READIT-2007 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

ROLE OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE AND
SECURITY SYSTEMS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
L. Rajendran * and G. Rathinasabapathy **
Abstract
Academic libraries are not always safe and secure places and they are facing a wide variety
of security concerns which includes the theft and mutilation of library materials. The results of a
number of library studies reported that a majority of the academic libraries across the globe are
having problems with security. However, it is the duty of any academic library to keep the library
buildings, shelves and stacks open and free without losing items to make available or putting
individuals at unacceptable risk from the malicious, avaricious or senseless acts of others. Arresting or
expelling a member for material theft or book/periodical mutilation is common in libraries of
developed countries. But, things are different in Indian conditions. In this context, the technological
advances made it possible to install electronic security systems to overcome the security threats to
some extent. These electronic security systems typically provide alarm notification to the appropriate
authorities, entry control, and site surveillance. The major elements of these systems include burglar
protection, collection security, access control, and video surveillance. This paper attempts to discuss
various electronic surveillance and security systems available to ensure academic library security.
Keywords: Electronic Surveillance, Security Systems, Collection Security, Access Control,
Video Surveillance, Academic Library
1. INTRODUCTION
A library forming part of or attached to a university, college or any
educational institution is known as academic library. Academic libraries differ from a
public library and special library in purpose and of its services. The main function of
an academic library is to function as an auxiliary to parent institution in carrying out
its objectives mainly the education. Library is an important intellectual resource of the
academic community and helps them for their self-development to fulfill the
curriculum requirements and to promote studies and research.
2. ACADEMIC LIBRARY
The importance of academic libraries was aptly recorded by the Education
Commission headed by Prof. D.S. Kothari in its report that “the academic library
should provide library facilities and services necessary for success of all formal
programmes of instruction, open the door to the world of knowledge that lies beyond
the boundaries of own field of qualification and bring books, students and scholars,
together under conditions which encourage reading pleasure, self discovery, personal
growth and the sharpening of intellectual curiosity”.
Therefore, the academic library has to build a strong collection in the form of
physical, electronic and digital to cater to the knowledge requirements of students,
faculty members, research scholars and scientists of the academic institution. The
digital collection can easily be preserved on computer systems or other suitable media
* Assistant Librarian, Department of Library Science, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007
** Assistant Librarian, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai – 600 007
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