Electronic security has checked into America’s libraries, thanks to radio frequency identification (RFID) and (EM) electromagnetic tagging, as well as barcoding. Some facilities are even installing self-check in/out security systems.
Even before such new technology, the library security challenge has always been there: patron and employee access control, asset protection and inventory tracking. More recently, the stakes have been raised — there are more people entering public and school libraries; thieves see value in property ranging from rare books and movies to DVDs; and decreasing library budgets push for more security automation.