[MSN] Library Gets New Security System.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Library Gets New Security System 
Altoona Library Security 
Erica Dao


Mary Vernau, the library director, says she doesn't have an exact count of
how many items are missing. But currently there are just under 300 items
marked as missing or lost.
After exploring several options to stop theft...The Altoona library decided
to put in a 3M security system.
The system cost a little more than $30,000. Funded through donations,
library fines, and a $5,000 grant from the Indianhead Federated Library
System.
"Each item has a little tag that will be put in it. It won't be visible to
the patron but if it's not checked out properly, they will beep when they go
through," said Mary Vernau, Altoona library director.
Vernau says circulation has significantly increased, three times what it was
six years ago.
One reason is the Altoona library is part of the Indianhead Federated
Library System that gives people access to materials at more than 40
libraries.
"In 1999, our circulation was roughly 39,000 and this year or rather 2005,
it was over 119,000 ," said Vernau.
According to Vernau, a lot of the stolen items aren't replaced, but some of
the more popular items are, costing the library close to $6,000.
She also says not only is it costly to replace, it's very time consuming...
"People are disappointed if they're waiting for an item and it just
disappears. Then it's a wait while we re-order that item and process that
item to get it back on the shelf." 

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