Book details of 'Management of Library and Archival Security: From the Outside Looking in'

Title	Management of Library and Archival Security: From the Outside Looking in
Author(s)	Robert Keating O'Neill
ISBN	0789005190
Language	English
Published	June 1998
Publisher	Haworth Press

---

Back to shelf Computer security
Amazon.com info for Management of Library and Archival Security: From the Outside Looking in

Score:

Vote for this book

The Virtual Bookcase Reviews of 'Management of Library and Archival Security: From the Outside Looking in':

Reviewer Rob Slade wrote:
This appears to be a hardcover "co-print" of Volume 25, Number 1, of the Journal of Library Administration. It talks about a wide range of security related issues, but also has significant weak points and holes in the coverage. Organization is random, with poor division according to the titular subject of the different papers. The organization also appears to be exactly backwards, with the first essay looking at what to do *after* you've been robbed, and the last discussing policy. Both quality and style vary from paper to paper. Those sections that do deal with law enforcement and reporting relate strictly to the United States, with one token mention of a British reporting group. While a number of important areas are touched on, and a good deal of useful information is given, it may be hard to find, or find again. The article on security, for example, does not provide practical details of patron access to highly secured special collections, although both the articles on audit and policies do address specific features and points. On the other hand, the piece that does address the need to provide lockers for patrons forced to leave coats and bags outside the reading room is not followed up with the greater necessity for similar provisions for staff facing the same restrictions. The article on the aftermath of a theft will probably be useful to those who are panicked by the first such occurrence. The material provides good, practical advice for those in the emotional throws of the event, although most of it is simple common sense. The paper on audit, on the other hand, says very little about auditing, and the content is does contain is theoretical and abstruse. Law enforcement gets a folksy treatment, and, in similar fashion to the first essay, seems to concentrate on calming nerves. Some advice on the issue of records and evidence useful in court might have been helpful. A recounting of a case recovering illegally transported artifacts is interesting, but serves primarily to remind managers of the importance of communication with colleagues and the range of law enforcement agencies. The single paper on security itself emphasizes preservation from the elements and makes only a token mention of active security against theft and none against fraud. The final article on security policies gives much practical advice on a variety of matters, but doesn't really address policy. Given the current importance of both library management systems and electronic access to collections and other information resources I find it significant that none of the essays discuss data security. As a short introduction to a specialty topic this has its place, but those seeking a complete resource will be disappointed. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998
Add my review for Management of Library and Archival Security: From the Outside Looking in