Security Measures to be taken to Reduce Theft, Mutilation and Misplacement of Karnataka State University Library Resources: A Study

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1 Security Measures to be taken to Reduce Theft, Mutilation and Misplacement of Karnataka State University Library Resources: A Study Dr. Jagadish M.V Librarian Sri, D.Devaraja Urs Government First Grade College Hunsur, Mysore (Dist) Karnatka (State) India. jagga.rituparna@gmail.com Abstract - Libraries are pillar of society; no nation can function effectively without the use a library. The libraries of the institution of higher learning such as colleges of education, Libraries play a vital role in the world s system of communication and education. The function of any library is to collect, organize, make available and conserve resources for future use. The aim of any library is to provide access to information resources. Library crime is at an alarming and irritating rate in every part of society nowadays mutilation and book theft as become a common phenomenon in libraries. Crime prevention and security management in libraries is not limited to any particular type of libraries. Anti- social and unlawful activities significantly affects every type of library and information service, whereas theft and mutilation are the major evils encountered at the movement. The present study as attempted to Security Measures in University libraries in Karnataka: a study. Key words: Security Measures, Theft, Mutilation and Misplacement, University libraries Introduction: Libraries and archives are mainstay for nation development and no nation can function effectively without the use of library. Prevention is always better than cure. Libraries and archives prevent damages, stealing of books and safeguard them there by acting as pillars of civilization. Libraries and Archives need to have safety and security measures plans to ensure that staffs are prepared to respond to fire, water emergencies, and other large-scale threats to collections. Protecting the collection should include ensuring good security to prevent theft, mutilation and misplacement. In this context the researcher placed the query to the students: what the measures are of reduce theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources? Proposed Frame Work for Action Library is amalgamation of three tiers: (library customers), resources, (books, journals etc), and library staff (library administrators). The main and basic function of any library is to provide physical access to books. On the other hand, if it is out of the order on the shelf of the library, the likelihood that a user will find a desired book is reduced. Here the issue of theft, mutilation and misplacement arises. A framework of action for collection protection is proposed in this segment. 43 P a g e

2 Library Security Management Teams Library Resource Collections collections Library Users (Customers) ) Library Services Resource Collections Collection Security Management Plan Library Security Management Team Policy Formulation & Implementation Building Protection Library Operation Process Traning of Staff on Collection Development Reviews Updates Risk Assessment Figure -1 Library Security Management Teams It is necessary to recruit well trained senior security staff with capability to lead a responsible security team and building a team in which is capable of collaborative efforts in handling security threats and ensuring the protection of library resources. Review of Literature Arndt Jr., D. A. (2001) says that library staff often encounters problem patrons and this indeed puts fears on other patrons and leads to physical insecurity. This study identifies the risks and also suggests some precautions to be taken including diffusing anger at the service point through improved interpersonal communication techniques and staff training, drafting policies and procedures to help guide staff as they deal with incidents, and improving the security of library buildings. The study concentrates on legal issues of library security. Gautam, V., Behera, P. K., & Singh, M. (2011) outline the importance of digital collections in every organization and say that it has become a major source of information and a preferred mode of acquisition for collection development in a library. The study says that there are risks of unauthorized use of digital material and that it is not secure by its nature. The paper highlights that the more the effort is made to create digital contents the less attention is given to its security, and threats come in many forms. The study concentrates on the importance of digital data security and also security of library collection. Choudhary, S.K. (2011) contends that libraries and archives need to have safety and security plans to ensure that staff are prepared to respond to fire, water emergencies, and other largescale threats to collections. The study concentrates on risk patrons, resources and equipment, and library employees library for library assessment. The goal of a security system should 44 P a g e

