Safe and secure in the knowledge

Kieran Nash finds out why security guards are required at some Auckland libraries.
As school holidays end, librarians can breathe a little easier. Many libraries are employing security guards to deal with theft and antisocial behaviour, which increases over the break and after school.
North Shore, Auckland and Manukau cities use guards in some of their libraries. Waitakere doesn't.
Kathy Davie, an Avondale resident and community board member, wonders why there is a need for a security guard at her local library.
"It just shows the discipline that's gone when the library staff don't have the authority to say, 'You won't bring your antisocial behaviour in here'," she says. She wonders why ratepayers pay for a guard when the police station is so near.
Cheryl Fowler, acting manager of Manukau Libraries, says her use of guards depends on identified need and risk.
"As libraries are open evenings and weekends, security guards assist in providing a safe environment for customers and staff. They are also necessary at some libraries during peak times when large numbers of customers are using limited resources."
She says guards help ensure users respect the rights of others and abide by bylaws.
Paul Goldsmith, for Auckland City Libraries, says there have been some unsavoury incidents. The main problems, he says, are intimidating behaviour, such as shouting, bad language and knocking things around, but theft has also been an issue.
"You can't expect librarians to have to deal with bad behaviour. The presence of a guard reinforces the idea of a safe and welcoming place."
The presence of guards in some libraries but not others reflects the concentrations of antisocial behaviour in some areas, he says.
Across the bridge, North Shore Libraries manager Geoff Chamberlain says five of the city's seven libraries employ guards at lock-up time to help secure larger buildings. Northcote Library sometimes increases security during school holidays.
In Manukau, eight of the 15 libraries have guards: Botany, Mangere East, Mangere Town Centre, Manurewa, Otara, Papatoetoe, Te Matariki Clendon and Tupu.
Six of Auckland City's 17 libraries employ guards: Avondale, Mt Roskill, Mt Eden, Onehunga, Panmure and Auckland Central.
Having a security guard is a regulation at Auckland Central Library because of the value of some of the Alexander Turnbull collections, such as an original Shakespeare manuscript and the world's second largest Alexandre Dumas collection.