It seems people are now taking out more than obscure science journals from Cabot Science Library. When the staff opened the library on the morning of October 8, they discovered that a recently-purchased computer and its monitor and printer were missing.

"It's disconcerting. [It was] a brand new computer," said Lynne M. Schmelz, acting librarian of Cabot.

And the library was not the only victim. On the same night, two Dell computers and a mini-hub disappeared from the offices of FAS Computer Services, located adjacent to the library in the Science Center.

Arts and Sciences Computer Services Director Franklin M. Steen said he believes the thief or thieves entered the offices from the library through an emergency door which connects the two areas. Recent construction extended the offices into space previously occupied by the library.

He added that some details of the security breach are unclear.

"Apparently the library had turned off their alarms. We don't know what happened, but the alarm didn't go off," he said. "The alarm went off in the morning. That was when it was being turned back on or being tested."

Steen said he did not know whether the alarm was left unarmed when the library was closed or if it was deactivated in the course of the theft. He was unable to speculate about why the alarm might have been left off.

The estimated value of the stolen property totals $11,450.

Cabot's computer, also a PC manufactured by Dell, had been in place for only a week at the time of the theft. It was one of three identical machines purchased for Cabot as part of a three-year plan to upgrade sys- tems in all College libraries.

Harvard Police Sgt. Richard Maderos declined to comment on any possible leads. "The investigation is ongoing," he said.

In response to the theft, Cabot has taken measures to tighten security. Front door locks have been changed, as have security codes and opening and closing procedures.

"The main thing...is that we've really tightened security here and we're hoping to prevent this kind of thing in the future," Schmelz said.

Maderos said he has full confidence in Cabot's security system at this time.

"I believe the system has been looked at by professionals, and if there were any inadequacies, they've been addressed," he said.

He declined to comment on security measures taken in response to the theft.

Steen also said he was unable to reveal specific security changes, but confirmed that new measures were being taken.

Schmelz said Cabot's stolen computer will be replaced, although it is currently unclear who will foot the bill for the $3600 replacement.

And Steen said that his department's loss went beyond the sheer monetary value of the equipment.

"Thefts are not just thefts of the value of the equipment. They are very upsetting because of the work that people have put into [these machines]," he said