Recently in Security/Facilities Category

Due to necessary OIT configuration changes to a critical networking component, a number of university and library systems will experience downtime on Sunday November 1, 2009 from 5:00 AM to 12 noon. There is a good possibility that the work will be completed before 12 noon.

Library Systems that WILL BE UNAVAILABLE for the duration of scheduled downtime:

Library Systems EXPECTED TO REMAIN AVAILABLE:

For additional details from the University Libraries, please visit: http://www.lib.umn.edu/downtime.phtml

Due to a necessary upgrade to the utility and emergency power provided to the University's WBOB Data Center, a number of library systems will experience downtime on Friday October 23, 2009 from approximately 7:00 PM to 12 noon Sunday October 25, 2009.

Library Systems that WILL BE UNAVAILABLE beginning 7pm on Friday, October 23 and through the duration of scheduled downtime:

Library Systems EXPECTED TO REMAIN AVAILABLE:

For additional details from the University Libraries, please visit: http://www.lib.umn.edu/downtime.phtml.

We are painting areas around the circulation desk and staff areas, so please excuse our mess.

Despite our limited access to this area, we remain open and fully able to assist you at the desk.

During Law School exams May 4-15, part of the first floor of the Law Library is designated as QUIET STUDY AREAS.

We have posted signs near the areas and would appreciate your cooperation in keeping this part of the library as quiet as possible.

When studying in these areas please be sure to:
• turn off the sound on your laptop,
• turn off or silence your cell phone,
• and refrain from talking.

Please avoid walking through these areas, unless you plan to study there, and please keep your voices low in nearby areas as well.

If you are looking for a place to study in a group, please check at the circulation desk for an available study room.

Thank you.

During December 5-19, part of the first floor of the Law Library is designated as QUIET STUDY AREAS. Exams officially start Dec. 8, so for exam preparation we encourage quiet study starting Dec. 5.

We have posted signs near the areas and would appreciate your cooperation in keeping this part of the library as quiet as possible.

When studying in this area please be sure to:
• turn off the sound on your laptop,
• turn off or silence your cell phone,
• and refrain from talking.

Please avoid walking through this area, unless you plan to study there, and please keep your voices low in nearby areas as well.

If you are looking for a place to study in a group, please check at the circulation desk for an available study room.

Thank you.

As exams approach, pelase remember to not leave personal belongings unattended while in the library. Thefts of laptops, purses, and other valuables do occur, and it would be awful to lose your computer with a semester's worth of notes and outlines on it just before finals! If you see suspicious activity while you are in the library, please notify one of the library staff and/or security (612-624-2677).

Cell phone use is not permitted in the library. Please set your ringer to vibrate or silent when entering the library, and if you receive a call while here, take it to the library lobby so you do not disturb others.

Thanks for your cooperation!

During May 1-16, part of the first floor of the Law Library is designated as a QUIET ZONE.

We have posted signs near the area and would appreciate your cooperation in keeping this part of the library as quiet as possible.

When studying in this area please be sure to:
• turn-off the sound on your laptop,
• turn-off or silence your cell phone,
• and refrain from talking.

Please avoid walking through this area, unless you plan to study there, and please keep voices low in nearby areas as well.

If you are looking for a place to study in a group, please check at the circulation desk for an available study room.

Thank you.

As a result of user demand, the Law Library has installed an outdoor book return. It is the maroon and gold box located next to the blue US Postal Service boxes near the front entrance to Mondale Hall. Any University of Minnesota library book can be returned there. However, please do not return RESERVE materials or keys via this drop box: high-demand or small items should be returned inside the library to ensure safe and timely check-in.

You can also still return items to the circulation desk during library hours or to the inside book return after library hours. We intend the outdoor book return to be an additional convenient way to return items.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions. Email lawlib@umn.edu or call 612-625-4300 for more information.

During December 3-20, part of the first floor of the Law Library is designated as QUIET STUDY AREAS. Study days are Dec. 6-7, with exams officially starting Dec. 8, but some students are taking early exams and so we encourage quiet study starting Dec. 3.

We are posting signs near the areas and would appreciate your cooperation in keeping this part of the library as quiet as possible.

When studying in this area please be sure to:
• turn-off the sound on your laptop,
• turn-off or silence your cell phone,
• and refrain from talking.

Please avoid walking through this area, unless you plan to study there, and please keep your voices low in nearby areas as well.

If you are looking for a place to study in a group, please check at the circulation desk for an available study room.

