WHEN: Wednesday, October 29 @ 2:30 pm (Eastern)
TOPIC: Safety and Security in the Library
Speakers
Bill Ptacek, CEO, Calgary Public Library
Mark Asberg, Director, Service Delivery, Calgary Public Library
Another to be announced
Learning Objectives
During this session, participants will:
- Learn about security issues facing public libraries in urban settings
- Understand the theoretical foundations for environmental criminological analysis in a library setting
- Take away practical solutions for library security in a real-world context
Session Description
While increasing the number of security guards and their mandate of powers is counter to the philosophy of openness of any library, urban libraries experiencing serious problems with crime and aberrant behaviour need to implement a robust response to safety and security to effect change. However, effective and lasting safety solutions go beyond an increased security presence in the library. Environmental crime prevention is a discipline based on the idea that altering physical spaces can address crime by reducing suitable targets, removing offenders’ motivations, and ensuring that a capable guardian is in place.