[Publib] CCTV Question

[Marsha Grove]

Here at the Champaign Public Library our Security especially thinks the
camera at the door when people exit that gets a good picture of their
face is important.  The reason for exit is that when they discover the
person has caused trouble Security knows when they left, but not usually
when they entered.  Also helpful is the one in DVD and video game (high
theft areas), one at entrance of rest rooms, one over cash register at
cafe, one at outdoor bookdrop that shows the license plate number, and
cameras in both elevators.  We also have one near the hold self pick up
room that has helped us detect "poachers" who take other people's holds
(mainly popular DVDs).  If we catch them we warn them and next time we
take more serious action.

We were advised not to place them in the parking lot because our trees
and shrubs will grow up in a few years and block them.  Architects tend
not to like them on the rooftops.  We have a few outside the building,
but we'd like a better view of bike racks for bike thefts.  We also
think one on self checkouts might be a good idea (faces of  those who
misuse library cards of others).  

We have over 50 cameras in our new building and they have proven to be
invaluable.


Marsha Grove
Library Director
Champaign Public Library
200 West Green Street
Champaign, IL 61820

phone 217-403-2050
fax      217-403-2053
www.champaign.org