Theft and Loss From U.K. Libraries: A National Survey

• NCJ Number: 159997
• Author(s): J Burrows; D Cooper
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 62 pages
• Corporate Author: Great Britain Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Police Research Group Crime Prevention Unit Series: Paper 37

Annotation

This report summarizes findings from the first comprehensive survey of the financial loss suffered by libraries in the U.K. through book theft and mutilation.

Abstract

Researchers collected data through a national survey of libraries, good practice inquiries, and participation in a countywide library security initiative. The report examines the extent of loss and damage to books in U.K. libraries, and investigates causes of loss, including nonreturns, theft by staff, and book mutilation. The loss to British libraries could be minimized through loan management practices that included monitoring and follow-up, promotion of borrower responsibilities, fines policy, book recovery, and book amnesties. Thefts from library premises could be reduced through security tagging devices programs aimed at decreasing opportunities for theft, and harsher penalties for offenders. 2 appendixes and 22 references