Theft of Library Property

POLICY
Taking any material or property owned by the Library without properly checking it out is theft, and is against the law. See: 720 ILCS 5/16B-1.

Examples of theft include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Knowingly and intentionally removing any library material from a library facility without authority to do so.
2. Knowingly and intentionally concealing any library material upon his or her person or among his or her belongings with intent to circumvent checking out that material.
3. Using a stolen or fraudulent library card.
4. Failing to return checked out library material as described in the above citation.
5. Leaving the library facility with any material not intended for circulation, i.e. rare documents, local history/genealogy, special collections or equipment.

PROCEDURE

WHO
Security Officer
Staff Member

WHAT
1. If a person caught violating this policy Staff Member seems harmless, the Staff Member should explain that the action/theft is against the law and must stop. The incident should be reported to the Staff Person in charge who will determine if the police will be called or will discuss means of restitution.
2. If the person is acting in violation of this policy and obviously not approachable, the Staff Member should call the police immediately.
3. The Staff Member involved will send a written Incident Report Form detailing the incident to the Director.
4. The Library will post a copy of the Protection of Library Materials Act 720 ILCS 5/16 B-1 at each entrance and at each circ desk, as required by that act.

WHAT TO SAY
My name is ____________, and I work here the here at the Library. Theft of Library property is against the law, and I need you to stop. My supervisor will be here shortly.

Theft of Library Property at a Theft Detection System

POLICY
The primary purpose of security system is to protect library property. There may be frequent false alarms, unintentional removal of library materials or even staff errors that may cause an alarm. When an alarm is activated, the incident will be investigated in a firm, but courteous manner and as privately as possible. If the incident does turn out to be a matter of theft, the theft will be handled as outlined in the THEFT OF LIBRARY PROPERTY policy above.

PROCEDURE

WHO
Security Officer
Staff Member

WHAT
1. If an alarm sounds, the person activating the alarm will politely be asked to step to a private place where it will be explained that an alarm, has indicated that the staff needs to investigate the cause. They should then investigate and try to determine why the alarm was activated.
2. If no cause can be determined or if the alarm sounded as a result of error, the staff member should apologize but affirm that the Library has a security system to protect the public’s investment in its Library.
3. If it is determined that there is an attempted theft, the Staff Member should proceed to measures outlined in the THEFT OF LIBRARY PROPERTY policy above.

WHAT TO SAY
My name is _______________, and I work here at the Library. Our security system alarm has sounded and I need you to step over here so we can find out why.