A serious act of vandalism has taken place at the National Library of Australia.

A man has been charged today after throwing a cup of coffee onto the Myer tapestry.

The $300,000 tapestry designed by artist John Young, is titled “Finding Kenneth Myer”. Commissioned by Mrs Neilma Gantner, Baillieu Myer , Lady Southey and other members of the family to commemorate the  life of Mr Myer, who died in 1992 it was formally presented to the library in December.

The tapestry has been stained by the coffee and laboratory staff at the library spent several hours trying to clean it.

Police were not called to the National Library until Tuesday to view footage of the incident, which is believed to have occurred on Monday.

Police found the man still in the area and seized items that were identified in CCTV images.

He has been charged with damaging Commonwealth property and possessing a prohibited substance.

Image shows artist John Young creating the Myer tapestry.

vandalism has taken place at the National Library of Australia