Fourteen Dell laptop computers, on loan from the Dell corporation as part of the ITC computing program, were stolen from Alderman Library between Sunday, April 13 and Monday, April 14, according to University Library spokesperson Charlotte Scott.
The laptops were taken from a secured area of the library, possibly while the library was closed after midnight Sunday -- the only time the computers were not in use by students.
"They went to the locked area where they were kept and the lock had been broken and the machines were gone," Scott said. "There were 14 laptops stolen."
Students still are able to check out laptops at Alderman Library, but there are not many available. Students are being turned away and told to go to other libraries, such as Clemons, to use their machines.
Officials are unable to disclose specific details of the theft, such as the location from which the computers were stolen, because the case is still under investigation.
"The case is active and open and our investigators are working on it," University Police Sgt. Melissa Fielding said.
The police do not have any suspects in custody at this time.
According to Scott, the laptops were marked so they would be easy to locate if they were misplaced.
"They had property stickers, orange-ish/reddish in color, denoting that it's University property," Fielding said.
In times of tight budgets, Scott said the University realizes the extent of the damage done when students are not able to use the computers.
"It's a significant loss for the students both for the work they have to do and the pressure that they are under," she said.
The computers were an important library resource that will be difficult to replace, she added.
"It's also a significant financial loss for the library," Scott said.
Other libraries have allowed Alderman to borrow computers and will continue to do so until something can be done about replacing the machines.
"The other libraries have been loaning laptops to Alderman as they can," Scott said. "So there are laptops available for students to use, just not as many as there were before the theft occurred."
Though University officials hope the computers will surface in reparable shape, they are considering different means of replacing the laptops.
The officials are looking to the University's insurance to cover replacement computers. The University also is examining the budget to see if it can replace the laptops, Scott said, adding that the University understands the need to replace the missing items.
"It's a service we believe in strongly for students and we know students value it so we'll try our best to make up for the loss," she said.
The University police ask that anyone with information contact them at 924-7166, or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.
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