OVERVIEW:
The electronic devices in your library building should be near the top of your list for protection. Some of these items belong to the facility, some to the staff, and some to the patrons. This includes smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, laser and color printers, 3D printers, PCs, computer lab room equipment, and training room equipment (such as flat-screen TVs and ceiling-mounted or desktop projectors). Don’t forget all of the accompanying equipment, like router devices, remotes, mice, keyboards, and specialized power supply cords—all of which can be tedious and sometimes expensive to replace. Some of these devices might belong to patrons or staff, with most belonging to the library; they all need protection from theft, vandalism, and cyber-sabotage.
And consider that the most valuable room in your library–your IT server room–is one you probably don’t think of much, until there is a problem with its contents, and then the collective stress in the building soars. Your IT server room houses the network devices that keep your library online. Where we place this equipment sometimes feels like an afterthought, usually in a closet-like room in a back-office hallway. The locks for this important room range from none, to too-cheap, to electronic access key cards with only a few cardholders—which is what it needs to be.
This webinar will help library leaders and staff to take the tools and tips presented and work together to etter protect the electronic devices in their facilities.
LEARNING AGENDA:
- How to do your own library security assessment for your electronic devices, both as a visual inspection and an inventory control list.
- The use and value of asset tags.
- Physical theft deterrents: locks, cables, racks.
- The importance of access control in rooms with electronic devices.
- Staff vigilance, inspections, and constant oversight for asset monitoring.
- Using cameras for deterrence and evidence collection.
- Making police reports for stolen or missing items.
About the Speaker
DR. STEVE ALBRECHT. Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons. He has written 27 books, including: Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities (ALA, 2015); The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023); The Library Leader’s Guide to Human Resources: Keeping it Real, Legal, and Ethical (Rowman & Littlefield, May 2025); and The Library Leader’s Guide to Employee Coaching: Building a Performance Culture One Meeting at a Time (Rowman & Littlefield, June 2026). Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment.
He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with seven dogs and two cats. More on The Safe Library at thesafelibrary.com. Follow on X (Twitter) at @thesafelibrary and on YouTube @thesafelibrary. Dr. Albrecht’s professional website is drstevealbrecht.com.