3 provide safe and secure facility. The study recommends that there should be CCTV system and security guards to enforce appropriate library access to the assets of the library. Use of electronic security equipment with alarm notification to the appropriate authority, entry control, and site surveillance will avoid theft and mutilation of library material. Martin, A. L. (2000) studies on archival security and discusses that archivist protect and provide access to archival documents, the study also states that the archivist safeguards the archival materials safely in custody and its integrity is well maintained. The study suggests that documentation as another important preventive measure in terms of patrons. Further the study also concentrates on incunabulum documents and some aspects on security literature in the 1980s as important archival materials which needs to be safeguard as archives. Vinayagamoorthy, P. (2007) discuss that bar-coding, electronic-magnetic strips, radio frequency identification are used with the intention of improving the quality of service to the users and the security of library materials. The study recommends that RFID helps in the security aspect of library material which could be adopting for inventories of materials and which helps librarians in providing the users with optimum utilization of available resources. The study shows the importance of the use of ESG (Electronic Security Gates) for checking in and out. The study concludes that RFID over barcode systems or RFID tags can be used for security as well as for status control, thereby eliminating the need to attach security strips to library items. Need for the Study The present study also envisages representing preventive measures, new ideas to improve surveillance, and updated monitoring systems to keep a close eye on user behaviour. The study will recommend new strategies in training and communication, and the use of user sensitization programme which will increase the user awareness of the enormity of damage caused by delinquent behaviour. It is hoped that the findings of the study will provide authentic information to provide the finest academic support to genuine scholars and serious readers. The study helps both librarians and users to preserve and protect priceless academic wealth of libraries for future generations. Objectives of the Present Study The objectives of the study are: 1. To identify and discuss the major forms of theft and mutilation incidents that occur in university libraries; 2. To find out the common security measures in the university libraries 3. To find out the electronic gadgets use in security measures in university libraries Methodology The researcher conducted a survey research design was used for the study. The total number of seven questionnaires distributed to seven university librarians in Karnataka all seven university librarians have participated in the study. The questionnaire consisted of questionnaires on preventive measurements of theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources. The researcher visited the each of the university libraries during the year of for data collection. The data obtained were analysed using simple percentages and frequencies. 45 P a g e

4 Data interpretation and Data Analysis Table 1. Designation-wise Distribution of Heads of the Libraries University Libraries Librarian Librarian I/C Bangalore University Library 0 1 Gulbarga University Library 1 0 Karnatak University Library 0 1 Kuvempu University Library 0 1 Mangalore University Library 1 0 Mysore University Library 0 1 Tumkur University Library 0 1 Total 2(28.58%) 5(71.42%) Table 1 reveals the designation-wise distribution of heads of libraries. It may be seen from the table that out of 7 university libraries, 2 (28.58%) university libraries namely Gulbarga University library and Mangalore University library, have librarians themselves as heads of their libraries. As for the remaining 5(71.42%) university libraries namely Bangalore University library, Karnatak University library Dharwada, Kuvempu University library, Mysore University library and Tumkur University library, the librarians I/C function as heads of the libraries and leading the activities. Table 2. Theft, Mutilation and Misplacement of Library Resources Problems Respondents % Frequent problem Severe problem Total Table 2 reveals the problems of theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources. It may be seen from the table that out of seven university librarians 03(42.85%) opine that theft, mutilation and misplacement is a frequent problem and 04(57.14%) of them opine that it is a severe problem and also believe that the occurrence and re-occurrence of theft, mutilation, and misplacement of library resources and its consequence is a serious problem. Table 3 Approximate Loss of Books after Each Stock Verification Approximate Loss of Books Per Annum Respondents % No response Books Books and Above Books Total Table 3 depicts information regarding the approximate loss of books per annum after stock verification in university libraries. The table shows that out of seven university libraries, three libraries show that approximate loss of books per annum will be between 1-250, and 1001 and above respectively. The remaining 4(58%) libraries have given No response for the same 46 P a g e

5 Table-4 Electronic Security measures to adopt preventive theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources Order of Preference Given by the Librarians Electronic Security Systems 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Total F % F % F % F % CCTV cameras RFID system m exit gate Alarm system installed Glass break sensor Fire/smoke sensor Biometrics Use of smart card Fire extinguisher security system Library Management Software Table 4 interprets the preference for the type of electronic security systems for libraries. It can be seen that out of a total, 100% of the respondents prefer using of Smart card and Library Management Software as their first option, whereas 6 (85.71%) believe that biometrics would better serve the purpose. 5(71.42%) prefer CCTV cameras and 3m exit gate and 4(57.14%) prefer first option, that installing RFID system in the library would best serve the security purposes. Besides 4(57.14%) and 2(28.57%) of them opine that glass break sensor and fire extinguisher security system as the 3 rd preference of electronic security system to be in the library. Table-5 Suggestions to be taken by Librarians for Eradication of Theft, Mutilation and Misplacement of Library Resources Order of Preference Given by Librarians Suggestions 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Total F % F % F % F % Regular training and continuing education programme particularly in information literacy (Ex:-Impact of mutilation on intellectual excellence) Providing regular proper interaction and orientation to library users Strengthening and enforcing library rules and regulation to discourage likely offenders Impose hefty penalty for ruining university property Librarians should invest on collection development of electronic resources and encourage their users to use e-resources Authorities should allocate adequate budgets to install electronic security devices and electronic surveillance video cameras, RFID to discourage theft, mutilation and misplacement Priority should be given to digitise most valuable library resources to prevent them from mutilation Table 5 furnishes the order of frequency of suggestions for eradication of theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources given by the librarians. It can be observed that 6 (85.71%) of the respondents give first preference to regular proper interaction and orientation programme to library users and digitising most valuable library resources to prevent them from library mutilation, regular training and continuing education programme particularly in information literacy and librarians should invest on collection 47 P a g e

6 development of electronic resources and encourage their users to use e-resources. Whereas, second preference and third preference as suggestions were given by 4 (57.14%) librarians who opine that Imposing hefty penalty for ruining university property and strengthening and enforcing library rules and regulations enough to discourage likely offenders, will help in curbing the attitudes of disruptive users in libraries. Findings The most effective measures for eliminating theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources are imposing hefty penalty, dismissing students from colleges, and enforce library rules and regulations that are tough enough to discourage likely offenders. The study found that the majority of Librarians respondents suggested installation of electronic security systems such as smart card, Library management Software, biometrics, FID/CCTV and that Priority should be given to digitise most valuable library resources to prevent them from library theft, mutilation and misplacement of the library resources. Conclusion This study revealed that theft, mutilation and misplacement of library resources in university libraries in particularly and libraries in general are serious problems that libraries often come across. This study looked these problems from the librarians perspective. More or less this study is in line with the previous studies conducted on the subjects. The previous study have done almost decade back, but still as this study reveals theft, mutilation and misplacement of library materials have remained as problems for university libraries which effects academic ambience of the library. There is need to adopt electronic technologies that some of them suggested by librarians such as Biometrics, Library management software, users smartcard, CCTV, RFID technologies for library. Most importantly librarians should engage with library users regularly to create awareness about how to use library. References 1. Arndt Jr., D. A. (2001). Problem patrons and library security. Legal Reference Services Quarterly, 19(1/2), Beach,A (1977). Library Book Theft: A Case Study. College & Research Libraries, 38(2), Choudhary,S.K. (2011).Library preservation and conservation. New Delhi: A.P.H. Publishing Corporation Gautam, V., Behera, P. K., & Singh, M. (2011). Issues of Digital Data Security in Library Environment. International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology, 1(4), Martin, A. L. (2000). The Saying and the Doing: The Literature and Reality of Theft Prevention Measures in US Archives-Part 1. Library & archival security, 15(2), Vinayagamoorthy,P (2007). Application of RFID in engineering college library: an experience. Indian Journal of Library and Information Science,1(2) P a g e