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Library theft highlights urgent need for
fencing
THIEVES broke into the National Library at
Waigani last Friday night and got away with 10 computers meant for an
internet café at the library.
The burglars gained entry into the building through the loading bay at
the basement of the building. They cut a lock that was on a chain and
entered the library building.
They then forced open a door leading to the storeroom where the 10 brand
new computers were stored.
The new computers and two existing ones were removed.
Police were called in on Saturday morning and are investigating the
theft.
The chairman of the Board of Libraries and Archives Oseah Philemon has
condemned the theft saying it was a crime against the children of Papua
New Guinea.
“The computers were bought for the internet café and were to have been
set up in the National Library after the major maintenance work on the
building was completed later this year.
“Now, the internet café will be without computers because criminals have
decided to steal them and deny the children of PNG a valuable
educational resource. The building is so easily broken into because
there is no security fencing around it,” Mr Philemon said.
He said last year, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare personally pledged
support for the construction of a security fence around both the
National Library and the National Archives buildings, however, to date,
funds have not been made available for this purpose.
“We must protect this national treasure from criminal attack. Over the
years, the library has been broken into on numerous occasions and this
would continue for as long as there is no security fence around it,” Mr
Philemon said.
“I urge the authorities to recognise that the K7 million
Australian-funded project now underway to renovate and refurbish the
National Library cannot be protected upon completion unless the security
fence is erected without further delay,” he said.
“Every break and enter at the National Library is an attack on the
education and development of the children of Papua New Guinea. It is an
attack aimed at robbing them of their right to education and books. This
is a situation that cannot and must not be allowed to continued,” Mr
Philemon added.
 
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