College and Research Libraries Campus Crime and Personal Safety in Libraries Otis A. Chadley As the rate of violent incidents increases on American college and uni- versity campuses, academic libraries are exploring ways to protect their staff and patrons. An interdisciplinary review of the literature shows that few authors have devoted attention to library security in higher educa- tion. This study surveys the literature in library science, law enforce- ment, the social sciences, education , and general-interest publications. General and specific crimes are discussed, and suggestions are pro- vided on how academic libraries can improve personal safety. Sugges- tions include: written emergency procedures, security equipment, and crime prevention staff training, along with safer building design, staff work area rearrangement, more campus involvement in library security, and improved employee/patron communication to ensure a safe, friendly, and pro-library environment. ampus crime threatens our college and university librar- ies, and our entire academic ~~!!!!!!!!!!~ community. ANew York Times Maga zin e article called "The Campus Crime Wave" describes the personal dan- gers that exist on many American cam- puses: "From ax attacks in libraries to shootings at dances, violence on urban, suburban and rural campuses has trans- formed many schools into discreetly armed camps: electronic passkeys for dormitories, cold-steel mesh on classroom windows, computer-controlled cameras in stairwells, alarm strips in toilet stalls." 1 Crime has be- come such a serious problem on campuses that in 1992, Congress passed the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act, which requires academic institutions to report the crime rate and types of offenses occurring on their campuses. 2 Criminal activity on college and uni- versity campuses is not a new phenom- enon. In 1966, Charles Whitman became a mass murderer when he went on a shooting spree and killed 18 people at the University of Texas. Between 1967 and 1969, Norman John Collins murdered seven Eastern Michigan University women. In 1972-73, Edmund Kemper fatally wounded ten women at Cabrillo College and the University of Califor~ia at Santa Cruz. In 1978, the infamous se- rial killer Ted Bundy broke into a soror- ity house at Florida State University at Tallahassee, and attacked and murdered two women. Bundy was alleged to have killed more than 30 people before he was captured four years later. Between 1984 and 1985, eight murders happened near the campus of Texas Christian University.3 Gun-related violence erupted at Weber Otis A. Chadley is a Reference Librarian at the University at Albany, State Un iversity of New York; e-mail: oc286@cnsvax.albany.edu. 385 386 College & Research Libraries State University in 1993, Simon's Rock College of Bard in 1992, and the Univer- sity of Iowa in 1991. During the first three months of 1994, nine college students were shot by other students, resulting in two fatalities. 4 Campus crime statistics indicate how vulnerable libraries are to violence. Daniel P. Keller, executive director of Campus Crime Prevention Programs, ar- gues that an examination of the campus crime reports of most academic institu- In 1979, a woman was attacked by an ax-wielding assailant while studying alone in an isolated area of the stacks ... at the University of Wisconsin. tions would show that a substantial num- ber of offenses occur in or around cam- pus libraries.5 Alan J. Lizotte, executive director of the Consortium for Higher Education Campus Crime Research at the University at Albany, and Adriana Fernandez, research associate, analyzed data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report and report that between 1974 and 1991, vio- lent crimes such as murder, assault, rape, and robbery steadily declined by 27 per- cent on academic campuses. 6 However, in 1993, safety reports provided by 774 col- leges and universities show 1,353 robber- ies, an increase of approximately 12 per- cent from 1,210 the previous year; and 3,224 aggravated assaults, up from 3,141 the prior year. The number of rapes and forcible sexual offenses were 466 and 448, respectively. There was a small decrease in the number of murders, from 18 to 17.7 Based on such findings, academic insti- tutions are emphasizing the importance of providing sensible levels of security, hiring and training security and police staff, raising crime and safety conscious- ness, reporting dangers and criminal ac- tivity, and enforcing the laws against of- fenders. 