HPL Security Update

Greetings HPL Staff.

This afternoon members of the Executive Leadership Team met with representatives from the Mayor’s Office and the City of Houston’s General Services Division to discuss the recent rash of burglaries in our libraries. We know you are all concerned about these recent break-ins, and we can assure you we are just as concerned, as well as committed to finding a solution.  We are working with our partners, including the COH Police Department, to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

One thing we had done recently that we hope will eliminate any future break-ins is to remove all keys from the 911 boxes that are located on the outside perimeters of all 42 of our libraries.   Additionally, today we agreed to a number of confidential security measures that we believe will enhance the security of our facilities. Also, in the coming days you should notice GSD staff or contractors addressing any security related Sprocket orders that you have placed,  and we have placed a priority on repairing or replacing all damaged or non-functioning laptop carts, that you’ve submitted.

On December 12th an email was sent asking that ALL interior lights be left on overnight when you and your colleagues secure the building for the evening. Today we're asking you to continue leaving all lights on at night for the foreseeable future. If your lights are on an automatic timer, please submit a Sprocket work order to have the motion sensors overridden for the foreseeable future.  You can choose the “Electrical Other” option as the Sprocket category and include what you need done in the comments section.  When you have your work order number, please email it to Karrington Burnett in SPACES with the subject line of LIGHTS OVERRIDE @ your location.

Additionally, please continue to secure all Library assets (including laptops) before closing for the night in a location that is not visible from the outside.  Ideally, this will be in a locked closet.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and as always, please do not hesitate to contact either of us, if you have any questions.

Michele Gorman & John Middleton