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3M Library Security System Training Your Staff
6-3
E 3M 1999 September
Scenario #1
The library staff person mistakenly neglects to
desensitize a marked item when checking out the
patron’s materials, or the patron accidentally removes
marked materials f rom the library.
After asking the patron to return to the counter, a
typical response might be, “Excuse me, did I forget to
check out one of your items?” — or — “Did you
perhaps pick up one of the library’s books with your
own things?” These are courteous questions, and they
don’t accuse the patron of theft. Be sure to smile and
ask the questions in a friendly, non-threatening
manner.
Process and desensitize all items again. If you
discover an item that hasn’t been properly checked
out, never accuse the patron of stealing. Simply act as
if the error was an oversight — it more than likely
was. If the patron causes the alarm to sound again,
follow the policy that your library has established for
possible theft of materials.
Scenario #2
If a patron denies having any library materials after
sounding the alarm, follow your library’s policy for
theft.
Scenario #3
If a patron bolts and runs out of the library after
sounding the alarm, follow your library’s policy for
theft.
Responding to alarms is a sensitive situation, but can
be handled confidently and effectively as l ong as your
library has established procedures AND your staff has
been fully trained in following them.
Unwanted Alarms
The detection system i s virtually free of false alarms.
Occasionally the detection system may alarm and the
staff will find that the patron does not have
unauthorized library materials. The patron may have
carried items with active strips into the library.
“Unwanted alarms” are alarms caused by active
security strips on items carried into the library. If the
following items have active security strips, they may
cause unwanted alarms:
S Books from another library or book store
S Audio and video cassettes from video rental and
music stores
S Other items from retail stores
Other security system users may check out, lend, or
sell protected items without desensitizing the security
strips. These items will cause unwanted alarms as the
patron enters or exits the library. Unwanted alarms
will cause concern and added work for the library
staff. Unwanted alarms are generally infrequent and
will vary depending on the patrons and on the
proximity of your library to locations that are
releasing materials containing active security strips.
Because it is not possible to distinguish between
unwanted alarms and alarms with potential book loss,
all responses to alarms must be consistent and follow
your management policies. If patrons see no response
to alarms, the detection system becomes less effective.
When you decide that an active strip on an item from
outside your library caused an alarm, follow these
steps:
1. Explain the problem to the patron.
2. Verify that all of the patron’s library materials are
properly checked out.
3. Allow the patron to exit the library.
Many patrons will learn from the experience and will
not carry items that may cause alarms into the library.