2008 Woodie Awards
O'Malley Library Updates Security
ID Cards Must Now Be Swiped
Courtney Roy
Issue date: 2/16/05 Section: News
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The gates were installed last semester, but the necessary software and databases were not running until this semester. Although there were some technical problems in the first few weeks of this semester, all are now running smoothly. While many students met the turnstiles with frustration in the beginning, Harry Welsh, Director of O'Malley library, says that students are beginning to accept the new policy.
In addition to the new gates, a new access policy was also instated. The new access policy states, "The O'Malley Library is...not open to the general public without restriction. The library reserves the right to limit the use of selected resources and facilities to Manhattan College ID cardholders only. Access privileges may be revoked at the discretion of library staff." The library is only for the use of Manhattan College and College of Mount Saint Vincent faculty, students, and alumni. Those who have access to the library, but are not a part of the Manhattan College or Mount Saint Vincent, such as alumni or users from other area colleges and universities that are part of the WALDO sharing program must present identification and sign into the register. With this system, librarians are able get an idea of who is inside with relative ease at any given time. Alumni wishing to use the library must present their authorized user's card to the library staff. These cards are available from the Director's Office.
O'Malley library hosts some 60,000 volumes, as well as 150 computers, copy machines, and various other valuable resources, as well as access to many other area libraries. Because of this, many local graduate students not attending Manhattan College take advantage of this. Before the current system was installed, anyone could simply walk in and use of the wide variety of resources available to Manhattan students, everything from free printing and internet access, to countless online research journals. The library grants authorized users many special privileges, but with technology today, it is also susceptible to people wishing to unfairly use these resources. Mr. Welsh says, "We also permit free printing-one of the few colleges in the area that does so-a number of people in no way affiliated with the college are taking advantage of an opportunity. It is more than conceivable that someone with a cell phone taking advantage of our computers, information databases, campus network, and free printing could run a business out of the O'Malley Library. I don't believe that Manhattan College students should subsidize this kind activity, or the students from the other colleges who are in here printing abundantly free."
Dr. Colette Geary, the Dean of Students, thinks that this is a very important addition, not only because it will protect the library, but also the student body. Without any sort of control over who enters the library, nearly anyone could come in, for whatever reason. This is especially an issue because parts of the library are open for 24 hours a day, making it easy for someone who is looking for shelter to come in and spend the night hidden away, which poses a danger to students who may be in the library late at night. There have been several stories about students stumbling across people asleep on the floor, and this is a cause of great concern. While all of these tales may not be true, one must keep in mind that this is entirely possible, especially without the newly installed policies. Welsh said, "A twenty-four hour multi-floor facility cannot enjoy the luxury of casual security. A few incidents that occurred over the past few semesters sufficiently warrant security measures. We should know who is in here."