Theft and damage in an academic library: the student experience

Abstract

Reports results of a research project designed to gather information on the prevalence of theft in a large university library in England with particular ref erence to students' attitudes towards theft and damage, its effect on their study ing and on their preferred methods for its reduction. A sample of students from 3 main degrees within the Social Science Faculty were invited to small focus groups to discuss issues relating to library theft. Findings from these groups were used to structure a detailed anonymous student questionnaire survey, the results of which are reported and analysed using the SPSS sta tistical package. The survey established: the extent to which students stole or damaged library books or knew other people who did so; the extent to which theft affected their studies; their attitudes to theft; and the relative popular ity of different security measures and penalties. It was generally concluded that students are affected by library theft and are concerned about its impact on their studies. Although students supported the use of penalties for those students who steal or damage library materials, they did not support the intro duction of surveillance based security measures. Stresses the importance of involving students on a partnership basis in running the library and making the library a more positive place to work.