thedailywhat: Library Police of the Day: A 5-year-old in Charlton, Massachusetts, received the shock of her life when a police officer arrived at her home to collect two overdue library books. “I thought it was way overboard,” said Hailey Benoit’s mom Shannon. “I closed my door, I looked at my daughter and she started crying.”

Charlton Police Sergeant Dan Dowd told local CBS affiliate WBZ that he didn’t want to get involved, but had no choice. “Nobody wanted to,” he said, “but the library contacted us, and the chief delegated, and apparently I was one of the low men on the totem pole.”

The library defended its actions, claiming that sending a police officer to visit the 5-year-old was a last-resort move after many ignored notices. Benoit, who found and returned the overdue books, insists she never received any warnings. [cbslocal.]

Notes from Melissa:

1) Way to encourage reading!

2) That must be one peaceful community.

3) A million dollars that girl never visits a library again — ever.