Security and Crime Prevention in Libraries

Crime and misdemeanours affect every type of library and information service and the staff who work in them. Vandalism, mutilation, defacement, theft, abuse, harassment, violence, arson and other criminal activities need to be confronted, measured and understood by today's librarians and information scientists. This book will provide an evaluative expert summary of the identification of the problem, the estimated scale of the problem, assessment of the present situation, developments and initiatives and possible solutions and answers, where possible within the context of a financial framework. The book is suitable for senior policy managers including those with legal responsibilities (ie not just librarians); line managers with responsibilities for implementation and continued involvement; individual staff including those with union responsibilities; and library and information studies school students. Appropriate chapters are written by professionals outside the library world, eg solicitors, architects and security advisors.