We use the 3M Red Tag system of locking cases here. Expensive yes, but so was the staff time involved in pulling CDs and DVDs from the sleeves kept behind the counter prior to its implementation. We never tried the donut strip overlays so cannot comment on those.
As far as loss goes, we do lose some. We had a rash of pried-open cases, both CD and DVD, earlier this year. Quite frustrating - once a thief figures out how to get them open and remove the disc, it's just a matter of taking them to a secluded corner of the building, restroom, or whatever and helping themselves. Leaving the case (where the security strip lives) behind, they're free to leave with the discs. We eventually resorted to clearing the shelves of the types of music (it was mostly CDs that were stolen) the thief favored until the thefts stopped. I'm not the one in charge of keeping track of how much we lost, but I can say without hesitation that we lose far more to checked-out-but-never-returned than we do to unauthorized removal from the building. I can say, it hurts more when you not only have the loss of the item, but the pricey security case as well. Kind of a double whammy. In the end, it will probably require an advanced degree in statistical analysis to weigh that cost-benefit ratio you mentioned... -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] on behalf of Juliet Dayday Sent: Fri 12/3/2010 3:04 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Videolib] Open stacks and security cases Hi Mary, We currently use both at our library. We initially only used the donut strips. However, after a wave of thefts (someone probably discovered that discs inside certain laptops do not alert the security system) we outfitted most of the collection with locking cases in addition to the security strips. This does get expensive and I have wondered if we are spending just as much in the cases as we would have to replace items (of course all high-priced/out of print materials are in locked cabinets and not out on the shelves). What I have been doing recently is putting only "high risk" items in the locked cases. If you can profile what sorts of items tend to get stolen, then you could selectively re-case those items. In our library it's the action films and anything with "sex" in the title. I hope this helps, Juliet ________________________________ From: Mary Hanlin <[email protected]> Reply-To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 13:57:39 -0800 To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: [Videolib] Open stacks and security cases Hi Videolibbers, I'm interested in knowing how many libraries with open stacks use security cases (something like Alpha or Kwik cases) as opposed to something like the donut strips/overlays. Currently, we use security cases at one of our campuses (we have four). We use the donuts overlays at the others. Our loss/missing rate for the campuses using the donuts is higher, but it's not absolutely terrible. I am essentially trying to determine the cost/benefit ratio: is it better to acquire pricey security cases and have a lower loss rate, or is it better to stick with our donut stripped DVDs. Any input, including advice from public libraries (we're building a joint-use library with the city of Virginia Beach) would be appreciated. Mary Hanlin Media Collection Development Librarian Tidewater Community College P: 757-822-2133 F: 757-822-2149 [email protected] ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information or otherwise be protected by law. Any access, use, disclosure or distribution of this email message by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is unauthorized and prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient (or an agent acting on an intended recipient's behalf), please contact the sender by reply email and immediately destroy all copies of the original message. Virus scanning is recommended on all email attachments.
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VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
