[Access-ip] Access to non-affiliated users

Thu Jan 27 13:17:03 CST 2011

Hi Michael,

University of Chicago Library has slightly different policies for its main humanities and social sciences library (Regenstein) and its sciences library (Crerar) with regard to members of the public. I've mainly covered Regenstein here, but mentioned Crerar when applicable.

What are your main library's operating hours?

Regenstein is open 8am-1am Mon-Thurs, 8am-10p Fri-Sat, 10am-1am Sun, with reduced hours when classes are not in session. In addition, the A Level reading room serves as an all-night study space from 1am-8am Sunday-Thursday nights.

If you offer access to non-affiliated users, what restrictions do you have regarding access to computers, library space, time of day, etc?

Members of the public who live within 60 miles of Chicago must present a government ID and an Infopass (a program sponsored by the Metropolitan Library System) signed by a reference librarian confirming that the material to which they need access is not held in another Chicago-area library. This allows them up to 5 free day passes (information is stored in a database). Members of the public who wish to conduct extended research using the University of Chicago Library collections may apply for extended privileges by mailing a written statement of purpose to the ID & Privileges office; if approved, they can purchase access privileges for $75 per quarter.

Crerar Library (our science library) is open to members of the public with specific research needs related to the sciences and medicine during Visitor Hours only. Members of the public must present a valid photo ID and complete a Visitor's Access form at the Crerar Circulation desk and may be asked to consult with the Reference Librarian before being admitted. Crerar has specific visitor's hours for the public (9am-5pm Mon-Sat).

How are these restrictions imposed - security guard/docent, locked doors, electronic access, etc?

In both cases, there is an entry control attendant and card-activated turnstiles. Guests with day passes must show the day pass to the entry control attendant, who will then let them through the turnstile. In cases when the ID & Privileges office is closed, visitors must sign in on a visitors log and then go directly to Circulation to be issued a day pass.

Do all guests need to purchase some kind of library card or day pass?

Yes, though day passes are free (up to 5 day passes per quarter).

Do you have a security guard who patrols your library?  What is the protocol should s/he find someone after hours who is not supposed to be in the library?  How often are rounds made?

Neither Regenstein nor Crerar currently have a security guard, though there has been some discussion about putting such a program into place in the evening hours. Campus police do one round of the Regenstein 5 minutes before we close announcing that the building is closing and that everyone needs to exit or go to the all-night study space (if open). They do not stay to verify if patrons comply with this request.

Do you have anything posted on your entrance to indicate accessible hours to non-affiliates?

We do not, only the building hours are posted at the entrance to Regenstein. Crerar, I believe, posts their visitor's hours at their entrance. In both cases, it is an 8.5x11 paper printout in a sign holder.

How is egress handled in your library; specifically, how do you impede someone's exit when they are attempting to steal library materials - security guard/docent, turnstile, moat?

Turnstile and 3M gate with entry control attendant. If the 3M gate goes off, the entry control attendant has the patron check for library material and head back to Circulation to have it de-sensitized. We do not inspect bags, nor do we print due date slips, so books are not checked at the exit. We are also in the process of installing security cameras at all exit points of Regenstein.

Any anecdotal information that sheds light on the problems/resolutions your institution has had would be greatly appreciated.

In cases where someone (regardless of affiliation) presents a recurrent problem or has, for example, been legally restricted from University property, their name, description, and photo (if available) are added to a secure online list of "problem" individuals. Entry control staff have access to this list to help them recognize individuals who should not be permitted entry to Library buildings.

You're welcome to contact myself or Edd Merkel, our Head of ID & Privileges, (oedipus at uchicago.edu) with questions or clarifications. Our access policies are also pretty well documented online (http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/using/access/). Let me know if we can be of any further help.

Best,
David
--
David W. Bottorff
Head of Stacks, Regenstein Library
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
Office: (773) 834-1244
dbottorff at uchicago.edu
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Today's Topics:

   1. Access to non-affiliated users (Michael Finigan)

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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:56:12 -0500
From: Michael Finigan <michael.finigan at duke.edu>
To: "access-ip at lists.lib.uchicago.edu"
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Subject: [Access-ip] Access to non-affiliated users
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Duke University is experiencing a recent uptick in problems arising from our liberal public access policy and is looking to possibly tighten them.  I would appreciate feedback on your policy for non-affiliated users for discussions our library administration will be having in the next few weeks.

A little background:  Duke has two separate campuses.  The East Campus serves basically as the freshman campus and is served by Lilly library, open until 4 AM Sunday - Thursday, to midnight Fri/Sat.  Lilly is within walking distance of downtown Durham and had for a number of years been plagued by hordes of after-school kids and homeless hangabouts.  Perkins library, on the larger West Campus, is a bit more isolated from the general public but still easily reached by foot or public transportation and is open 24/7.  The university has for years held a commitment to working with the Durham community - faculty working with local school programs, summer camps, arts events, services at Duke Chapel, etc.  Free onsite access to library resources, along with limited reference assistance, has been part of that commitment.  In the past few years, non-affiliated users began to be a much larger presence in Lilly, and last academic year among other preventative measures we instituted a on!
 e-hour limit on computers and no building access after 9 PM.  As a result, many of the Lilly hangabouts have since decamped in Perkins, whose administration for various political reasons has been reluctant to address the issue.  Now that we've had a book-stealing ring busted and a series of laptop thefts, the administration is finally agreeing to take seriously the complaints my staff have been making for years.  So your answers to the following would be greatly appreciated: