LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Sorry for the delay in compiling and posting this HIT! My thanks to the 22
wonderful persons who replied and helped me so much.
I am wishing everyone a WONDERFUL Holiday Season!
Here is what I received.
Jim Neal
Media Specialist Park Hill High School Kansas City, MO 64153
Trustee, Mid-Continent Public Library
Webmaster, LM_NET on the Web
We have had a 3M system for 10 years. Before system, we lost between 300 and
400 books a year. The first year we had it, loss was about 20. Last year
walkout loss was 4.
I have just ordered security gates to replace old, worn out ones at each of
my 3 high schools. Actually, one school is new as is its security gate, so
I am now ordering to bridge the gap. The architects put the entry doorways
right adjacent to the exits, and the kids just go out the entry...
Magnitude is difficult to measure, especially since we went to a new
automated system just over a year ago, shortly after I got this job. The
collections were old and it was probably a blessing that some of those old
books sprouted legs. In our most recent inventory, however, we found that
almost 10 % of the titles were missing at each campus. This is
significant...and...it is in spite of the fact that students often did not
know that the security system was working. Staff continued desensitizing as
if everything were normal...
I would answer that yes, security systems reduce theft.
Two of my libraries were on 3M, and one was on Checkpoint.
I have installed the new Checkpoint gates, and am pleased with their
operation. It beeps targeted materials differently depending on whether the
material came in or exited. I have ordered the 3M.
I have on order the 3M gates for two of my facilities, but so far [3-4 weeks
now] have not had any contact from 3M or their rep. Checkpoint's west coast
rep called offering a 'better' deal on his gates, plus that I will NOT have
to retarget the collection if I switch. I am going to give 3M another week,
cancel the 2 orders I have with them [some $15K!] and go with Checkpoint
unless 3M gets off their butts.
Before we installed ours in 1978 (!) we were losing over $7000 in materials
per year (Multiply that by the inflation factor!). If you think they're not
worth it, you're a dyed-in-the-wool, bonafide optimist! Most of what we lose
right now is in move aways.
I had 3M in my high school library for about 13 years. It deters theft; but
does not stop it. Makes people think and probably not do it because it is
there. We did not have a great problem with theft anyway, since books were
not a hot item to want. As you know 3M can be foiled by carrying the book
perpendicular to the gates. With over 1400 students, I would highly
recommend having one. I don't see how any media center with a large
population of students can get by without one. It allows the professionals
to concentrate on their duties instead of watching to see if your expensive
reference books are on the way out the door. A library can be decimated
easily if students are of that mindset. Luckily ours were always very good
with a few minor exceptions.
What is the magnitude of losses at schools that do not have security
systems?
We currently lose about 200 books per year. This has been true in both HS
libraries I've worked in.
* Do security systems reduce theft losses??
It has been many years since I worked in a library without one, but I can
tell you that our annual losses were cut more than half -- down to that 200
per year number from about 500.
* If you have a security system and you think it is cost effective
what system(s) do you recommend?
I've used Checkpoint and 3M. I definitely recommend 3M -- more effective
and easier to use.
I have no security system in the library other than the one that is turned
on a night throughout the whole school. I lost 169 books last year! I have
a small library and that number really made a dent in my books.
Without a security system, we lost 300-500 books per year. This is our
first year with the security system so I can't give you any real help there,
but a library in a school of a similar size told me that their losses went
from 350 to fewer than 50 books per year. To me that makes the expense well
worth the money.
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