[CPProt.net] Map thief prompts library security concerns across the country

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Map thief prompts library security concerns across the country
By Alex Raphel
October 11, 2005 in News

Librarians and curators across the country have been frantically checking
their map collections since June, after E. Forbes Smiley III, a 49-year-old
antique dealer from Massachusetts, was discovered stealing more than
$700,000-worth of rare maps from the Beinecke Library at Yale University.
Many prestigious institutions have also found themselves having to answer
questions about insufficient security policies and inadequate background
checks of dealers and collectors.

The Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library have reported
missing maps and though no one has yet accused Smiley in those cases, traces
of his visits are being analyzed for possible clues. The president of
Chicago's Newberry Library commented that two maps are missing from his
library's collection as well.

Alice Schreyer, director of Special Collections at the Regenstein Library on
campus was upset by the robbery. "Any sort of theft is terrible [.] and
these are important pieces of cultural history taken away from places where
they are used and enjoyed freely," she said.

Since the Regenstein is home to a number of valuable maps, the security
procedures in the Special Collections Department are fairly extensive. Any
visitors to the University must register at the Special Collections front
desk with two forms of identification before leaving all belongings in a
locker room. The stacks are not open, so people must request the material at
the front desk and a staff member will bring it up. The reading room, which
is the only place where the material may be used, is made of large glass
panels, making it easy for the staff to monitor all users.
Schreyer emphasized that the dilemma for curators and librarians has been
highlighted as a result of Smiley's actions. "Of course an incident like
this begs us to ask if we are doing enough to protect our collection, but
ultimately I believe it is important to preserve the balance between enough
security and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere," she said. "Our collection
is here to be used. It is important to provide an environment where people
feel they can be trusted with this rare and valuable collection."


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