[Access-ip] Access to non-affiliated users

[David McCaslin]

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Background - Caltech is probably smaller than all of the Ivies+ schools and the campus, itself, is smaller.  We have 5 libraries on campus (Millikan, Geology, Astronomy, Dabney, and Sherman Fairchild).  Sherman Fairchild and Millikan would probably meet your definition as "main library."  The bulk of the collections (that is not already in the Annex) is in either Millikan or Sherman Fairchild.  Most of the library administration is in Millikan but Sherman Fairchild is considered the student centered library.  Our access to non-affliated users is fairly strict.  Because of our location, we get a lot of commuters from UCLA/USC who would like to use us to study and that would result in overwhelming our capacity so it was decided that our emphasis should be on our own clientele first and foremost.  

What are your main library's operating hours? - Millikan - 8/9am-1am weekdays/weekends; Sherman Fairchild - 24/7

If you offer access to non-affiliated users, what restrictions do you have regarding access to computers, library space, time of day, etc? - Non-affliated users can come in prior to 5pm on weekdays only.  They can use any library space they like but are not able to log into public workstations

How are these restrictions imposed - security guard/docent, locked doors, electronic access, etc? - Doors lock at 5pm and only let in those with Caltech IDs.  After 5pm, security checks IDs of patrons who came in prior to 5pm.  Those without a Caltech ID (non-affliates) have to leave.  

Do all guests need to purchase some kind of library card or day pass? - Not all guests do if they just want to come in and study on weekdays between 8am-5pm but beyond that there is an associate membership one can purchase.

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? Yes we do have security, he/she checks for IDs on anyone who came in prior to 5pm after 5pm to make sure no one is in the library after 5pm who is not affliated with Caltech.  Anyone who is not affliated with Caltech is to leave.  

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

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? Security guard after 5pm, turnstile, security gate, and security camera staff can easily get to and review.  

Hope that helps,

David McCaslin


David McCaslin, MLIS
Head of Access and Fulfillment Services 
CalTech Library Services
California Institute of Technology
1200 East California Blvd. 
Pasadena, CA 91125
david at library.caltech.edu 



-----Original Message-----
From: access-ip-bounces at lists.lib.uchicago.edu [mailto:access-ip-bounces at lists.lib.uchicago.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Finigan
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 9:56 AM
To: access-ip at lists.lib.uchicago.edu
Subject: [Access-ip] Access to non-affiliated users

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:


What are your main library's operating hours?

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

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

Thanks a lot.......    michael

-------------------------
Michael Finigan
Head, Access & Delivery Services
Duke University Libraries
Box 90192
Durham, NC  27708
919 660-5872



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