It sounds like you haven't patched the game yet. I really can't recommend strongly enough that you get the latest Atari patch, and then apply the latest fan patch from the Council of Eight. With those both in place, the NPCs loot a lot less, and sell off a lot of things. Most annoyingly, they sell off their missile weapons without fail, but that can be avoided if you remember to take them away in advance.
As for copying scrolls... that's on the radial menu from the main game screen. I believe it's under the "hand" symbol, but I could be wrong. "Copy Scroll" - easy enough, eh?
