Library Security and Safety Handbook: Prevention, Policies and Procedures

Libraries have long been viewed as safe refuge from the stresses of work, school, even home. But as times have changed, so have the realities of library security. Today, libraries of all types and sizes have fallen victim to the threat of serious crime. Because the risk to both staff and patron alike are very real, no librarian can afford to be unaware of library security and safety. Written by Bruce A. Shuman, Adjunct Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of South Florida and the author of a number of books on patron behaviour, the "Library Security and Safety Handbook" is a practical guide to recognizing security risks and preventing problems posed by patrons and staff. Not only does this book offer advice on developing security policies and procedures for staff confronted with a security threat, it describes the major risk factors to libraries, provides assessment tools to identify risks, prescribes preventive measures and recovery methods, and discusses the legal and ethical issues involved in library security. It also discusses ways of recognizing the motives and unique problems some patrons may pose and advises on how to be vigilant without being paranoid.