The Independent (London) reports on the discovery of major thefts at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (French National Library) in Paris. It is believed that more than 30,000 books, including 1,000 rare and priceless items, have been taken.
A former senior curator of the library, Michel Garel, has been accused of stealing at least 100 rare old books and manuscripts. Garel denies involvement and says that he had warned his bosses over many years that rare items were going missing. Interestingly, he noted that the basement of the library’s old building, was connected by a labyrinth of underground passageways to nearby antiquarian bookshops.
Source: Library Associates LibBlog