Criminal Behavior:
Theft of Library Materials
If an automatic book detection system goes off:
-
Always assume the innocence of the patron.
- Ask if the person has any books, videotapes, or other materials that
may not have been desensitized.
- If you see any such materials, ask if the person had been planning
to check them out.
- If the materials belong to another branch library and are not checked
out, they should be confiscated and sent back.
- If the person surrenders the materials, keep them behind the desk.
- If you cannot determine what is activating the alarm, ask the person
to open his or her book bag or briefcase.
- If the person leaves without stopping or leaves with the materials,
do not follow the person.
- Be sure to notice what the person looks like and give an accurate description.
Branch Libraries: notify Public Safety immediately at 8-1000.
Firestone Library: notify Library Security immediately at 8-3221.
If theft of library materials is observed:
-
Try to get another witness to the behavior, if at all possible.
- Do not talk to, detain or follow the person.
- Give an accurate description of the materials in question if at all
possible.
Branch Libraries: notify Public Safety immediately at 911.
Firestone Library: notify Library Security immediately at 8-3221.