8 July 1996 Attacks on Libraries, Staff, and Patrons Academic libraries, library staff, and pa- trons are not immune to violent crime. As reported in the literature, bomb threats and bombings are perpetrated against li- braries. In addition, libraries are deliber- ately set on fire. 9-12 Although personal as- saults seldom occur in libraries, u-15 such incidents are tragic when they happen. For instance, in 1979, a woman was at- tacked by an ax-wielding assailant while studying alone in an isolated area of the stacks, near midnight, in Madison Memo- rial Library at the University of Wiscon- sin.16 That same year, the library director at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo was shot and fatally wounded by the husband and son of a library employee.17 In 1983, a former li- brary worker at the University of Florida went on a shooting rampage and shot the library director three times, fired twice at another coworker, and threatened a third staff member with deadly force. The inci- dent left the library director paralyzed from the waist down. The disgruntled gunman was charged later with at- tempted first-degree murder.18 In 1990, when a library circulation assistant at Washington University in St. Louis, Mis- souri, attempted to stop a student from leaving the library with uncharged ma- terials, she was attacked by the student, who cut her with fingernails, a pen, and a pencil.19 According to Robert Willits, associate director of university personnel service at the University of Florida, perpetrators of library violence are usually "patrons or co-workers." 20 Ironically, according to research conducted by Charles Bunge, these same two groups are primary sources of stress and satisfaction among library staf£.21 Crime is more likely to hap- pen in academic libraries when one of several factors exists. First and foremost, most college and university libraries have open-access policies. Anyone can enter and use their facilities and collections without much scrutiny.22- 24 Anonymous individuals can move around in such en- vironments and prey at will on unsus- pecting victims. Second, academic librar- ies are open many hours, including nights and weekends. 25,26 As revealed by ana- tional survey of college and university libraries, personal safety is seriously com- promised during evenings and week- ends.27 A third factor contributing to crime in academic libraries is the typical sepa- ration of library facilities from the web of other campus buildings. 28 Staff and pa- trons are more vulnerable to personal as- saults when they are entering and exit- ing such isolated facilities. Fourth, remote or hidden areas within libraries are not monitored easily.29'30 As a result, potential rapists, exhibitionists, and robbers can hide easily and wait for their victims. Fifth, campus security and student pa- trols lack the personnel to monitor activ- ity adequately in libraries.31 Between the time campus security is notified and the time it responds to a library incident, the offender may have fled the premises. The last important factor that contributes to the likelihood of crime revolves around library employees' lack of crime preven- tion training. 32-34 As Leslie W. Sheridan warns, staff members who are not trained in crime prevention techniques may put themselves, patrons, and the library col- lection at risk. 35 Personal Library Safety Because no single approach to personal library safety exists,36 several security measures should be considered by aca- demic libraries. However, libraries need to evaluate their weak areas and security requirements before implementing secu- rity measures. 37,38 A security audit or checklist can help libraries define and address their vulnerability to crime. At the same time, libraries must keep in mind that fighting crime is a complex endeavor, and security programs will not eliminate crime completely.39 Neverthe- less, libraries can strive to create environ- Campus Crime and Personal Safety 387 ments that expose potential victimiz- ers. 40,41 Personal safety steps that librar- ies need to consider include installing emergency telephones on each floor of the collection and connecting them to both a public service desk and the campus po- lice switchboard. Whistles can be made readily available to patrons and employ- ees who work in isolated areas. Persons entering and exiting the library should channel past a central point, such as a service desk area. Security personnel need to patrol the library regularly. Signage must be posted around the library adver- tising