Security%20Alert!%20How%20to%20Protect%20People,%20Property,%20and%20Collections

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Security Alert! How to Protect People, Property,
and Collections

• David Greenebaum Russell Palmer
• GOLD/GALILEO Users Group Conference
• 31 July 2009

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Security Alert!

• This online class will teach you the basics in
  securing your institutions collections and
  safeguarding its people
• Next offered September 9-10, 2009
• 200 PM-400 PM
• Register at http//www.lyrasis.org/ gt Classes
  and Events

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Security Alert!

• Topics include
• Special collections materials
• Building layout
• Security during disasters
• Electronic and data security
• Security during construction and renovation
• Protecting materials when they leave the building
• Opening and closing procedures, and issues
  specific to working with students and the public

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A few steps toward a more secure cultural
institution
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The keys

• Key box should be accessible/managed by
  administrative staff
• Keys should be carefully assigned tracked
• Staff are accountable for their assigned keys
• Master area-master keys only assigned to those
  who need them
• Label keyshowever, Cash Register is not a good
  key label!

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Maintain security during renovation

• Identify construction-related personnel
• Establish specific lock-up procedures
• Hire extra security
• Prevent unaccompanied access

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Recognize potential threats

• Problem patrons
• Vandalism
• Noise
• Theft
• Violence
• Weapons
• Sexual predators

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Potential threats

• Family issues
• Divorce/break up
• Domestic situations
• Hold up
• Bomb threat
• Terror

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In the stacks

• Awareness of staff in stack areas
• Section assignments for those who shelve
• Make others aware of your location
• Use two-way radios (relatively inexpensive)
• Have a buddy system shelvers check up on each
  other periodically
• Walkie-talkies!
• Avoid and report suspicious people or situations
  immediately

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Working alone (or with minimal staff)

• Avoid this situation if at all possible
• Keep your duties to a minimum
• Increase your awareness
• Never admit to being alone

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Training with scenarios what would you do?
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Scenarios

• A patron slams the mouse and keyboard around on a
  public computer and mutters something about
  poor library service.
• You find a patron bathing in the restroom
• After asking a teenager to be quiet, she tells
  you to likego shelve a book or something

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Scenarios

• It is time to close the building, and an
  unaccompanied 8 year old child asks for a ride
  home
• A homeless patrons personal odor is offensive to
  everyone in the building
• A man in the building approaches women trying to
  do research to chat them up there have been
  several complaints

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Dealing with the media

• Focus on the solution
• Apologize when appropriate
• Wait until all the facts are in
• Prepare materials
• Seek legal advice before issuing any statement
• Take the high road

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Security Audit

• Take a few minutes to review the security audit.
  Be ready to discuss the following questions!
• Based on the security audit
• What about the audit surprised you? What had you
  not considered?
• What improvements are needed in your library?
• What is your library doing well?

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Questions?
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Thank you!

• Russell Palmer
• russell.palmer_at_lyrasis.org
• David Greenebaum
• david.greenebaum_at_lyrasis.org
• Resource list
• http//www.delicious.com/eduserv/Security