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Are You Safe at the Library? Library Security and Safety Issues
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Close your eyes for a minute. Now think of a library -- any library. What comes to mind? Naturally, different people will imagine different things, but in general, you probably think the library is a quiet place -- a safe haven from the dangers and troubles of the world outside where you can spend quiet hours in study and contemplation. When the average citizen considers using a library, what should never come to mind are any of the following: homicide, rape, sexual assault, simply assault (against staff members of other patrons), robbery, larceny, burglary, grand theft, personal property theft, harassment of staff, obscene phone calls, nuisance calls, indecent exposure, pickpockets, elevator crime, or crimes committed by staff members. Understandably, as with all public places, the library has its risks. Demonstrably, library materials are constantly at risk, as are those who visit or work in library buildings. The sooner we admit this fact, the sooner we can begin to consider ways to minimize and reduce that risk. Bruce Shuman Library Security and Safety Handbook
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Everyone wants to feel safe and admitting that security is at risk makes people uncomfortable. While dealing with library security is a positive step, it may produce fear and keep patrons away. For example, a security guard in the library may make some people feel safe and yet worry others about the library's need for security. Anti-theft devices elicit a similar response. Items will no longer be stolen, but patrons will feel that they are not trusted.
Library security is becoming a major concern for public libraries. Given the range of potential threats to building security and public safety, how can the library be ready to counteract them? The answer is to be prepared. Preparedness involves careful planning. In this web quest graduate students, taking a Public Library Management course, will interactively explore this issue of public library security.
· Is the library safe?
· What are the security risks?
· What steps should the library take to reduce these risks?
For the purpose of this class project, you are to consider yourself to be members of a local public library community. You are members of a special focus group formed by the library board to research safety in the public library setting. The board would like this issue looked at from various viewpoints and from various perspectives. Upon completion of your research you will be asked to present your findings and recommend a security preparedness plan to the library board.
As your group answers the presented questions, your are attempting to achieve the following goals:
- To evaluate the ongoing problem of library security
- To understand the economic aspects of library security
- To develop an understanding of user's expectations
- To develop a security preparedness plan
- Each group member will assume a role in the library community and
research library security from that perspective.
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Library Director |
The director is concerned with the safety of
the building, materials, staff and patrons. The director is concerned
with the laws and liability governing public safety as well the needs and welfare of the library community.
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Library Staff |
An employee is concerned with his or her own
physical and mental safety as well as that of the patrons.
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Concerned Parent and Children |
Parents of the community are concerned about
their child's safety while visiting the library. They are also concerned about
what their child will be exposed to at the library. Children need
to be aware of the dangers of public facilities and services.
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Library Patron |
This group represents all the library's patronage -- the elderly, the disabled, the single person, the college student, the angry patron, and everyone in between. This group should consider the security of the patron as a user and as an abuser.
2. The group's research should include, but not be limited to, the listed resources.
3. Each participant should address each of the three initial questions posed: with respect to their individual role.
- Is the library safe?
- What are the security risks?
- What steps can the library take to reduce these risks?
4. The group will then come together and discuss security risks which affect each represented role.
5. The group should address each goal, resulting in a security preparedness plan for the library. The group should present their findings in the form of a PowerPoint presentation to the class.
Background Information:
- Shuman, Bruce A. Library Security and Safety Handbook: Prevention, Policies, and
Procedures.
- Switzer, Teri R. Safe at Work? Library Security and Safety Issues.
Scarecrow Press,
- Willis, Mark R. Dealing
With Difficult People in the Library.
- Crisis Prevention Institute
- Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
Library Director:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- American Library Association
- WorkplaceViolence Research Institute
Library Staff:
Concerned Parent and Children::
- Child Safety on the Information Highway
- Parents Guide to the Internet
- Child Abuse Prevention Network
- Children's Defense Fund
Library Patron:
- Administration on Aging of the Department of Health & Human Services
- National Crime Prevention Council
For this web quest assignment, you will be evaluated individually and as a group. Your group grade will be based on the content and effectiveness of the PowerPoint presentation. Your individual grade will be based on your contribution to the presentation, your assessment of the security problems and preventive measures specific to your role. The group and individual grade will be worth 60% and 40% respectively.
Upon completion of this web quest, you will have a better understanding of the problems of security and safety facing public libraries today. You will be better equipped to recognize security problems and risk factors to libraries. In your future role as professional librarians, you will be better able to develop security policies and procedures when confronted with security issues.
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As violence and the fear of violence increasingly disrupt our workplaces and drain our resources, libraries must take steps to create a safer environment for staff and patrons. While no library or institution of any size is immune to threat, prevention of most events is possible with careful planning and cooperation.
Stevan Layne
Library Security Brochure,
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CREDITS
Rubric for evaluation was obtained from the
Quotes obtained from Bruce Shuman's book, Library Security and Safety Handbook.
Last Updated April 5, 2005 by Trisha Armstrong