Re: Stolen books, answer security sy

[Pat Hauenstein 904-567-6721 <HAUENSP@MAIL.FIRN.EDU>]

BUNKIE,
        JUST HAD TO RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTION.  WE HAVE A SECURITY SYSTEM.
WHEN IT WAS FIRST INSTALLED, WE SPENT 8 HOURS A DAY AT THE SECURITY GATE
TURNING THE ALARM OF AND RESETTING IT. STUDENTS FOUND THE ALARM STICKERS
INSIDE THE BOOKS, AND HAD A FIELD DAY REMOVING THEM AND STICKING THEM ON
EACH OTHER.  AFTER THE FIRST YEAR THINGS GOT A LITTLE BETTER.  ONCE THE
LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PUT IN A SECURITY SYSTEM OURS WAS MUCH EASIER TO DEAL
WITH SINCE THE STUDENTS WERE USED TO IT BY THE TIME THEY GOT TO THE HIGH
SCHOOL.  HOWEVER, OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT IF THE STUDENTS WANT TO
STEAL A BOOK, THEY WILL STEAL IT.  WE USUALLY LOSE ABOUT 300-600 BOOKS PER
YEAR OUT OF OUR 11,000 VOLUME COLLECTION.  THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAS NOT
REALLY CHANGED OUR LOSES.  AS ONE OF OUR MEDIA SPECIALISTS, WHO IS FROM
ALABAMA SAID, WHEN THE COW IS OUT OF THE BARN, WHY WORRY ABOUT IT.  I GUESS
THE BEST ATTITUDE TO HAVE IS THAT AT LEAST, HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE IS READING
THE MISSING BOOK.

PAT HAUENSTEIN
HAUENSP@MAIL.FIRN.EDU