INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — An Iowa woman has been arrested because she failed to return a library book.

Thirty-nine-year-old Shelly Koontz was arrested Thursday night on a fifth-degree theft charge.

She is accused of keeping “The Freedom Writers Diary,” which she checked out from the public library in nearby Jesup in April.

Police say the book — which is about a high school teacher’s effort to inspire students to write — is valued at $13.95.

Court records show library employees tried repeatedly to contact Koontz by phone and mail and a police officer even visited her home last September.

Officials at the Buchanan County jail say Koontz was released after posting $250 bond.