Tighter security at National Library

NEW SECURITY measures, including additional guards, will be instituted at the National Library, Aber-cromby Street, to cope with vandalism and indiscipline which has been taking place since the facility opened to the public two months ago. In an advertisement yesterday the National Library and Information Systems Authority (NALIS) acknowledged several reports of thefts and vandalism affecting the library’s computers, furniture and equipment. A few persons were also found to be selling user’s cards. NALIS said it will “not tolerate behaviour that is destructive of public property or which hampers the ability of bona fide users of the facility to use it as intended.”

It noted that due to the increasing number of people seeking to access the library there have been “teething problems.” It said the Young Adult Library has seating capacity for 150, but the daily average of users has been 500. The number of youths passing through the facility has also increased three fold causing significant overcrowding bet-ween 2 pm and 5 pm daily. NALIS said the increased security presence will deal with crowd control and enforcement of rules. To ease congestion at the main entrance alternative accommodation has been found for lockers and bag storage areas. More librarians, library assistants and extra staff at the registration desk will be hired in response to the increase in users. NALIS said it will contact users who have not collected their cards and other measures are to be implemented “as necessary.”  

Debbie Goodman, NALIS Public Relations and Marketing Manager could not say how much theft and vandalism has cost the library because it is still being assessed. She also could not comment on how many more guards will be hired. Goodman said the authority will tour schools to sensitise students about the need to maintain the library facility for their own gain. In the past NALIS has invited principals of primary and secondary schools to the library “to talk to students about how to behave and the role of the facility.”