Over 575 staff at all library locations provide services in public areas and in workrooms and administrative areas closed to the public. The Library's property includes its collection of books, equipment and other materials, in addition to real property. Approximately 6,000,000 items flow in and out of Library locations each year, as patrons borrow and return materials. Branch libraries are equipped with security systems that detect unauthorized entry after hours. There is a system of issuing identification badges for staff, volunteers, visitors, and contractors that need to be in restricted areas.
All facilities are in compliance with fire codes.
Security personnel, primarily stationed at the central library with some assignments in branch libraries, are charged with protecting patrons, staff and volunteers from criminal acts, harassment, theft and crime, and with enforcing the Library's rules of conduct and security-related policies. Security officers patrol Library facilities and handle security problems referred by staff and the public and security-related emergencies, including medical emergencies, evictions and evacuations. A newly-created security manager position that reports directly to senior administration, three Library security officers, and contract security make up the current Library security workforce. Due to a successful passage of a comprehensive capital bond measure in 1998, the central library will be replaced by a 355,000 sf structure on the same site by 2003, three new branch libraries will be added, and the remaining 22 will be either renovated, expanded or replaced through 2007. The central library will move into temporary quarters, on which design work will begin in January 2000, while the new facility is constructed beginning in 2001.