Library security

Book thefts multiply in libraries

Unlike museums that keep collections permanently on display in places open to the public (and therefore permanently supervised by a security staff), libraries of local authorities keep their heritage collections in stores and reserves forbidden to the public.

This peculiarity explains why, especially in the case of documents rarely disclosed, the observation of a theft can occur long after it has been committed.

What to do in case of theft?

As soon as a library finds a theft (even if this report of theft occurs long after it was committed), it must, as soon as possible :

1. Ask the mayor of the municipality or the president of the EPCI (public inter-municipal cooperation institution) of file a complaint, on behalf of the local authority that owns or assigns the property, at the police station (which will transmit the complaint to the Public Prosecutor) or directly (by simple letter) to the Public ProsecutorIn this case, a documentary file (precise descriptions of documents, photographs) must be sent to the magistrate.
   N. B: this procedure is valid for funds belonging to local authorities and state funds. For State funds, the DRAC concerned may also lodge a complaint on behalf of the State.
2. Alert the Central Office for Combating Trafficking in Cultural Property (OCBC) by giving him any useful information (circumstances of the flight, operating procedure, etc.) and by sending him a precise and detailed documentary file (descriptive records, photographs), for recording in the TREIMA II database
3. Alert the National Gendarmerie Central Criminal Intelligence Service (CISC) indicating all useful information (circumstances of the flight, operating procedure, etc.) and transmitting to him a precise and detailed documentary file (descriptive records, photographs), for registration in the JUDEX database.
4.  Inform the Regional Prefect (in accordance with Article R 311-2 of the French Heritage Code) and DRAC concerned, Inspector General for Education, Sport and Research (IGSR) in charge of the region where the library is located, and the Book and Reading Service (SLL).

Contacts:

Ministry of Culture - Book and Reading Service - Heritage Office
182, rue Saint-Honoré - 75033 PARIS Cedex 01
Tel: 01 40 15 75 29 and 01 40 15 74 25
Fax: 01 40 15 74 04
Email: patrimoine.sll@culture.gouv.fr

Central Office for Combating Trafficking in Cultural Property (OCBC) of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police
101, rue des Trois Fontanot - 92000 NANTERRE
Email: sirasco-ocbc@interieur.gouv.fr

National Gendarmerie Central Criminal Intelligence Service (CISC)
5, boulevard Hautil - 95000 PONTOISE
Email: art.domu@gendarmerie.interieur.gouv.fr