BKMNLASC.RVW   980804

"Management of Library and Archive Security", Robert K. O'Neill, 1998,
0-7890-0519-0, U$29.95
%E   Robert K. O'Neill
%C   10 Alice Street, Binghampton, NY   13904-1580
%D   1998
%G   0-7890-0519-0
%I   The Haworth Press Inc.
%O   U$29.95 800-429-6784 fax: 800-895-0582 getinfo@haworth.com
%P   120 p.
%T   "Management of Library and Archive Security"

This appears to be a hardcover "co-print" of Volume 25, Number 1, of
the Journal of Library Administration.  It talks about a wide range of
security related issues, but also has significant weak points and
holes in the coverage.  Organization is random, with poor division
according to the titular subject of the different papers.  The
organization also appears to be exactly backwards, with the first
essay looking at what to do *after* you've been robbed, and the last
discussing policy.

Both quality and style vary from paper to paper.  Those sections that
do deal with law enforcement and reporting relate strictly to the
United States, with one token mention of a British reporting group. 
While a number of important areas are touched on, and a good deal of
useful information is given, it may be hard to find, or find again. 
The article on security, for example, does not provide practical
details of patron access to highly secured special collections,
although both the articles on audit and policies do address specific
features and points.  On the other hand, the piece that does address
the need to provide lockers for patrons forced to leave coats and bags
outside the reading room is not followed up with the greater necessity
for similar provisions for staff facing the same restrictions.

The article on the aftermath of a theft will probably be useful to
those who are panicked by the first such occurrence.  The material
provides good, practical advice for those in the emotional throws of
the event, although most of it is simple common sense.  The paper on
audit, on the other hand, says very little about auditing, and the
content is does contain is theoretical and abstruse.  Law enforcement
gets a folksy treatment, and, in similar fashion to the first essay,
seems to concentrate on calming nerves.  Some advice on the issue of
records and evidence useful in court might have been helpful.  A
recounting of a case recovering illegally transported artifacts is
interesting, but serves primarily to remind managers of the importance
of communication with colleagues and the range of law enforcement
agencies.  The single paper on security itself emphasizes preservation
from the elements and makes only a token mention of active security
against theft and none against fraud.  The final article on security
policies gives much practical advice on a variety of matters, but
doesn't really address policy.  Given the current importance of both
library management systems and electronic access to collections and
other information resources I find it significant that none of the
essays discuss data security.

As a short introduction to a specialty topic this has its place, but
those seeking a complete resource will be disappointed.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998   BKMNLASC.RVW   980804