Question:
In order to return books at the public library, one has to throw/ drop them into the bin of returned materials. (There is no way to put them in gently….) Is this a problem when returning sefarim, which, according to halacha, must be handled gently and not thrown? Plus, other people will drop non-religious books on top of the sefarim when they return their books, or sometimes I have to return non-religious books and I have to drop them on top of the sefarim….
Answer:
The seforim should be returned manually to the library desk or other and not thrown into this box. Throwing and having them heaped together with other books is inappropriate handling of Sifrei Kodesh [Torah Books].
Sources:
Maseches Sofrim 3:12, Shulchan Aruch Y:D 282:5, Bnei Yonah, Y:D 282:5, Aruch Hashulchan Y:D 282:11, Mishna Brura 154:31
