A bust-sized statue of Albert Einstein, usually located on the second floor of the Robert E. Kennedy library, was missing and considered stolen yesterday afternoon, library dean Michael Miller said.
Although some regular library patrons noticed the statue’s absence for weeks, Miller just recently recognized that it was missing from its location above the rows of newspapers near Julian’s Patisserie.
He then reported it to the University Police Department (UPD), which is conducting an investigation to determine exactly when the bust was taken.
A spokesperson for UPD said that the report was incomplete, but that more information was forthcoming.
Whoever stole it most likely walked out the front door of the library, Miller said. While there are exits on all levels of the library, they are all alarmed and would have caught the attention of the library staff, he added.
Although the incident could simply be a “prank,” Miller said he was disappointed on behalf of all who use the library.
“When someone from our community comes in and takes it, it’s kind of depressing,” he said.
The statue is estimated it to be worth several thousand dollars.
“Einstein is an iconic figure,” Miller said. “(This particular statue) is as a nice, sort of friendly version of a genius. I found it both friendly and inspirational. It’s nice to have works of art available in the places where students do their work.”
While UPD is conducting an investigation, Miller said it would be dropped if the statue is returned unharmed.
“If (the statue) were returned, there’s not going to be any questions asked, there wouldn’t be any questions asked, that would be the end of the (investigation) with UPD,” he said.
Updates will be available as information comes in on mustangdaily.net.
Emilie Egger contributed to this report.