Vandalizing books at University of Kansas’

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Rare books containing ancient and expensive artwork have been stolen or torn apart, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage at a University of Kansas library, according to the campus police force.

The Watson Library has never seen this level of vandalism and theft, library spokeswoman Rebecca Smith said.

Books from the 1800s and 1900s have been damaged or stolen in a series of incidents that started in May, police said. Four other books, including a German encyclopedia volume from 1819, were damaged Sunday or Monday.

Most of the library’s patrons are students, faculty and staff at the University of Kansas, but it is open to the general public.



by the associated press