Preparing for end of business - a manager's role and responsibility for securing property

Hi guys. As most of you are aware we’ve had a rash of break-ins at our neighborhood libraries during the last month or two.  We are working to solve this, and to that end I need your help with some basic things over the next 30 days.  At the end of business today, and for the next month, 4 things need to happen each and every night, whether you are there to manage the close of the building, or not:

 

1. ALL lights inside the library need to be kept ON when you lock up for the evening
2.  ALL blinds in your library need to left in the OPEN position when you lock up for the evening
3. All Library assets, including laptop computers, iPads, iPad minis, digital cameras, and anything else of value, need to be locked in a storage closet in the staff area. If your laptop cart locks, please ensure that it is locked once you have stored all of the laptops for the day before rolling it into the storage closet as an additional safety measure.   If your laptop cart(s) are lockable, but you do not have the necessary equipment to lock IT, or you some other issue with your laptop cart that keeps you from being able to secure the laptops in the cart, email Laurie Covington and let her know what the problems is so we can hopefully come up with a timely solution so you can better secure your branch laptops and other valuables
4.  Do a final walk-through of your building at end of business – checking all doors to be sure they’re safely latched (including safety doors) and just keeping an eye out for anything that looks unusual

 After 30 days we will begin shutting off all the lights at end of business, but #2, #3, and #4 should be standard operating procedure from here on out.  

 As the Location Manager or Assistant Manager, and therefore usually the person in charge, you are responsible for ensuring that these things happen nightly. If you will not be the person in charge on any given night, please be sure your senior staff member knows and understands what needs to happen at end of business.  If something does happen at your location, inform your senior manager, take pictures and submit an incident report immediately. If you suspect that anything at your library has been tampered with, such as a window, a door, an alarm box, or if anything that just doesn’t feel right – let the people in the “Cc:” box know because I’d rather be too cautious than not cautious enough. 

 

Thanks, and as always – please let me know if you have any questions.

Michele

Michele Gorman

Deputy Director of Customer Experience

Houston Public Library - We link people to the world.

500 McKinney | Houston, TX  77002

832-393-1329

Michele.Gorman@houstontx.gov

 

The Houston Public Library is a vital member of a dynamic and diverse local, national, and global community.

 

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