A contract has been signed with Computer Sciences Corporation(CSC) to conduct a comprehensive review of collections security at the Library of Congress. The $296,000 six-month contract will cover these areas:
- A physical security survey of the Adams, Jefferson and Madison Buildings and the Landover Center Annex. This survey will identify security risks, define the protection needed and make recommendations.
- A review of Library police operations as they relate to collections security and recommendations for improvements. This analysis will look at procedures, staffing, training, authority and qualifications.
- A security awareness program that will include staff training and public education.
- An inventory and condition report of general collections volumes among those most at risk. This will include an examination of each page and an annotated record by call number and title.
This contract follows an initial assessment by CSC at the Librarian's request in August. That review yielded a number of short-term recommendations in the areas of deterrence, surveillance, and access control that are being implemented now.
In the past three years, when the stacks were closed to the public, the Library has spent $4 million on collections security measures, including surveillance cameras, anti-theft strips in more than 1.5 million volumes, and Knogo security gates at Library building exits.
