In a shocking revelation, around 80 valuable 19th-century volumes have disappeared from the collections of the University of Warsaw Library (BUW). As a result of this incident, the library’s director, Anna Wołodko, has lost her position. Wołodko has speculated that Russian auction houses might be behind the theft. The estimated value of the missing collections, based on unofficial sources, could reach up to 300,000 dollars.
The theft came to light when library staff discovered that original book covers contained replicas of the original editions. Upon further inspection, it was found that approximately 80 volumes had been replaced with these replicas. Wołodko highlighted a similar incident that occurred at the National Library of Latvia, suggesting a pattern targeting Russian-language publications.
The University of Warsaw’s rector, Alojzy Z. Nowak, in a statement, announced the dismissal of Wołodko, citing “a lack of proper supervision over BUW collections and not implementing adequate security measures.” The rector has also ordered an immediate review of the library’s lending procedures and increased oversight.
Wołodko, who has dedicated 31 years of her career to BUW, described the theft as the most challenging experience of her professional life. She expressed gratitude to her colleagues and loved ones for their support during this challenging time. The former director, along with her deputy for special collections, Katarzyna Śląska, is considering legal action to restore their reputations and return to their positions.
The exact value of the stolen items remains uncertain, but the loss is undoubtedly significant, both monetarily and historically. The incident underscores the importance of security in institutions housing invaluable cultural and historical assets.
