Following the LIBER Conference on Library Security Management in Copenhagen
(12-14 May 2002), draft 'Copenhagen Principles' have been produced <
http://www.kb.dk/guests/intl/liber/news/copenhagenprinciples.htm > and
mounted on the LIBER site.
The introduction concludes that "openness on the part of libraries is a
crucial factor in [dealing with criminal attacks]. Institutional silence can
only be to the benefit of the thief." However, while it was agreed
(Principle 1) to "establish a new security network for trans-national
co-operation between libraries in order to prevent and combat criminal
offences against significant library collections", Principle 8 states that
"information about security issues is confidential to the security network".
Principle 9 states that "the representatives encourage LIBER to establish
co-operation on security issues with the book trade and with other memory
institutions".
Discussion of these issues (particularly as they relate to map thefts), with
a general listing of relevant links, can be found at <
http://ihr.sas.ac.uk/maps/thefts.html >.
Tony Campbell
former Map Librarian, British Library
t.campbell@ockendon.clara.co.uk