Library Safety and Security

Library Safety and SecurityPresented by

Kim Baker andDiana Poliquin

The number one deterrent is AWARENESS!

Staff Security

Never count money in front of patrons.Always try to have someone at the desk.Keep track of Key #1.Dont make bank deposits at the same time using the same routine.Keep purses and personal items locked up and out of sight.

Double-check all rooms before closing.Dont let anyone in prior to opening unless you are expecting him/her.Leave the building together and make sure all cars start.Follow your intuition.

Remember, the less staff you have and the busier it is, the more your awareness needs to go up.

Patron Incidents

The library is not a place for people to come in and do anything they want. It should look and feel like a public library. If not, you will drive away the patrons who are using it correctly.

No two security situations are alike.It takes practice.Ninety-percent of how you respond to a situation is mental.Learn to respond to a situation, not react.

General Rules

Rules need to be clear, concise, and enforced consistently.Enforcement is based upon behavior, never by appearance.Control the environment by constant awareness.Document all security incidents.Review your procedures and train staff.

Rule breakers have three options:

Stop

Choose to leave

Choose not to stop or leave

Things to Never Say:

Hes harmless.

Hes never been a problem before.

Weve always done it this way.

Other libraries have always done it this way.

Approaching Patrons

Approach with confidence and a belief that the patron will comply.Start off nice and get more authoritative, but never the other way around.Remind the patron about the rules to give him/her an out.Approach with a sense of caution.Dont invade the patrons personal space.Do not touch anyone.Call the police immediately for patrons under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Be deaf to insulting language.Be ready to be accused of prejudice/bias. Its not about you.Make sure you know the difference between suspicion vs. guilt.Never hesitate to call the police.

Computer Violations

For anyone looking at pornography or violating policies, put him/her out for at least a day. Warnings dont work and are too hard to keep track of.Ban permanently for repeated offenses because the patron wont learn and will cause other kinds of problems.Dont let the patron look at whatever he/she wants to because you need to control the environment.

Unattended Children

If a child is in imminent danger of getting hurt, approach him/her in a way that shows nothing but sincere concern for his/her safety.Be low key and avoid touching the child.Smile so the parent wont think you are implying that he/she is a bad parent. If the parent becomes defensive, he/she will get angry, then you will have an unpleasant encounter.

If you dont know where the parent is, ask the child. If there is no response, get another staff member to come over so that you are not alone with the child and then try to locate the parent.When you locate the parent, you could comment that you see energetic kids get away from their parents all the time because theyre excited to be in the library.

Remember:Security is everyones business!