Problems of Security Management in Academic libraries and how to curb it

Library security management has to do with taking necessary measures to ensure that the materials available for use in the library are kept in a good condition and prevented from being stolen. Security management is the identification of an organization's assets (including information assets), followed by the development, documentation, and implementation of policies and procedures for protecting these assets. (Wikipedia)

Afolabi (1993) also added that “damages are caused by library users, insects and other animals and also by climatic conditions including hazards, she emphasized that recent studies have indicated that the greatest agent that deface books and cause wear and tear on library materials are human beings which are library users/ patrons”.

Lorenzen (1996) also observes that “collection mutilation takes many forms, ranging from underlining and highlighting text, tearing and or removing pages, and tampering with the content.

Lorenzen identifies several causes for mutilation, including: Students' dissatisfaction or unfamiliarity with library services, lack of knowledge of replacement costs and time, lack of concern for the needs of others and few students think of library mutilation and theft as a crime”.

Abifarin (1997) contributed that “students steal or mutilate library materials because of the following reasons: Scarcity of library materials, selfishness on the part of some students, financial constraint as well as high cost of learning materials”

Nwalo (2003) also asserted that, “a major problem encountered in library security is that the security department of the parent body (in the case of academic and special libraries) insists on providing security personnel for the library. These security men are loyal to the security department and not to the library authority. This situation makes it difficult for the librarian to control security matters in his library as his orders may be flouted”

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Measures to curb these security breaches in Academic libraries

Security is a way of life. Security is to ensure the safety of records and archival materials against human and natural agent. Constant vigilance on the part of library staff may help to secure library materials.

According to Encyclopedia (1981), quoted by Adamu (2006), “security refers to device designed to guard library materials against crime, accident, disasters, fire and attacks”. Aina (2004) added that, “library materials must be safe; hence security devices need to be provided by library to ensure that materials are not stolen or mutilated”.

Abifarin (1997), Allen (1997) and Bello (1998) reported high rate of book theft, mutilation and misplacing of books in Nigerian academic libraries. They suggested measures to reduce the problems, which include tightening security at library entrances and exits, expulsion of students involved in theft and mutilation, provision of multiple copies of heavily used text, reducing the cost of photocopying, and periodic searching of students’ hostels and staff.

Aguolu (2000) “observed that the best protection that a collection of books and non-book materials can have is a concrete building”. Also Rajendra (2005) opened that the “library security should be planned when the library building is constructed wherever possible, through architectural considerations which include the site design and building design”.

Nwamefor (1974) cited by Nwalo (2003) asserted that, the following measures could help to reduce the rate of books theft in the library. Which include the following: Constant supervision, unannounced searching of student’s hostels, posting security personnel of integrity to the library, condemnation of theft through mass media, vigilant against mutilation by library staff, better educated security men to detect stolen books through thorough physical examination of books as well as all library windows should be gauzed to make it very difficult for books to be thrown out.

McComb (2004) stated that video surveillance and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems serve as a way to monitor and record security, deter crime, and ensure safety. The author suggest that, libraries can use CCTV to identify visitors and employees, monitor work areas, deter theft, and ensure the security of the premises and other facilities. The system can also be used to monitor and record evidence on clientele and employee misconduct. In the same vein Ramana (2010) contributed that “Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) uses in the libraries can enhance the ability to control the book thefts and tearing off the pages from the books and magazin