Collection security management systems used by public libraries at South Coast region in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)

Abstract

This study investigated the collection security management systems used by public libraries at South Coast region, KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of the study were: 1) to identify the collection security management systems used by public libraries at the South Coast region in KwaZulu-Natal; 2) to determine the effectiveness of collection security management systems used at the South Coast region public libraries in KwaZulu-Natal; and 3) to identify any challenges faced by librarians at South Coast region public libraries in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the collection security management systems they use. Public librarians in charge of public libraries at South Coast region were chosen for inclusion in the study using a census. A qualitative approach was used in this study, and adopted interpretivism as it is a qualitative study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 librarians of public libraries which fall under 4 municipalities, namely Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Umdoni Municipality, eThekwini Metro, and Umuziwabantu Municipality. This study adopted a theoretical framework called Collection Security Management in Libraries. The theory is “house” Security Management Model. Data collected was analyzed using Tech’s approach and presented in the form of figures, tables and text. Findings of the study revealed that very few public libraries in the South Coast region use latest electronics security gates to detect unauthorized removal of library collection. A majority of the public libraries in the South Coast region use old systems such as the 3M system and traditional ways of detecting unauthorized removal of the library collection. Findings also revealed that there is no budget allocated for library collection security; no library security management team; and those public libraries that have collection security systems in place still face many challenges although it is effective. The challenges include the prolonged time it takes to service the systems or fix a faulty collection security system; the system not being fixed at all when it is faulty; library users bypassing the system; and the limited supply of tags/magnetic strips. It is recommended that all public libraries at South Coast region in KZN should consider having effective collection security systems to protect library collections, allocate funds for their library collection security, and form a Library Management Team. Lastly, this study recommends that libraries using collection security management systems must be aware of challenges such as power outages; service providers taking time to fix the electronic collection security gate when it is dysfunctional; people removing security tags on library materials; no quick response when the alarm sounds; bypassing of the system; and some books not being tagged with security tags.