It explains in some swirly script language, execpt for "5Rs", that there is a fine for defacing the building (I had it translated).
From another part:
> Mr Michelson-Ambelang told the BBC that the removal of books from South Asia through programmes like PL-480 "creates knowledge gaps", as researchers from there often need to travel to the West to access these resources.
The knowledge gap is that America has the books and India doesn’t. If the books had stayed in India, I think that would have closed the knowledge gap because nobody would have them. They would have been lost just like the other copies of the books.
Hot and humid climates result in (historically)rapid decay of plant and animal based writing surfaces
Were the Vedas et al memorized before being written down? Yes, of course. However, regular discoveries are made of ancient manuscripts in various Buddhist temples.
Humidity doesn’t guarantee that something will rot. It makes it more likely.
The item will need to be protected from the natural environment. Or stored in a location that is an exception to the general climate.
Compare that to the Middle East. Where the natural climate assists in preservation.
(I could list many similar paternalistic takes)