[Prodev] Disruptive SRLs- security issues- metal detectors

[Amy Hale]

John-

You are right- when people think they are being watched/screened, they behave
much better. We have people who come through our 3M machine (which is supposed
to help us to keep the library materials in the library), and many of our
patrons think that they are passing through some kind of modern Xray or scanning
machine. I don't disabuse them of that notion. And they do behave somewhat
better than those who know it will only go off if you have an item with library
tattletape on it and not if you are carrying a weapon. Not a comforting thought
for us librarians.

I have often wished we had metal detectors here in our stand alone library, but
I have been advised that (1) they are too expensive to buy and then hire someone
to monitor it and (2) metal detectors detract from the welcoming atmophere we
want to promote. Two of our branches are in courthouses so they have the
advantage of having everyone walking through their doors screened for weapons
and having sheriffs who periodically check in with them and make sure everything
is OK. I tend to envy the branches.

I am not sure that I agree that the expense of metal detectors outweigh the
necessity of having one, but I know it is hard to balance cost with workplace
safety.  On the other hand, wrongful death suits can be expensive too. What is
the security situation at your library?

The second argument - "welcoming atmosphere" may be valid but after 9/11, I
think most people are used to metal detectors anyway and it won't scare away
those who really do have business in the library.

I may be opening a _huge_ can of worms, but what do you all think? Do you have
detectors? Do you wish you had them?

Amy

"Eichstadt, John (Law Library)" wrote:

> Susan makes a good point.   I think the psychological part helps a lot.
> Our patrons go through an airport
> type screening on the ground floor of our building because there are also
> courtrooms in it.   The law library is
> the only occupant of the (top) 17th floor.   We are one of four tenants of
> the entire building  (which includes 14 floors of parking garage).    But
> since the screening began we have had far fewer patrons making a disturbance
> in the
> Library,  even though the actual security is 17 floors away.   Somehow going
> through the security to get in to see
> us,  seems to put them on better behavior.   If I have been told this would
> happen when the screening was instituted,
> I probably wouldn't have believed it:  i.e.,  the fact that not only does it
> check for weapons,  but it also  promotes better behavior in the building.
> John Eichstadt,  Harris County Law Library,  Houston,  Texas            .
>
>         -----Original Message-----
>         From:   Susan Lerdal [SMTP:susan.lerdal@DRAKE.EDU]
>         Sent:   February 05, 2003 10:51 AM
>         To:     prodev@aallnet.org
>         Subject:        Re: [Prodev] Disruptive SRLs- security issues
>
>         At 11:27 AM 2/4/2003, Amy Hale wrote:
>
>         >I especially like the idea of the security cameras. Do you post
> anything
>         >in your library warning people they are being taped? Have you ever
> had to
>         >use the footage (to prosecute someone for example)?
>
>         At the Drake Law Library, we installed security cameras at the
>         entrance/exit doors, mostly to discourage theft of laptop computers.
> We
>         have signs on the entrance doors that say: "The Drake Law Library Is
>
>         Monitored/Recorded 24 Hours a Day." I think it is the feeling of our
> campus
>         security people that the cameras serve more as a psychological
> barrier to
>         thieves. I don't think the intent was that we could actually use the
>
>         footage as evidence.
>
>         ***********************************
>         Susan Lerdal
>         Reference Librarian
>         Drake University Law Library
>         2507 University Avenue
>         Des Moines, IA 50311-4505
>         515-271-2053
>         susan.lerdal@drake.edu
>         ***********************************
>
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--
__________________________________
Amy Hale-Janeke, J.D., M.L.S.
Reference Librarian/Media Coordinator
San Diego County Public Law Library
1105 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101-3904
(619) 531-4437
ahale@sdcll.org
http://www.sdcll.org