Money laid on a microfilm copier was stolen in the time it took to get a librarian's assistance with a jammed machine. As more and more people become interested in researching their family, crowded facilities are to be expected. We all need to do our part to keep genealogy a fun pastime. It is important to remember that libraries and archives are public buildings. All of the books and equipment are for the use of all researchers.
Most facilities have rules to help ensure fairness.
Here at the Bay County Public Library we have a one hour limit on our microfilm readers when patrons are waiting. It is also a bad idea to move someone else's materials without permission. They may have valuable documents or photographs among their papers that could be damaged. And please remember that libraries and archives are public buildings and that not everyone is as honest as we would wish. Keep your purse with you at all times.