the security services available in the library. News releases can be circulated to inform the general community of the personal safety measures implemented Other suggestions included writing library emergency procedures, posting the rules of the library in noticeable areas, and training staff in crime prevention. by the libraryY Mary Diederich Ott and Theodore S. Markewich suggest that es- cort services be provided for library em- ployees and patrons during evening hours.43 The perimeters of libraries, park- ing lots, and garages must be well lit for pedestrian safety. Emergency telephones should be stationed throughout campus exteriors (for example, in parking lots and garages). The landscape needs to be main- tained and managed to give added physi- cal protection. By creating surroundings that offer good visibility, pedestrian safety on campus will improve overall. 44 Recently, the topic of personal library safety was discussed at a 1994 ALA pre- conference program entitled "Violence in the Library: Protecting Staff and Patrons," sponsored by the Buildings and Equip- ment Section of the Library Administra- tion and Management Association (LAMA). During this conference, a panel of librarians and security experts shared crime prevention ideas. Some of the ideas 388 College & Research Libraries suggested included equipping public ser- vice desks with duress alarms, installing scream alarms in rest rooms, and provid- ing employees who work in remote ar- eas with portable alarm devices. Other suggestions included writing library emergency procedures, posting the rules of the library in noticeable areas, and training staff in crime prevention.45 The literature suggests that library employees receive routine security train- ing by public safety and law enforcement officers trained in recognizing and con- fronting unusual or disruptive behavior. 46 Library staff members can work in groups when approaching problem patrons.47 At- Salter and ... Salter suggest that library schools increase their course offerings to include training on how to deal with behaviorally difficult patrons. torneys and law enforcement officials can help libraries define the types of library offenses that are prosecutable.48·49 In re- gard to the problem employee, library administrators may use more scrutiny before hiring applicants. The candidate's references can be contacted and the ap- plicant screened for possible criminal ac- tivity. In addition, counseling services and programs that help former employees find new employment should be made available. 50 The architectural design of academic library buildings also plays an important role in personal safety. To reduce the op- portunity for criminal activity, the interi- ors of libraries should be designed for the greatest exposure or highest visibility in public areas, according to John Morris51 and Marvine Brand.52 Michael Chaney and Alan F. MacDougall advise library architects to design plenty of "natural surveillance" into their interiors, particu- larly in susceptible areas. 53 Concealed ar- eas should be made more visible. In ad- dition, architects need to develop and July 1996 sustain a friendly and secure environment that the legitimate library user views as welcoming and efficient, while simulta- neously causing worry and caution on the part of the would-be perpetrator of crime. Also, staff work areas may need rearrang- ing for better security. Alan Jay Lincoln urges libraries to "Enhance visibility: Move a piece of furniture. Redesign a room."54 Protecting library employees and pa- trons from crime is typically the respon- sibility of the college or university secu- rity division. 55 In some instances, a library staff member may be assigned the duty of coordinating in-house security and serving as library liaison with campus police or security.56 Ultimately, however, it is the legal responsibility of libraries to protect their workers and clientele from foreseeable harm; otherwise, the courts could find them guilty of library negli- gence.57-59 Furthermore, litigation may be brought against the overall institutions for failure to act, protect, or enforce, or for other omissions of security. 60 Library administrators should work with various campus groups and administrative per- sonnel to improve security in their librar- ies. To develop and implement security measures, they can collaborate with cam- pus law enforcement officers and secu- rity, the dean of students, and campus organizations. 