiring to buy it opens multiple cans of worms. Do some kind of donation that is of a reasonable amount. Way less BS invloved.

If you cant tell Im a book junkie who holds them in high regard.

PS they ruitinely do book auctions to raise money and potentially some day someone would pay like $3 for it and most likely sell it for profit. Its just the way it is.

Give it a good home.

 

[ChiTown_Huck]

The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding
in all of the directions it can whiz
as fast as it can go
the speed of light you know
twelve million miles a minute and thats the fastest speed there is
so remember when your feeling very small and insecure
how amazingly unlikely is your birth
and pray that there intelligent life somewhere up in space
cause theres bugger all down here on Earth.

Well said.

 

[mr.mac]

Hmmmmm..... Lots of different opinions here. After reflecting a bit and reading a few other posts, it does seem the right thing to do here would be to inquire with the library. If they tell you "no" you could possibly find another copy elsewhere. Actually there is a copy on ebay up for bid right now. My fiance accidentally placed a bid ($1) on it. If she wins the bid... I'll ship you the book for free. Although its got five more days on bid...

mac

 

[bungpipe]

I would ask if I could buy it or get a replacement to trade them for it.

Many libraies(sp) have excess books sales and maybe they don't really want it in the first place.

 

[StinkiMonki]

First off, great book.

Second, it ain't your book so regardless of the authentication of the signature you should return it. However, as mentioned above in other posts, buy a new copy and see if they will let you trade.

Stinki


-Edited for spelling-

 

[hoshnasi]

It can't hurt to explain to the library what they have and ask to buy a new book. Plus you won't have any regrets about it later.

 

[indyrob]

I would buy a new book and bring it in when you need to return it. Explain the situation and have the trade in hand. If they agree, you have the old book. If they don't, you have a new copy.