Preventing Book Theft

A security system that provides rare book collections safety by sensing the magnetic strip in the books.  

An example of written policies that can allow patrons of the library to be aware of rules and deter theft.

An example of how to organize stock checks and keep inventory. This ensures books are in their correct home and protected.

The alarming reality of book theft in libraries across the United States has prompted responses to limit theft in the system. Here is a list of methods and tips to reduce theft and protect collections in libraries.

1. Evaluate the collection. It is extremely important for a library to evaluate the cost of their collection to access properly the security measures needed to protect it. Books that are estimated as most valuable should be kept away from the others. Many libraries in the world utilize rare books rooms and archives which have extra security measures to prevent book theft.
2. Keep digitally catalogued library in sync with Online Computer Library (OCLC). One of the biggest difficulties for librarians is noticing right away when books are stolen. Due to the sheer size of some libraries, it can take years to realize if a book is stolen, if the theft is ever discovered. It is important for libraries to digitally catalogue books because it can help track books down if they ever are stolen. In Blumberg’s case when the stolen books were recovered, librarians utilized Online Computer Library (OCLC), to help return thousands of books to their rightful owners from the warehouse in Omaha, Nebraska where the books were stored by the FBI.
3. Be suspicious. According to Daren Mansfield, “There is also some evidence that offenders are young, predominantly male, second-or third-year undergraduates, and book theft is usually carried out during the afternoon or evening of semester periods.” It is important to be watchful over those in the library. Furthermore, many book thefts have been conducted by people employed by libraries.
4. Keep the catalogue updated and verify with regular shelf checks. This includes keeping the catalogue the library or collection updated to reflect acquisitions and deletions. Using the up-to-date catalogue as a basis to check shelves may seem daunting, but it is a perfect task for a student worker or intern to complete. This is one of the most effective strategies to ensure books are in their correct home and being protected from theft.
5. Security officers. Security staff are key to protecting rare and valuable books. It is appropriate to have security officers who understand the value of rare books and why they can be potential targets for theft. By monitoring risk assessments, crime statistics, and keeping lists of missing items, security guards can help prevent future theft.
6. Security system. Knowing collections are protected by security systems can deter offenders from stealing rare books. Cameras can catch and record theft, making it harder to sneak books out of an area and/or easier to identify culprits. Especially in college libraries, where there is an increasing threat of book theft (often due to staff shortages), having proper identification to enter the collection can help protect it. In addition, adding magnetic strips to books, without damaging them, can set off alarms if they have been taken off the premises. Having metal detectors at the entrance and of the collection and the entrance of the library can deter offenders.
7. Accurate written policies. Clearly stating and publicly posting library policy and procedures can ensure patrons adhere to the guidelines. If the procedures are publicized around the library, it can ensure that visitors know the rules. In addition, publicly displaying policies can deter theft of rare books because offenders would be aware the collection is in a high security area under watch with stringent rules about access.
8. Bag and coat checks. Although not all people should have their bag checked leaving the library, all visitors visiting the rare book collection should have their bag checked. Mansfield says, “most students view book theft only as an ‘academic crime’ rather than a ‘real crime.” it is easy to slip a book into a bag or under a coat. Blumberg was notorious for stealing rare books from libraries across the United States by hiding them in his bulky coats. For this reason, it is important to check all visitors for potential theft after they leave rare book collections.

Libraries around the world have learned that preventing book theft requires a number of techniques, procedures, and systems. All of the methods listed above to protect rare books could have been utilized when Blumberg was visiting libraries to save some of the books he stole. Increased security at their institutions would have provided librarians with more chances to identify Blumberg more quickly as well as a security officer watching over him as he visited rare books collections. Furthermore, by doing a bag and coat check on Blumberg, many of the stolen books would never have left the buildings. Unfortunately, many libraries Blumberg visited did not have measures in place to prevent book theft and protect their collections. Since then, librarians have learned and come to appreciate that preventing rare book theft takes a dedicated team willing to put into practice a number of security measures to protect the integrity of the collection.

Works Cited

Cottrell, M. (2015). Thwarting Book Thieves. American Libraries, 46(9/10), pp.  18–19.

Mansfield, Daren (2009) Reducing book theft at university libraries. Library and Information Research, 33 (103). pp. 10-15. ISSN 1756-1086