Oxstu investigation prompts library security review
Information passed by The Oxford Student to the university pertaining to breaches in security at libraries is being reviewed by university authorities. An investigation by The Oxford Student found that staff at two of Oxford’s most famous libraries were not properly implementing new measures, introduced as part of the university’s ongoing review into library security.
The Oxford Student will not release details of the investigation, to avoid inciting further breaches, but passed the information to university authorities, who say it will “feed into our ongoing review of security and safety arrangements”.
A University spokesperson said: “Oxford is a large and complex institution, and we would encourage any members who have information which would help us as part of our regular reviews of safety issues to share this with us for the welfare of all our staff and students. “We also ask that all members of the University, and users of our library buildings, cooperate with any security measures as required. “Oxford University Library Services regularly reviews its security arrangements.
We would stress that there have been no direct threats to the library estate, and the main security issue for any library continues to be theft.” New security measures introduced over the summer include checking the bags of students both entering and exiting some major University libraries, and signs have been put up alerting students and staff of the changes. The university will not confirm what objects their staff have been told to look for in the bags of readers entering the library.
Bod cards belonging to students and staff have always been examined when entering most of the university’s libraries but previously student’s bags had only been searched when exiting some institutions. The spokesperson continued: “Bags may be searched when people enter and leave the Bodleian, and visitors should have their cards checked to ensure that they are registered users.
“This is part of general ongoing security improvements, and we would underline the fact that they are not linked to specific security concerns. “Students and staff at Oxford benefit from academic and intellectual freedoms which are vital to an institution such as this, including easy access to facilities. “The University must balance safety requirements with the need for its students and staff to be able to take full advantage of the amenities and opportunities which Oxford affords.
“This means that we must ensure that our security arrangements are proportionate to risk, but our public buildings should not become unwelcoming fortresses,” she added. The University has also faced threats from animal rights activists over the summer, due to the building of a biomedical research facility on South Parks Road.
As reported in The Oxford Student earlier this year, protestors told the University and all students that “from here on nothing you own, rent or have dealings with is off limits.” In July campaigners set fire to a boathouse used by a number of colleges, including Hertford, St Catherine’s and Mansfield, causing over half a million pounds worth of damage.
26 boats belonging to six colleges were destroyed in the blaze, and in September incendiary materials were also found at Corpus Christi sports pavilion. Traces of a catalyst used to increase the rate at which fire spreads were found at the scene, and the police later confirmed that the intention had been to start a fire.
Statements issued on Biteback, a website which is often used by animal rights activitists, stated that members of the Animal Liberation Front were responsible for both criminal incidents.
3rd Nov 2005