61 Charles A. Salter and J ef- frey L. Salter suggest that library schools increase their course offerings to include training on how to deal with behavior- ally difficult patrons. At the same time, schools should encourage prospective li- brarians to take a general psychology course in order to better understand and more effectively deal with mentally dis- turbed patrons.62 To address the issue of personal safety, Susan Clegg, Philippa Dolphin, and Jean Sykes note "the impor- tance of creating an atmosphere condu- cive to honesty and pro-library feel- ings." 63 Jennifer Reavis believes: "If we make people feel good about themselves when they come to the library, we are es- tablishing a positive psychological con- text." 64 Sergeant Von L. Stambaugh of the Campus Investigations Section at the University of Toledo agrees that good in- terpersonal skills on the part of library workers will pay dividends in reducing library crime and improving personal safety. He comments: "A good working relationship between the library person- nel and the police department is one of the major factors in keeping criminal ac- tivities down. Another is good rapport with the students." 65 Conclusion As the crime rate increases across Ameri- can college and university campuses, per- sonal library safety is becoming a real concern to academic libraries. People are being routinely victimized by individu- Campus Crime and Personal Safety 389 als in the library environment. Such of- fenses will continue to occur if steps are not taken to improve library security. The solutions to this dilemma are varied and complex. A multifaceted approach to li- brary security is perhaps the most effec- tive method of addressing the issue. Li- brary staff must be trained by law enforcement professionals in security measures and, if necessary, work areas rearranged to improve personal safety. Library administrators and architects should work together in planning and designing security into library buildings in order to deter crime. Finally, library employees, public safety officers, and the overall academic community must work as a team to reduce campus crime and increase personal library safety. Notes 1. Anne Matthews, "The Campus Crime Wave," New York Times Magazine (Mar. 7, 1993): 38. 2. "Social Science and the Citizen," Society 31 (Mar./ Apr. 1994): 2. 3. Philip Jenkins and Edwin Donovan, "Coed Killers: Serial Murder on Campus," Campus Law Enforcement Journal17 (July I Aug. 1987): 42. 4. Douglas Lederman, 'Weapons on Campus?" Chronicle of Higher Education 40 (Mar. 9, 1994): A33. 5. Daniel P. Keller, "University of Louisville Survey Finds Library Security Problems Becom- ing More Complex," Campus Law Enforcement Journal17 (July I Aug. 1987): 9. 6. "Social Science and the Citizen," 2. 7. Douglas Lederman, "Crime on the Campuses," Chronicle of Higher Education 40 (Feb. 2, 1994): A31. 8. James L. Fadenrecht, "Trends in Campus Policing," Campus Law Enforcement Journal 20 (July I Aug. 1990): 27. 9. Leonard Kniffel, "Bomb Blast Jolts Library at Michigan's Oakland University," American Libraries 21 (Mar. 1990): 180-81. 10. Donna G. Davis, "Security Problems in College and University Libraries: Student Vio- lence," College & Research Libraries 32 (Jan. 1971): 17. 11 . Beverly Goldberg, "Arson in Asheville: Medical Library Recovering," American Libraries 21 (Mar. 1990): 182. 12. John Morris, "Protecting the Library from Fire," Library Trends 33 (summer 1984): 49-50, 55-56. 13. Lillian N. Gerhardt, "Safe at Work?: Library Security Strategies for Staff Protection," School Library Journal 39 (Feb. 1993): 4. 14. Alan Jay Lincoln, Crime in the Library: A Study of Patterns, Impact, and Security (New York: R. R. Bowker, 1984), 79. 15. J. Kirk Brashear, James J. Maloney, and Judellen Thorton-Jaringe, "Problem Patrons: The Other Kind of Library Security," fllinois Libraries 63 (Apr. 1981): 346-47. 16. Judith A. Tuttle, "Security and Safety: UW-Madison Memorial Library Steps to Solve Problems," Wisconsin Library Bulletin 76 (May /June 1980): 135. 17. "Norman Alexander Killed on Cal. Poly. Campus," American Libraries 10 (Mar. 1979): 100. 18. "U of Fla. Library Director Shot by Former Employee," American Libraries 14 (June 1983): 334. 19. "University Fires Library Assistant Who Claims Student Assault," American Libraries 22 (Sept. 1991): 698. · 20. Wilda W. Williams, "A Prescription for Prevention," Library Journal119 (Aug. 1994): 38. 21. Charles Bunge, "Stress in the Library," Library Journal112 (Sept. 15, 1987): 48. 390 College & Research Libraries July 1996 22. Rachel MacLachlan, "Factoring Loss into the Budget," Library Journal119 (Aug. 1994): 36. 