As the rate of violent incidents increases on American college and university campuses, academic libraries are exploring ways to protect their staff and patrons. An interdisciplinary review of the literature shows that few authors have devoted attention to library security in higher education. This study surveys the literature in library science, law enforcement, the social sciences, education , and general-interest publications. General and specific crimes are discussed, and suggestions are provided on how academic libraries can improve personal safety. Suggestions include: written emergency procedures, security equipment, and crime prevention staff training, along with safer building design, staff work area rearrangement, more campus involvement in library security, and improved employee/patron communication to ensure a safe, friendly, and pro-library environment. ampus crime threatens our college and university libraries, and our entire academic ~~!!!!!!!!!!~ community. ANew York Times Maga zine article called "The Campus Crime Wave" describes the personal dangers that exist on many American campuses: "From ax attacks in libraries to shootings at dances, violence on urban, suburban and rural campuses has transformed many schools into discreetly armed camps: electronic passkeys for dormitories, cold-steel mesh on classroom windows, computer-controlled cameras in stairwells, alarm strips in toilet stalls." 1 Crime has become such a serious problem on campuses that in 1992, Congress passed the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act, which requires academic institutions to report the crime rate and types of offenses occurring on their campuses. 2
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