November 4th 2023.
Shocking news has emerged of an estimated €500,000 worth of rare 19th century Russian books being stolen from the University of Warsaw's library in Warsaw, Poland. Unbelievably, the books have been replaced with empty covers and dummies.
Rector of the University, Alojzy Nowak, has revealed that around 80 volumes were taken and some have already been sold at an auction, prompting an investigation by prosecutors.
The thefts were discovered in mid-October after staff noticed 8 books borrowed were missing from the library. A thorough inspection of all 19th century Russian books followed, revealing a further 72 were also stolen.
Nowak has said that the books, which all had library stamps, were sold for impressive prices ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of euros per copy. He added that the books were of immense historic and scientific value and their loss is irreparable.
Sadly, the library's director Anna Wołodka was dismissed from her job on the grounds of negligence. Wołodka has since appealed this decision, arguing that she took all the necessary steps as soon as she realised the books were missing.
However, Nowak has said that police informed Wołodka a person suspected of stealing from the Latvian National Library last year had visited the Warsaw library within the same 12 months. Despite this information, Wołodka did not take the necessary steps to stop the books from being stolen. These steps included not immediately checking books that had been borrowed and returned by the suspect.
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