Scholastic book publishers and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling sent a strongly worded contract to all libraries in anticipation of the seventh and final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The contract states that all libraries must limit the number of employees who handle the books before the July 21 release and provide names and contact information for each branch manager. And failure to keep the book under wraps until July 21 could exclude libraries from receiving future embargoed titles. "We acknowledge and agree that any such violation will cause irreparable harm to Scholastic and the author, J.K. Rowling, and that monetary damages will be inadequate to compensate for violations," the contract states.

In other words: no peeking!  NONE!  Or no one in your town will ever find out whether Harry and Ginny end up together, whether Harry defeats the evil Lord Voldemort or is defeated by him, what the deal with Snape is, or how Harry and Neville's mysterious connection will finally play out (I'm convinced that it will figure into the new book somehow). 

Scholastic spokeswoman Kyle Good says such strict guidelines are necessary to respect what J.K. Rowling calls a "magical moment" for children.  "When you have a print run of 12 million books that you're sending out into the world, just in the U.S. alone, and you do want to preserve a very special moment for children, you take whatever precautions you need."

I love the Harry Potter series as much as anyone else, and I pre-ordered my Deathly Hallows copy from Amazon at least 6 months ago... but seriously?  Contracts and proposed sanctions - for libraries?  Isn't that taking it a bit too far?  Does the same contract apply to private bookstores and giant superstores?  I know J.K. Rowling is now more successful than god... but jeez, man.  Take it easy!