Theft Prevention in Libraries

1. Theft Prevention in Libraries

2. American Libraries named theft a top priority problem for 2005.

3. Research on the topic? Almost nothing.

4. Why isn’t more done? Psychology: Thought that admitting you’ve been robbed makes you an easy target Cases in point: The Daily Mining Gazette, (Minnesota) Feb. 28, 2006 “Library theft unacceptable activity” The Tide Online (Nigeria) March 2, 2006 “Security planning and management for libraries and archives”

5. Why isn’t more done? Other practical, economic and social reasons … • Cannot draw on research • Cannot draw on in-house statistics because inventories are taken rarely so the extent of the loss isn’t obvious • Believed to be redundant with EAS tag systems • Measures are expensive • Cameras “spoil the atmosphere” • Keeping circulation records is “un-democratic” • Patrons don’t like bag check at exit. NO WE DON’T NEED TO LOOK IN THAT BAG! “As of January 17, 2006, we will no longer conduct regular checks of bag contents.”

6. Users don’t demand more Because they don’t realize their collections are dwindling. But if they did realize it, the law-abiding would probably support security

7. Security is required because theft is a crime. Shoplifting (common term) Misdemeanor larceny punishable with $500 to $1000 fine (depending upon the state) or imprisonment

8. Outline for rest of talk What is being done currently and why it is often ineffective What could be done that would be effective Levels of theft prevention: Observation and record-keeping (basic) Warning Prevention (highest) How to recover items if measures don’t work

9. What is being done and why it is ineffective Internal Statistically up to 70% by staff who have access to uncataloged books and to unobserved exits Lack of observation in the stacks Library card/system use EAS systems Dupe system System does ring, how should staff respond Silence about consequences

10. What should be done? Depends upon how much risk the library is willing to tolerate… Calculate risk with this equation: Risk = vulnerability x likelihood theft will occur Determine vulnerability by looking; likelihood by asking staff and update Anti-theft measures decrease vulnerability (read susceptibility) to theft

11. Historical digression In medieval libraries, single copy of a handwritten book… • No bookstores to purchase duplicates or inter-library loans… • Therefore higher likelihood of theft and greater risk • And therefore, higher levels of anti-theft protection as shown in the talk for comparison purposes

12. Basic Anti-theft Measures: Observation Check references of employees before hiring Check references of collection users before issuing library card Layout of library (CPTED) Crime protection through environmental design sight lines lighting With CCTV cameras or mirrors Security is everybody’s business. Cf. “If you see something, say something.” Anonymous report line 1-800-45THEFT

13. Basic Anti-theft Measures: Records Stamp new books immediately Mark books with library logo and address Note irregularities in manuscripts Microdot tag with ID number Retain circulation records Keep an up-to-date inventory to know what is missing

14. Moderate Anti-theft Measures: Warning

15. From the medieval monastery of San Pedro in Barcelona For him that stealeth, or borroweth and returneth not this book from its owner, Let it change into a serpent in his hand and rend him. Let him be struck with palsy, and all his members [be] blasted. Let him languish in pain crying out for mercy, & let there be no surcease from his agony till he sing in dissolution. Let bookworms gnaw his entrails [. . .] when at last he goeth to his final punishment, Let the flames of Hell consume him forever.

16. Moderate Anti-theft Measures: Warning Written theft policy • Give copy to employees • Post on library bulletin board in high traffic area Investigate possible wrong doing (IRIMS software for incident tracking) Subliminal audio Follow through punishment warns others

17. Stricter Anti-theft Measures: Prevention

18. Ecclesiastical Library in Hereford, U.K.

19. Stricter Measures to Prevent Theft Users must ask for items Display jewel cases empty Display newspaper or reserves behind circ desk Control exit by bag search or intrusion detection for sneaking out Staff training --have a written policy --respond based on probable cause: having seen --assume people are innocent if EAS alarm sounds EAS systems -- see next slide

20. EM (please rewind) RF, RFID tag and gates

21. What to implement? Depends on tolerance to risk Most security experts agree that security layers are not redundant but rather give greater protection Security consultants available from International Foundation of Cultural Property Protection American Society for Industrial Security What to spend Calculate cost/benefits assuming you’ll lose 3% of your collection, at $45/book. Allow several years to recoup costs because security is a long term investment and the library will continue to realize benefits over time

22. What if measures didn’t work? • Prove ownership with datadot number, library logo or other marks • ACRL Guidelines for the Security of Rare Books and Manuscripts has contact information • Valuable missing books report to Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America www.abaa.org which will alert members to the possibility that an item was stolen

23. Summary Current measures such as EAS are often ineffective What could be done that would be effective Levels of theft prevention: Observation, marking items and record-keeping (basic) Warning Prevention (highest) Items can be recovered sometimes if measures don’t work