Security in the Public Libraries of Illinois

Michael Lorenzen

Introduction

Educational institutions are not always safe and secure places. Violence and property crimes can and do occur. Public libraries are no exception and they are subject to a wide variety of security concerns. These include the theft and mutilation of library materials as well as the harassment of library staff and patrons by disturbed individuals. Libraries have responded in many ways to these issues, including installing security systems and writing library security policies.

A survey was conducted in summer 1996 to determine the security issues of Illinois public libraries. The survey examined library perceptions of security as well as determining if certain security problems had occurred in the last 12 months. The survey also asked if each library had an electronic security system or written security policy. The survey was randomly distributed to 50 libraries of differing sizes around the state. Of these, 43 were returned resulting in an 86 percent completion rate. The survey was also addressed to the Head of Circulation at each library as the person in this position normally deals with security problems when they occur.

Perceptions of Security

Question number one asked, "Do you believe that security is a problem at your library?" This question was asked to see what the perceptions of security problems were in Illinois public libraries. While individual definitions of whether a library is having problems with security will differ from person to person, overall those individuals working in libraries with significant security problems will probably know it. The results showed that the majority of libraries (58%) had problems with security. The other libraries (42%) did not consider security to be a problem.

The second question asked, "Do you believe that the mutilation of periodicals is a problem at your library?" Past research has shown that periodical mutilation is widespread and can be damaging to a libraries' collection. ¹ While one study has shown that academic libraries are more vulnerable to periodical mutilation than are public libraries, looking at an academic study on periodical mutilation can show how widespread the problem can be.² A study of academic libraries showed that 62.5 percent of university libraries in one state believed that periodical mutilation was a problem.³ Individuals working in public libraries in Illinois did not identify periodical mutilation as a problem in the same numbers. However, a considerable number of libraries (42%) did consider this a problem.

Question number three asked, "Do you believe that the theft of library materials is a problem at your library?" One recent study showed that 12 percent of the library books in Ohio were missing, while only 3 percent had become unusable due to deterioration.⁴ This demonstrated that book theft was a bigger issue for libraries than book preservation. Library employees can also steal from the library.⁵ Individuals working in public libraries in Illinois tended to agree that book theft was a problem. The majority (56%) believed that book theft was a problem while a fewer number of libraries (44%) did not.

Library Security Incidents

The next three questions in the survey asked about actual library security statistics. Question four asked, "Was there an instance in the last 12 months where a patron or staff member was arrested or expelled from the library for periodical mutilation?" Question five asked, "Was there an instance in the last 12 months where a patron or staff member was arrested or expelled from the library for the theft of library materials?" Libraries reported the same responses for both. The majority (74%) had not arrested or expelled anyone from the library for either behavior, while only 26 percent had.

However, question six revealed a more widespread problem. Question six asked, "Was there an instance in the last 12 months where a patron or staff member was arrested or expelled from the library for threatening or harassing library staff or patrons?" Harassment of library staff and patrons had occurred at the majority (72%) of libraries. This makes threats and harassment of individuals the biggest security problem in the public libraries of Illinois.

Electronic Security Systems

The most widespread response to theft and periodical mutilation across the nation has been the installation of electronic security systems. One past study

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showed that theft and periodical mutilation decrease significantly after the installation of an electronic security system.⁶ Further, another study showed that those libraries that use electronic security systems to stop and punish thieves are highly effective at protecting their collections.⁷

Question seven asked, "Does your library have an electronic security system?" The result was surprising in that only 53 percent of public libraries in Illinois had electronic security systems. As evidence indicates that electronic security systems are common and work nationwide in libraries, the fact that 47 percent of public libraries did not have electronic security systems was not expected.

Security Policies

Written security policies are important because they help staff identify and deal with security problems. One past study found that library staffs are not educated as to what a security problem is and how to deal with it.⁸ Another study found that library staffs do not enforce library rules.⁹ This appeared to be due to the fact that the staffs did not know what the rules were.

Question eight asked, "Does your library have a written security policy that defines what a security problem is and how to deal with it?" A small majority of libraries did have a written security policy (53%), although a large number did not (47%). The positive response to this question is much higher than in the academic libraries of Ohio, in which the majority of libraries did not have a written security policy.¹⁰

Conclusions and Recommendations

There is a sense around the public libraries of Illinois that security is a problem. Over half of the responding libraries in the survey believe their library has a problem with security and material theft. Almost half believe that mutilation of periodicals is a problem in their library. This perception of security problems is validated by other questions in the survey. Over a quarter of the libraries had arrested or expelled a patron or staff member for material theft or periodical mutilation in the 12 months preceding the survey. Nearly three-quarters of the libraries had arrested or expelled a patron or staff member for threatening or harassing library staff or patrons in the 12 months preceding the survey.

The harassment of library staff and patrons is the biggest security problem currently facing public libraries in Illinois. However, libraries are not well prepared to face this issue. Deciding when an individual has crossed the line and is being disruptive enough to warn, expel or have arrested is a difficult decision in some instances. A well written security policy defines what this problem is and how to deal with it. Yet, only a little more than half (53%) of libraries have such a document. If library staffs do not know how to define or deal with security problems due to a lack of a written policy and training, how are library staffs going to deal effectively with threatening and harassing patrons?

Electronic security systems are widespread and effective in deterring and catching thieves. However, less than half (49%) of the public libraries in Illinois actually have these systems. While many of the responding libraries may be small and have little need for an electronic security system, most libraries that do not currently have an electronic security system would benefit from installing one.

Library security is a complex but important issue. The safety of library staff, patrons and the library collection are all at stake. The public libraries of Illinois have some security problems, and many libraries have responded by writing security policies and installing electronic security systems. Unfortunately, security problems will probably not disappear in the future, and libraries will need to continue to be aware of what is occurring in the library and new ideas in dealing with different security problems.

Footnotes

1. Periodical mutilation: The insidious disease. Gouke, M. N. Murfin, M. Library Journal v.105 p.1795-7 S 15 '80

2. Project library ripoff: A study of periodical mutilation in a university library. Hendrick, C. Murfin, M. College & Research Libraries v.35 n.6 p. 402-4 '74

3. Security problems of Ohio academic libraries. Lorenzen, M. ERIC Document #ED367341 '93

4. Book deterioration and loss: Magnitude and characteristics in Ohio libraries. O'Neill, E. T. Boomgaarden, W. L. Library Resources and Technical Services v.38 n.4 p.394-408 '95

5. The thief in our midst. Bahr, A. H. Library & Archival Security v.9 n.2/3 p.35-41 '89

6. Project library ripoff: A study of periodical mutilation in a university library. Hendrick, C. Murfin, M. College & Research Libraries v.35 n.6 p.402-4

7. Get tough on theft: Electronic theft detection. Olsen, R. J. Olster, L. J. Library & Archival Security v.7 n.3/4 p.67-77 '85

8. People in libraries as security agents. Sheridan, L. W. Library & Archival Security v.3 n1 p.57-61 '80

9. Ripping off and ripping out: Book theft and mutilation from academic libraries. Mast, S. Library & Archival Security v.5 n.4 p.31-51 '83

10. Security problems of Ohio academic libraries. Lorenzen, M. ERIC Document #ED367341 '93

*Michael Lorenzen, Library Instruction Coordinator, Main Library, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

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