Presented at the FLA Preconference in 2016. This presentation discusses the history of security at FSU Libraries and also provides some best practices and lessons learned from our experience.

1. Security at Florida State University
Libraries: Adapting to Change
A presentation for the Florida Library
Association Security Preconference
February 29, 2016
Susannah Miller
Renaine Julian

2. Introductions
Susannah Miller
Associate Dean for Administrative Services
Renaine Julian
Data Research Librarian

3. Overview
1. History of Security at FSU
Libraries
2. Lessons Learned
3. Best Practices
4. Looking Ahead
source: wikipedia

4. History - Pre Security Dept
Unmediated access to building
No security personnel
24/5 Building
Checked for FSU IDs after 2am
Photo Source: gradschool.fsu.edu

5. History - The Card Access Team (CAT)
Sexual Assault in 2009
Hired OPS Positions to monitor exit and entrance
Visitor Sign In
Security Department formed in 2009
Staffing: Department head & 2 supervisors
source: fsucard.fsu.edu

6. History: The Turnstiles
1st floor remodeled in 2010 with turnstiles
Temporary cards issued to visitors or FSU students who do
not have their ID
Benefits:
1. Personal Accountability
2. Mediated Access
3. Statistics!
source: archive.fsunews.com

7. History: The Shooting
May parked his car a few blocks away from the library and walked in with a 380 semi-automatic handgun with “additional ammunition in his
pockets.”
Mr. May started shooting students in front of the Strozier Library.
“He then enters a front area of the library where he shoots one employee and tries to shoot another woman who’s affiliated with the university.
At 12:25 a.m., FSU police received the initial call that there was a gunman in the library
“He then reloads his gun. He never precedes past the security measures that are in place in the library. He never leaves the front lobby area.
“He then exits the library where he is confronted by FSU police officers and Tallahassee police department police officers. He refuses to
surrender and as a result of this encounter he is shot and killed by the officers.
At 12:27, police report that May has been killed outside.
(Klas & McGregory, 2014)

8. Lessons Learned
• “Security Measures” - utility of the turnstiles - saved lives!
• proactive vs. reactive - think ahead
• FSUPD security audit of building
– Lighting
– Parking
– Landscaping
– Natural Surveillance
– Territorial Reinforcement
– Natural Access Control
– Maintenance

9. Lessons Learned
PSO Training for all Security Personnel
Uniforms
Police Radios
Location and Height of Security Desk
“Panic Buttons”
Professional Staff
Stronger ties with FSU Police Department

10. Best Practices
De-escalation Skills
Relationship with the Police
Appropriate Staffing
Security is Everyone’s Job
Code of Conduct
Physical Environment
Access Practices
Security Cameras
Accompany to Parking Lot
Staff Training

11. Best Practices
Crime Prevention Techniques
Ask the following questions:
1) What would increase the effort to commit a crime?
2) What would increase the risk of committing the crime?
3) What would reduce the rewards?
4) What would reduce the provocations?
5) What would remove the excuses for criminal behavior?
(Cromwell, Alexander, & Dotson, 2008)

12. Looking Ahead
Literature Review
Scholarly collaboration with Criminology Department
ARL Spec Kit - Partnership with Auburn
Physical Changes to Desk
Hiring of Professional Security Staff
source: flickr/katerhar

13. Suggested Readings
Albrecht, S. (2015). Library security: better communication, safer facilities. Chicago: ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.
Bowman, A. C. (2013). 24-Hour Academic Libraries: Adjusting to Change. Journal of Access Services, 10(4), 217–239.
http://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2013.842342
Cromwell, P., Alexander, G., & Dotson, P. (2008). Crime and incivilities in libraries: Situational crime prevention strategies for thwarting biblio-
bandits and problem patrons. Security Journal, 21(3), 147–158. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8350033
Raffensperger, T. E. (2010). Safety and Security in Urban Academic Libraries: A Risk Assessment Approach to Emergency Preparedness. Urban
Library Journal, 16(1). Retrieved from http://ojs.gc.cuny.edu/index.php/urbanlibrary/article/view/1252
Reed, C. (2008). The Correct Mindset. Library & Archival Security, 21(2), 59–67. http://doi.org/10.1080/01960070802201334
Sanders, M. (2012). Creating a Safe Haven for University Students: How Are We Doing? Journal of Access Services, 9(4), 200–211.
http://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2012.713228
Scarletto, E. A., Burhanna, K. J., & Richardson, E. (2013). Wide Awake at 4 AM: A Study of Late Night User Behavior, Perceptions and Performance
at an Academic Library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39(5), 371–377. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2013.02.006
Works Cited
Cromwell, P., Alexander, G., & Dotson, P. (2008). Crime and incivilities in libraries: Situational crime prevention strategies for thwarting
biblio-bandits and problem patrons. Security Journal, 21(3), 147–158. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8350033
Klas, M.E., & McGregory, K. (2014). Gunman identified in FSU library shooting that wounded three. Retreived from
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article4030318.html, on November 8, 2015.

14. Questions
source: commons.wikimedia.org