Ensuring the safety of the Library's staff members, visitors, collections, facilities and computer resources remained a major priority. During the year, the Library made progress in implementing its security enhancement plan, a multiyear program of physical security upgrades. Under one of the three major components of the plan, the Library is consolidating its two police communications centers in the Madison and Jefferson buildings into one state-of-the-art Police Communications Center (LCPCC) in the Jefferson Building. Construction of the LCPCC began at the end of January, with anticipated completion by the end of June 2003. Under the second major component of the plan, the Library will expand entry and perimeter security to include additional X-ray machines and detection equipment, security upgrades of building entrances, exterior monitoring cameras and lighting, and garage and parking lot safeguards. Work moved forward on this initiative, with a goal of completing this phase of the Library's perimeter security plan by the end of 2003. The third component of the plan was completed in 2001 with the hiring and training of 46 new police officers and five police administrative personnel. In 2002, the new Police Administrative Unit functions were consolidated, ensuring a smooth transition of administrative functions from the Office of Security's support staff.
The Library continued to safeguard its information systems resources through the implementation of technology solutions and computer security awareness training for the staff. An internal penetration study initiated by the Inspector General's Office revealed no significant holes in the Library's network or computer defenses. Additional firewalls were implemented while virtual private network connections, providing secure access from remote sites, were extended locally and to the Library's overseas offices.
