The Quadrangle

Issue date: 10/6/04 Section: Features

O'Malley Library has installed turnstiles at the main entrance of the building. In a recent interview, the acting director of the library, Maire Duchun, explained the plans for the new turnstiles. Anyone who wishes to enter the library will now have to swipe their new ID cards at one of the two turnstile readers to be permitted access to the library. The turnstiles will be fully operational sometime soon. They were supposed to be working already, however, there were problems with installation of the software. It is expected to be in service by later this week.

The turnstiles were a result of growing concern due to some occurrences of unauthorized people entering the library. They are a form of preventive measures to offer more security to students, especially during the later hours of the night. Duchun says that she hopes that the turnstiles will bring about positive improvements in security. Presently, there is no filtering system tracking persons entering or exiting the library.

Duchun hopes there will not be many problems associated with the new turnstiles, as she has been assured that all students with the new ID cards should have no problem swiping at the readers and getting through the turnstiles. Alumni who wish to gain access to the library can go to the circulation desk and will be issued alumni library cards.

"We're hoping students will be patient, and if their card does not work, they will be patient with the staff while remedying the problem," said Duchun.

She is sure that they will be working smoothly very soon.

Many libraries in other institutions have turnstiles or some form of security at the entrance to their library. The turnstiles have also been implemented to restrict the resources of O'Malley Library to only the students, faculty and alumni. By restricting access to the library, unauthorized persons will not benefit from the computer and educational resources offered by the library.

Some students welcome the turnstiles because of the new security that it will provide, and they feel that it is about time that the O'Malley Library has some form of security as does so many other academic institutions. Many students, however, are not very receptive about the new turnstiles. A junior who visits the library frequently to print her papers says, "Sometimes I print my paper the morning that it's due...I'm always in a rush... I hope I don't forget my ID! I wish they didn't install the turnstiles...It's a good idea, but it seems more annoying than anything else."

Some complain that it is going to cause hold-ups getting into the library, as people have to take out their ID cards to swipe. People are used to running into the library quickly without stopping to swipe. Some people are worried about being delayed entering the library if they do not have their ID on their person. Most students just hope that there will not be long lines forming at these turnstiles during times of high volume entering the library.

The operational turnstiles will definitely be a new feature to the O'Malley library, and entering the library will not be as simple as it has been for years. It is important for students to remember to keep their ID on their person to avoid not being able to get through the turnstile.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools