The university Library has just installed a barcode swipe system, where by you're not allowed into the building unless you wave your library card at a scanner. Which seems to me a little over protective; they've always had some turnstiles to stop people from running in or out and some security system system to stop people stealing books, but now they want to make sure that only university students are in there.
Now I could be wrong but I suspect that the people of Lincoln have much better things to do with their time then sneak into the university's library and look at the books. Most kids of a troublesome ilk won't decided that for laughs they'll go and look at some academic books they're not technically allowed to see. And as you can't actually borrow a book without a card all you could previously do was look at the book inside the building. Which hardly seems a massive security threat; library's aren't exactly the hang-out of choice, and reading a book inside isn't that bad surely?
Then again the security around here does seem to be a bit over the top. The changing rooms in some shop here (can't remember which) has three separate locks on the doors! Three? One wonders who complained that one lock wasn't enough, and then also requested a third because they didn't feel safe with two. Which seems to be paranoia in the extreme, especially considering there's a huge gap under the door large enough for any idiot to crawl through. Even with twelve inch deadbolts on the door anyone with the ability to lie down has incredibly easy access.
Interestingly as well as the locks the room also has a 'Press for Assistance' button. You know just in case you can't fit your jeans on, and you need some help. Of course you might think this is in case someone collapses on the floor, but the buttons so high you'd never reach it from there. I think the most likely reason for the assistance button is in case you can't re-open the door when you've uber-locked it.
However, going back to security, I suppose its not just here that has stupid security. One of the train stations I passed through recently had a big wooden door on the station with a huge sign saying "Security by Safe Force"(Or something) and a huge shiny padlock on which seems smart (unless its just a cupboard of brooms). Of course all the signs and shiny locks mean nothing if you lock the padlock around the clip on the door, but not also the door frame. Essentially making it nothing more then an insurance-waving decoration.
Still. Makes more sense then on a Library.
Now I could be wrong but I suspect that the people of Lincoln have much better things to do with their time then sneak into the university's library and look at the books. Most kids of a troublesome ilk won't decided that for laughs they'll go and look at some academic books they're not technically allowed to see. And as you can't actually borrow a book without a card all you could previously do was look at the book inside the building. Which hardly seems a massive security threat; library's aren't exactly the hang-out of choice, and reading a book inside isn't that bad surely?
Then again the security around here does seem to be a bit over the top. The changing rooms in some shop here (can't remember which) has three separate locks on the doors! Three? One wonders who complained that one lock wasn't enough, and then also requested a third because they didn't feel safe with two. Which seems to be paranoia in the extreme, especially considering there's a huge gap under the door large enough for any idiot to crawl through. Even with twelve inch deadbolts on the door anyone with the ability to lie down has incredibly easy access.
Interestingly as well as the locks the room also has a 'Press for Assistance' button. You know just in case you can't fit your jeans on, and you need some help. Of course you might think this is in case someone collapses on the floor, but the buttons so high you'd never reach it from there. I think the most likely reason for the assistance button is in case you can't re-open the door when you've uber-locked it.
However, going back to security, I suppose its not just here that has stupid security. One of the train stations I passed through recently had a big wooden door on the station with a huge sign saying "Security by Safe Force"(Or something) and a huge shiny padlock on which seems smart (unless its just a cupboard of brooms). Of course all the signs and shiny locks mean nothing if you lock the padlock around the clip on the door, but not also the door frame. Essentially making it nothing more then an insurance-waving decoration.
Still. Makes more sense then on a Library.
2 comments:
I think the press for assistance button is in case you need a different size -or you get stuck... (I can personally vouch that this is possible)
You got stuck didn't you?
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