[Publib] Bathroom security

[Elizabeth Speigle]

We are currently installing security cameras in the interiors and exteriors
of the libraries. We have put them in strategic areas, including outside the
restroom areas (note.they are not IN the restrooms!)  

 

I have worked at libraries that installed buzz-in systems. I am hoping that
our security cameras (and subsequent signs to inform people that we have
surveillance) will work well.

 

Elizabeth

 

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Susan Thaler
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 9:24 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Bathroom security

 

Hi all,

 

I searched the archives for this topic and found a few relevant hits, but
wanted to see if I could draw more from the collective wisdom.  We are a
fairly new facility--an old factory completely renovated so that you'd never
know it wasn't brand new--opened in 2002, in an inner-city area.  We have 4
floors, with public multi-stall restrooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors.
We have continual issues with the restrooms--grafitti, sexual activity, drug
use.  We are considering a variety of security tactics to try to improve the
situation, including the following: 

 

--locking the restrooms and having the librarians on each floor give out the
keys (they're not thrilled with this idea);

--having some sort of buzz-in system (problematic because the entrances to
the restrooms are not really in sight-lines from the desks);

--removing the entrance doors (NOT the stall doors) altogether, kind of like
in an airport or rest area so that (maybe) people will feel that there's a
greater chance of being caught red-handed at whatever dastardly deed they're
up to; 

--security cameras trained on the entrance doors.

 

We are looking for what has worked for other libraries,  and would be
grateful for any input.

Susan Thaler

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