Library security (Essay Sample)

Library security
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A library’s collection is a rare resource of great value to the entire community. Students, scholars and the general public rely on libraries for information as well as entertainment. It is very important therefore that the library be well organized for easy tracing of items needed. In the recent past, libraries have stocked a wide range of items and materials including books, magazines, costly DVDs and CDs. Consequently, there is dire need for effective security systems to be put in place to mitigate the risks of permanent and temporary loss of the se expensive materials. Unavailability of items in the libraries can be a strong indication of unreliability and it is worse if the items have gotten lost due to lack of adequate security. This paper discusses a detailed security plan that suits any local library. The security plan includes the environmental design, emergency and fire protection, physical barriers, security staff, electronics and alarms system.
First and foremost, the in charge of a library plays the most important role in securing the facility. The duties and responsibilities of the director should clearly indicate the intention and effort to secure the library. The director should ensure that all staff is physically secure. The building, immediate surroundings and the library contents are secure. This involves developing and integrating protection systems for emergency, earthquake, flood, fire and other disasters of nature. He/she must ensure every member of library staff is well informed and instructed of their obligations as far as security and safety is concerned, Moore (2010). There should be structural procedures to minimize damage and loss of collections, equipment and furniture. .
The director is responsible for development and integration of asset protection policy to address size and nature of the library, emergency and fire protection, physical barrier protection, key and lock protection, parcel control and personal access protection, electronics and security alarm protection and finally environmental design to prevent crime. There should be frequent auditing for library assets and the protection systems. Auditing should be done by security professionals.
Library security staff should be prepared and ever ready to manage all situations like gravity and provide timely direction during the emergency. A security policy should be prepared to include rules to protect collections, grounds, facilities and people. It should apply to every person regardless of title, rank or position. The library director should thoroughly implement employment practices for continued consistency and comprehensive evaluation of new staff. This will ensure staffs are not overworked. According to United States (1986), fire evacuation as well as emergency disaster plans should be prepared. The plan should include staff directions and instructions, emergency closure and evacuation procedures, staff notification and personal safety responsibilities.
The director should also prepare manual for security operations, emergency situations. This manual is most useful when senior staff is not in shift during a disaster. In case of construction, it should be ensured that the security person responsible follows the projects up to completion confirming compliance with required security and safety standards. There should be enough support between the library emergency agency and the security management. This is crucial when coordinating in case of a disaster.
Emergency and Fire protection
Fire is one of the major and worst disasters to hit any library due to the nature of majority of the collection which are mainly paper. A proper system to deal with fire needs to be installed in the library premises. All staff especially the security should be fully trained on how to respond to fire accidents. The library needs to use efficient fire detection and annunciation systems to help alert everyone in good time. The systems should be well visible and the bells audible enough with clear and unique signals that can be understood easily by majority of the library users. The systems should comply with international standards and equipment approved by relevant recognized testing agencies. During construction, sufficient exit should be provided as well as exiting guidelines to make it easier for rescue assistance. In case the library is in another building, it must be made sure that all exits are safe and accessible in a way that does not hinder evacuation of victims in case of a disaster.
At library site, there is need for a fire service inspection that can plan tactical response, verify compliance of the library with state codes and standards of fire safety. There should be regular review of fire prevention practices. Electrical appliances should be inspected by the fire service before use. This includes using timers with appliances that generate heat and checking compliance with occupancy limits. Electrical appliances should only be used in the staff room to prevent access by unauthorized persons. An evacuation plan should be published and displayed at all available emergency exits, instructions and understandable diagrams be availed to patrons and staff. The plan must include disabled persons.
The management should ensure that all fire detection systems are monitored without fail at separate locations. Only approved equipment should be used and be inspected periodically. Firefighting equipment of desired kind that is approved should be installed including portable fire extinguishers that are regularly inspected and maintained, International Maritime Organization (2001). The equipment must be placed in very strategic positions in the entire library. It will be of no use to install the equipment without proper training of the staff on how to use them. The library director can go further to install an automatic fire suppressing system. The physical layout of the library should be well planned with doors and fire walls as well as automatic door closures. Fire and safety dampers, fan shutoffs should be put in ducts to curd fire and smoke from spreading to the entire library in case of fire. Proper ventilating and conditioning systems should be well installed to ventilate any toxic gas and smoke from fire. It should be ensured that testing and inspection of the entire fire systems be done to meet required standards.
Physical barrier
At the entrance to the library, a physical barrier as well as key and lock security system should be integrated. A policy that requires regular and adequate physical security made to provide guidelines on how to check everyone including luggage and vehicles entering the library compound. There should be proper accountability for locking devices used at the main entrance. The library needs to employ an external perimeter protection, gates, hatches, doors and cabinets. Staff should also be instructed to keep unnecessary or unused windows, doors and exits closed always. Programmable access control system should be installed. The system should use biometric readers, digital cards or keypads to permit staff into the library, Benantar (2006). Very high perimeters are to be used to hold high value locations.
Deadbolt locks that are pick-resistant whose keys are not locally available should be used on the high security perimeters. Window, door and hatch hinges as well as installation screws and nuts for the most secure perimeters must be located on protected sides. The main external windows must use locks and pins that cannot be easily opened if panes are broken. Double doors and windows should be reinforced by bars, pins and posts. Secure hangers, screws and brackets that have locking devices should be used. Physical security requires an effective cardkey system for access control program to aid accountability. The system should be planned and managed by a single individual most preferably a security staff. All cardkeys to most secure areas should be signed for, issued and returned on daily basis. Library management under the leadership of library director should account for, keep written records and physically control the keys. Audit of keys should be conducted annually and replacement be done if necessary. Cardkeys and keys abuse should be minimized by issuance with bit codes and/or room numbers marked on each.
Staff security policy should be made including self-protection, protection of environ and property and duties like vacating the library once fire alarm alerts. All staff shall be required to protect themselves with their property and report any challenges to responsible persons for quick intervention. In the event of an accident, staff is required to fulfil basic safety and security duties. No staff shall be expected to place themselves or their property in danger as they perform basic safety duties. Sufficient personnel responsible for security should be provided at all times especially when the building is in use. Staffing challenges that usually arise in cases of illness, shift change, day offs, holidays, and breaks should be adequately addressed by the manager.
The security personnel are expected to be mentally and physically fit. They should not only be responsible for security only but for customer service to staff, patrons as well as protection of property and life. They are expected to complete all instructions and fair orders and stay on duty until their shift is over with or without presence of their supervisors. In the ca...