Bath police are investigating the theft of more than $1,200 in cash that had been donated, mostly by young children, to buy materials for the Patten Free Library’s Children’s Room.

Library Director Lesley Dolinger told police that the coins and bills were in a large Plexiglass container on the library’s circulation desk. The “Make Change for Patten” fundraiser was to end once the container was filled with money, and the container was three-quarters full when it was stolen early Friday morning. The fundraiser began Sept. 1.

Bath police said someone apparently broke a window in the circulation department to gain access to the library. The library has surveillance cameras, and police say the images indicate there was one burglar.

“I am devastated by this criminal act,” Dolinger wrote on the library’s Facebook page. “The money was used to buy materials for children. If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Bath police.”

The comments on the library’s Facebook page were a mix of sadness and anger.

“That’s so horrible! I was there one day when kids were emptying change into it and they were so excited?” one person wrote.

“Hard to believe. Can only imagine how desperate the person must be,” another wrote.

No arrests had been made as of Monday night. Anyone with information regarding the theft should contact Bath police at 443-5563.

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com

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