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The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential and adoption of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance-based security system (hereafter “CCTV”) for enhancing the security of library materials in academic libraries of universities (central, state, deemed and private) and prestigious institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management in a developing country, i.e. India. The study also overviewed the CCTV policies of the studied libraries of universities/institutions as they relate to the ethical aspects of the surveillance system.

Structured questionnaire was designed and distributed among librarians of 24 academic libraries covering each zone of India in October 2019 in both physical and online manner. All 24 filled-in questionnaires were collected personally and online by the investigator were found valid eliciting a response rate of 100%. All the 24 filled-in questionnaires were included in the analysis of the interpretation of data. The response to 18 questions was analyzed in the form of tables and figures using descriptive statistical methods.

The study reveals that librarians’ found CCTV useful for security by controlling theft, unethical losses and missing items. It also helped to curb mutilation and vandalism, procurement of the rare material via the latest camera devices and night vision capturing, besides improving the service efficiency of the patron, as well as staff. The quantitative study surveyed security professionals to assess how each university/institution developed, deployed and integrated CCTV policies related to securing video data, safeguarding privacy and prevention of the potential for the unethical use of surveillance cameras. The analysis of the survey responses determined that more than 50% of the universities/institutions participating had a written CCTV policy. Further, library professionals find that the future of libraries lies in a CCTV system, so the cost should be brought down to improve return on investment by the mass adoption of this technology in a developing country such as India.

The findings of the study showed that the potential uses of CCTV in Indian libraries are slow compared to that of the libraries of developed countries and some of the developing countries. Many of the CCTV policies that universities/institutions did have failed to include mandated training of personnel or provisions ensuring that their policies remained up-to-date. It is suggested that universities and institutions understudy should realize the benefits of CCTV systems and incorporate-related updated tools in the security and multi-purpose uses in the libraries to enhance the services for the users and security for the materials or collections.

The paper includes implications for libraries and their professionals to approach CCTV systems with ethical considerations for procurement of library collections, which help to detect mutilation/theft, observe the misbehavior of users, as well as staff and deployment, should not be decided merely while balancing security demands.

The study is significant because it represents one of the earliest works to shed light on the current level of the use of CCTV system by librarians of studied libraries of universities/institutes in developing country such as India and how they are providing CCTV-based security and services, which are currently in its primitive nature. The study also suggested that select libraries are required to weigh up and balance many competing desires, demands and objectives.

This paper provides a concise overview of the various applications/area and uses of CCTV system including its procedures during implementation, merits and demerits while using the system described above in libraries and recommends this technology to other libraries for faster and better services for their users and security to their library materials in today’s technological advancement. It provides a set of issues that should be considered before system adoption or deployment.

Librarians across the world are increasingly concerned with the safety and physical integrity of valuable intellectual properties. The scenario in developing countries is exacerbated by economic difficulties. A survey of the problem in the Nigerian universities of technology revealed that in common with their traditional counterparts, they are not immune from theft and mutilation. Reference and periodical materials are the most likely materials that will be mutilated. Librarians could neither curb nor stem the problem. All of the libraries still rely solely on manual checks carried out by unskilled personnel at the library entrance and exit. The high cost of photocopying and frequent breakdown of copiers were the causes of library material theft and mutilation. Only 14 per cent of the respondents indicated greediness. There is a compelling need for the Committee of the University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU) to address the problem and put in place measures that would effectively monitor this crime, or else the Nigerian university libraries will soon be empty.

The paper examines the incidence of theft and mutilation of library materials, and gives users’ assessment of library security and factors that influence theft and mutilation among library users in Nigerian university libraries. Questionnaire method was used to obtain data. Of the users surveyed, 62.63 percent admitted that stealing and mutilation were common phenomena among library users. Some reasons given for this are: limited copies of library books, fear that one may not find the materials on the shelf and negligence of library security men. Suggestions were made on how to deal with culprits caught. The paper concludes by offering some useful suggestions on the way out of these problems.

Routine tasks, such as transactions at the bank, grocery store and gas station, are becoming more and more automated, making daily activities more efficient. 3M Library Systems are now applying the same technologies to library work in a way that promises to change the whole way staff work and patrons visit the library. This article looks at the benefits of the 3M™ Digital Identification System is bringing to the Curriculum Materials Library (CML) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

To reflect on activities and developments related to the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management since its implementation at the UNLV Libraries, including system hardware and software developments and the UNLV Libraries' evolving relationship with 3M™.

Following an introduction which highlights the major 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management components in place at the UNLV Libraries, product improvements that have expanded the functionality of the system are detailed, patrons and staff benefits of the technology are described, and RFID privacy issues at the UNLV Libraries are examined.

Expanded capability and use of the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management system has allowed the UNLV Libraries to establish more efficient processes for undertaking collection management activities, such as inventory and weeding. The system has also had a positive impact on customer service. Benefits of the system currently outweigh the potential risks in terms of patron privacy.

Libraries must continually assess their positions on radio frequency identification (RFID) and patron privacy as technology progresses. Additional possibilities and developments stemming from further collaboration between libraries and vendors in areas such as product standardization are anticipated.

Provides information on innovative uses of the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management system and gives concrete examples of system benefits. Useful to libraries considering the implementation of an RFID system, those currently working with the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management system, and those considering collaborative work on product development with a vendor.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is the alpha/beta test site for 3M™ Library Systems Digital Identification System, a cutting‐edge technology in library materials flow and collection management. This article discusses the components of the system and their assimilation and testing at a UNLV branch library, the Curriculum Materials Library (CML), in anticipation of the opening of Lied Library. Challenges and discoveries in the development of the system and implementation differences between a small and large library are outlined. Future growth for both product development and the UNLV libraries’ use of the system are forecasted.

Vernacular materials present stories of different cultures and people. Management of these resources is not just about storing records for history and research; they also represent the democratic credentials of the government. Libraries play a crucial role here. The purpose of this study is to look into the existing preservation practices at university libraries, such as digitisation.

This study has applied descriptive research methods for the systematic literature analysis along with structured questionnaires for the primary data collection. The research sample was 50 university libraries spread in different provinces in India.

The analysis critically describes the strategies of implementing the preservation practices and factors of deterioration of the old and rare materials. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the university libraries are using digitisation of rare materials, and binding, de-acidification and pest control were common practices of restoration.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, based on the literature analysis, the primary investigation and research gap indicated that no attempts have been made to explore the digitisation practice and other restoration approaches among university libraries. Preservation practices vary from case to case; however, such common practices at these university libraries provide evidence-based examples which is useful for the larger group of people to choose more suitable conservation techniques. This study will help researchers of conservationists to identify the factors of preservation and conservation practices at university libraries in India in special respect to the rare vernacular literature.

Describes the new library building of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, completed in 1992. Gives a brief history of the existing library as background. Highlights the planning processes involved, including critical choices made, location of the building, preparation of architects′ briefs, architect‐librarian relationship, choice of building contractors and features of the building. Discusses problems of supervision, security and maintenance likely to arise from the use of the building. Concludes that the library building meets the required functional and aesthetical standards required of libraries in the tropics and should be critically studied by other Nigerian universities planning to put up their own libraries.

The 3M company, which has largely limited its interest in contributing to library technology to creation of its Tattle‐Tape security strips that are embedded in books and then desensitized before a library patron can enter an exit checkpoint, has now developed a much more useful and affirmative device.