THE REGIONAL library in Žilina has been forced to secure its premises with a Sk500,000 alarm system due to increasing book thefts.
"We have lost expert literature like computer publications, encyclopaedias and so on, valued at between Sk1,000 and Sk2,000 per copy," said library head Mária Balkóciová.
She said that the library had later discovered that the stolen books were sold to used book shops. "The shops never reported this to us even though our books are clearly marked with a library sign. We found out by accident," Balkóciová added.
A thorough audit of the library showed that one third of registered book titles were missing from the book shelves.
