(Associated Press) Call it throwing the book at the bookworms.

A Texas man who was arrested for failing to return an overdue library book ignited an online flurry of snarky comments and headlines about the Lone Star State extending its tough-on-crime bravado to books. But such cases aren’t unheard of, and many communities faced with shrinking budgets and rising costs have ordinances calling for fines or even arrest warrants when library property isn’t returned.

In Texas alone, the issue has cost libraries an estimated $18 million.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/unreturned-library-books-can-mean-jail-time/#ljdKpCQpq4zi6zUM.99