Security at Florida State University Libraries: Adapting to ChangeA presentation for the Florida Library Association Security Preconference

February 29, 2016Susannah MillerRenaine Julian

IntroductionsSusannah Miller

Associate Dean for Administrative Services

Renaine Julian Data Research Librarian

Overview1. History of Security at FSU

Libraries2. Lessons Learned3. Best Practices4. Looking Ahead

source: wikipedia

History - Pre Security Dept

Unmediated access to building

No security personnel

24/5 Building

Checked for FSU IDs after 2am

Photo Source: gradschool.fsu.edu

History - The Card Access Team (CAT)

Sexual Assault in 2009Hired OPS Positions to monitor exit and entranceVisitor Sign InSecurity Department formed in 2009

Staffing: Department head & 2 supervisors

source: fsucard.fsu.edu

History: The Turnstiles1st floor remodeled in 2010 with turnstiles

Temporary cards issued to visitors or FSU students who do

not have their IDBenefits:

1. Personal Accountability2. Mediated Access3. Statistics!

source: archive.fsunews.com

History: The ShootingMay parked his car a few blocks away from the library and walked in with a 380 semi-automatic handgun with “additional ammunition in his pockets.”

Mr. May started shooting students in front of the Strozier Library.

“He then enters a front area of the library where he shoots one employee and tries to shoot another woman who’s affiliated with the university.

At 12:25 a.m., FSU police received the initial call that there was a gunman in the library

“He then reloads his gun. He never precedes past the security measures that are in place in the library. He never leaves the front lobby area.

“He then exits the library where he is confronted by FSU police officers and Tallahassee police department police officers. He refuses to surrender and as a result of this encounter he is shot and killed by the officers.

At 12:27, police report that May has been killed outside.

(Klas & McGregory, 2014)

Lessons Learned• “Security Measures” - utility of the turnstiles - saved lives!• proactive vs. reactive - think ahead• FSUPD security audit of building

– Lighting– Parking– Landscaping– Natural Surveillance– Territorial Reinforcement– Natural Access Control– Maintenance

Lessons LearnedPSO Training for all Security PersonnelUniformsPolice RadiosLocation and Height of Security Desk“Panic Buttons”Professional StaffStronger ties with FSU Police Department

Best PracticesDe-escalation SkillsRelationship with the PoliceAppropriate StaffingSecurity is Everyone’s JobCode of Conduct

Physical Environment

Access Practices

Security Cameras

Accompany to Parking Lot

Staff Training

Best PracticesCrime Prevention TechniquesAsk the following questions:

1) What would increase the effort to commit a crime?2) What would increase the risk of committing the crime?3) What would reduce the rewards?4) What would reduce the provocations?5) What would remove the excuses for criminal behavior?(Cromwell, Alexander, & Dotson, 2008)

Looking AheadLiterature Review

Scholarly collaboration with Criminology Department

ARL Spec Kit - Partnership with Auburn

Physical Changes to Desk

Hiring of Professional Security Staff

source: flickr/katerhar

Suggested ReadingsAlbrecht, S. (2015). Library security: better communication, safer facilities. Chicago: ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.Bowman, A. C. (2013). 24-Hour Academic Libraries: Adjusting to Change. Journal of Access Services, 10(4), 217–239.

http://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2013.842342Cromwell, P., Alexander, G., & Dotson, P. (2008). Crime and incivilities in libraries: Situational crime prevention strategies for thwarting biblio-

bandits and problem patrons. Security Journal, 21(3), 147–158. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8350033Raffensperger, T. E. (2010). Safety and Security in Urban Academic Libraries: A Risk Assessment Approach to Emergency Preparedness. Urban

Library Journal, 16(1). Retrieved from http://ojs.gc.cuny.edu/index.php/urbanlibrary/article/view/1252Reed, C. (2008). The Correct Mindset. Library & Archival Security, 21(2), 59–67. http://doi.org/10.1080/01960070802201334 Sanders, M. (2012). Creating a Safe Haven for University Students: How Are We Doing? Journal of Access Services, 9(4), 200–211.

http://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2012.713228 Scarletto, E. A., Burhanna, K. J., & Richardson, E. (2013). Wide Awake at 4 AM: A Study of Late Night User Behavior, Perceptions and Performance

at an Academic Library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39(5), 371–377. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2013.02.006

Works CitedCromwell, P., Alexander, G., & Dotson, P. (2008). Crime and incivilities in libraries: Situational crime prevention strategies for thwarting

biblio-bandits and problem patrons. Security Journal, 21(3), 147–158. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8350033Klas, M.E., & McGregory, K. (2014). Gunman identified in FSU library shooting that wounded three. Retreived from http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article4030318.html, on November 8, 2015.

Questions

source: commons.wikimedia.org