23. Keller, "University of Louisville Survey," 9-10. 24. Richard M. Dougherty, "Security in Libraries: User Groups and Physical Access," Library Issues: Briefings for Faculty and Administrators 6 (July 1986): [1-2]. 25. Susan Clegg, Philippa Dolphin, and Jean Sykes, "Security in Academic Libraries," Library Association Record 91 (Feb. 1989): 94. 26. Keller, "University of Louisville Survey," 9-10. 27. Ibid., 10. 28. Marvine Brand, ed., Security for Libraries: People, Buildings, Collections (Chicago: ALA, 1984),46. 29. Michael Chaney and Alan F. MacDougall, eds., Security and Crime Prevention in Libraries (CITY, Vt.: Ashgate Publishing Company, 1992), 50-51. 30. Dougherty, "Security in Libraries," 1-2. 31. Association of Research Libraries, Building Security and Personal Safety Kit 150 (Washing- ton, D.C.: ARL Office of Management Services, 1989), [i]. 32. Alan Jay Lincoln and Carol Zall Lincoln, "Library Crime and Security," Library & Archival Security 8 (spring/summer 1986): 13-14. 33. Brashear, Maloney, and Thorton-Jaringe, "Problem Patrons," 346--47. 34. Mary J. Cronin, "A Workshop Approach to Library Security," Library & Archival Security 3 (spring 1980): 50. 35. Leslie W. Sheridan, "People in Libraries As Security Agents," Library & Archival Security 3 (spring 1980): 61. 36. Robert Chadbourne, "Disorderly Conduct: Crime and Disruptive Behavior in the Library," Wilson Library Bulletin 68 (Mar. 1994): 25. 37. Susan Hildreth, "What Libraries Are Doing," Library Journal119 (Aug. 1994): 39. 38. Williams, "A Prescription for Prevention," 38. 39. Alan Jay Lincoln and Carol Zall Lincoln, "Controlling Crime: A Security Checklist," Li- brary & Archival Security 8 (spring/summer 1986): 146. 40. Williams, "A Prescription for Prevention," 38. 41. Chaney and MacDougall, Security and Crime Prevention in Libraries, 50-51. 42. Tuttle, "Security and Safety," 135-36. 43. Mary Diederich Ott and Theodore S. Markewich, Report of the Security Survey at the Univer- sity of Maryland at College Park: Executive Summary (College Park: Univ. of Maryland, Office of Institutional Studies, 1983), 1-52. 44. Brand, "Security for Libraries," 40. 45. Williams, "A Prescription for Prevention," 38. 46. John R. Kleberg, "An Rx for Library Security," Library & Archival Security 4 (1982): 27. 47. Williams, "A Prescription for Prevention," 38. 48. Ibid. 49. Lincoln, "Crime in the Library," 146. 50. Williams, "A Prescription for Prevention," 38. 51. John Morris, The Library Disaster Preparedness Handbook (Chicago: ALA, 1986), 75. 52. Marvine Brand, "Security of Academic Library Buildings," Library & Archival Security 3 (spring 1980): 41-42. 53. Chaney and MacDougall, Security and Crime Prevention in Libraries, 51. 54. Chadbourne, "Disorderly Conduct," 24. 55. Brand, Security for Libraries, 24. 56. Crime Prevention, Security and Emergency Procedures for College and University Libraries (Goshen, Ky.: Campus Crime Prevention Programs, 1986), 1. 57. Johnathan S. Tryon, "Premises Liability for Librarians," Library & Archival Security 10 (1990): 5-6. 58. Silva E. Barsumyan, "Premises Liability," New Jersey Libraries 21 (spring 1988): 9-12. 59. Carol B. Allred, "Negligence Law for Libraries," Law Library Journal77 (1984/1985): 195- 98. ~ 60. Fadenrecht, "Trends in Campus Policing," 27. 61. Tuttle, "Security and Safety," 135. 62. Charles A. Salter and Jeffrey L. Salter, On the Frontlines: Coping with the Library's Problem Patrons (Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1988), 141. 63. Clegg, Dolphin, and Sykes, "Security in Academic Libraries," 94. 64. Jennifer Reavis, "Patron Relations: A Transformational Approach," Texas Libraries 50 (win- ter 1989/1990): 133. 65. Von L. Stambaugh, "University of Toledo: Fighting Crime through Prevention and En- forcement," Campus Law Enforcement Journa/17 (July I Aug. 1987): 16. i I i I I J ·' ... working smart READMORE ACADEMIC SERVICES 700 Black Horse Pike, Suite 207 Blackwood, NJ 08012 READMORE IS A BLACKWELL COMPANY Information industry leaders in providing subscription services, article delivery & library automation software. REMo® Mouse driven serials management system. Ross® Online ordering, claim- ing and searching of journal and publisher databases . RENEWAL EXPRESS PC-based system to analyze current serials holdings and plan for future collection development. FINANCIAL PLANNER Lotus formatted worksheet to analyze previous spending history and plan future budget allocations. 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