Supposedly, the defendants have shown remorse for their actions. One was reported to have said, "I'll be a better person for this (the punishment)." Who knows? It's hard to say how six years in prison will affect four young people who appear more like immature, selfish fools than hardened street criminals. Certainly, they will be changed. Hopefully, they will have learned something. Even more importantly, we hope their hard lesson will be instructive to others who think to emulate their ways. Library theft seems to be becoming a growing problem as the value of rare books and maps continues to escalate, and thieves expose weaknesses in library security. Unfortunately, we expect their lesson will probably have about as much effect on other would-be criminals as those warnings about AIDS have on young people's sexual behavior. Not all that much. Substantially tighter security is likely the only way to secure these valuable resources from those who see easy money lining the library shelves.

As for those young men, it could have been worse. Judge Jennifer Coffman did enforce the suggested federal sentencing guidelines, but picked the sentence at the lowest end of the spectrum. Much opportunity for advancement has been lost for these young people, but they will get another chance in life. Still, 2012 is a long way away. That's when we will be deciding whether to re-elect President Hillary Clinton, or President McCain, or is it President Guliani, Edwards, Jeb Bush, Cheney? Our world will have moved forward, but theirs will stand still.