Thank you.

Effective Monday September 24, the northeast stairwell in the library (nearest the service/freight elevator) will become an emergency exit only.

Library users can still access floors 2-4 through the southeast stairwell or the inner stairwell near the center of the library, as well as the internal library elevator on the west end.

Any library users attempting to leave the library through the northeast stairwell will trigger a brief but loud alarm that will be recorded in Central Security. More importantly, users pushing through the alarmed door will not be able to get back into the library because the door will lock behind them.

Any questions about this change should be directed to Paula Seeger (seege030@umn.edu), Circulation Librarian.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation with this change.

In order to better facilitate security and safety, two new features have been created for the law school community and law library users. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the location of these features so you can use them in the future if you wish. Thanks go to Tim Fay and Greg Carr for their assistance creating these features.

"Safety & Security in the Law School" video presentation
A video covering law school safety and security tips is now available on the Intranet for the law school community. This video is meant to supplement new student, staff, or faculty orientations and features emergency and safety information. The video runs just under an hour and features Building & Events Manager Linda Lokensgard, Circulation Librarian Paula Seeger, Officer Jim Nystrom from UMPD, and Security Monitor Program Asst. Manager Daniel Farrar. There is also a link for assistance if you require help viewing the video with RealPlayer. Here is a link to the video (on the Intranet under "Building & Events," log-in required): https://intranet.law.umn.edu/departments/building/

Law Library Security & Facility Incident Form
A new incident form is now located on the law library website for library users to submit non-emergency security incidents or to request facility service. Facility requests and security reports can also be submitted in person to the circ desk for immediate response during library hours. Here is a direct link to the form (otherwise found under "Library & Technology Services" on the library home page): http://www.law.umn.edu/library/incident_report.html

Today's thief can be bold, daring, and inventive in gaining access to your valuables. Here are two recent incidents that the law school community should be aware of. If you have any information that could help the police with these incidents, please call 4-COPS and mention the case number.

THEFT ALERT—March 27, 2007
Between 4:20-4:45 pm, a student noticed his locked laptop and cell phone stolen from a room on the sub-plaza of Mondale Hall. Here is a description of the incident:
Victim was in room 7 doing homework, locked up his laptop and went to room 15. He came back and his laptop and cell were gone, and the lock was lying there (lock wasn't cut). While he was in room 15, a man came in looking for something. Victim gave a description of a suspect to the police: he was in his mid 20s, about 5'7'', about 180lbs, Caucasian, had baggy jeans, and a beige baseball cap. He asked the victim, "Is there students coming in here? (room 15)" Victim said no and suspect left. From where victim was in that classroom, he saw suspect walking outside through the back classroom windows. Victim went back to Room 7 and his items were gone. Victim ran out but couldn't find suspect. Police were called. UMPD case number: UM-07-073748

THEFT ALERT—March 28, 2007
At approx. 2:00 pm, a theft occurred from a 3rd floor office in Mondale Hall. The property that was stolen was retrieved by the victim, but the thief escaped. UMN Police describe the thief as a black female, 19-21 years old, 5'-5'2" tall, 140 lbs/stocky; black hair in a ponytail, wearing a black leather puffy jacket and tight jeans; demeanor was described as bold/confident with ability to fit in/blend. Police were called. UMPD case number: UM-07-075398

UPDATE! The new hours will start Monday November 27 not the 13th as stated in the original post below.

Starting Monday November 13, the hours security monitors will be on duty in Mondale Hall will be as follows:

Monday through Thursday: 7 pm to 1 am
Friday: 5 pm to 1 am
Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to Midnight

They will be located in the law school foyer, just outside the glass library doors, yet within eyesight of both the library and law school entrances.

As we get busy with final papers, projects and exams, it's easy to foget to take common security precautions around the library. Don't take safety and security for granted. Stay alert and aware. Here are some tips for staying safe:

Don't leave your valuables unattended. It takes very little time for a theft to occur.

Study near a group of people or in a highly visible area, expecially after library hours.

Report incidents or suspicious behavior to the security monitor or reference librarian on duty, or call Campus Police at 4-COPS.

When outside at night, walk with others in well-lit areas or call 4-WALK for a safe, escorted trip.

Report a potential safety issue as soon as possible. This means that if you notice a light out or fixture broken, report it so it can get fixed.

If you have any questions about safety, security or library facilities, please contact Paula Seeger at 612-625-1547 or seege030@umn.edu at your convenience.