THE MIGUEL de Benavides Library will strengthen its security measures after logging five missing “major items” last December that raised concerns on the area’s safety, according to the head librarian.
Following the “unusual” uptick in lost items, which included gadgets, Chief Librarian Maria Cecilia Lobo said the library would increase security reminders and conduct patrols more frequently.
“The library will improve its security measure[s] like I told them, I think we will increase the announcements to attend to your valuables…and then we’ll keep reminding the librarians to conduct rounds more frequently to monitor the area,” Lobo told The Flame.
However, she clarified that the reports came from those who had left their belongings for long periods.
“I think on Reddit you can only read about the lost items, but what’s the story behind why they lost them? Because they left them… There was a time, I was the one who had extended here that night, a student went to MOA (Mall of Asia) [and] left their bag because it was too heavy.”
Lobo was addressing a post on the online platform Reddit claiming that the library was “not safe” following multiple reports of missing gadgets. It was posted on Dec. 14 under the “r/Tomasino” subreddit, a community forum for Thomasians.
“The things that were lost were probably very valuable, which is why the post on social media boomed, because it was really an entire bag, iPad, laptop, that’s why,” Lobo said.
When asked about the status of the five missing items, Lobo explained that once the library submits an incident report to the University Campus and Security Office, the investigators would communicate directly with those involved. Once it is done, the library will no longer be provided with subsequent updates.
“So it becomes a matter between the two parties, the person involved and the security,” Lobo said.
The Flame reached out to the security office’s loss prevention agent, who handles the cases of lost items, but they declined to comment, citing the confidentiality rule.
Leaving items unattended
The chief librarian discouraged some patrons’ habit of treating the library tables as a “luggage counter,” noting that the facility is not responsible for their belongings.
“Some forget that they charged [their gadget], they went out, they went home. The next day, they remember that the library is closed. The next day, the item is no longer there,” Lobo explained.
“All our notices also state that it is the user’s responsibility to attend to their own belongings because we will not watch over them.”
Reference and Information Services personnel Raquel Lontoc said that after the building has closed, the items left behind by students are often brought to her section, which serves as the library’s centralized lost and found.
The library officials assured Thomasians that the “negative reports on social media” in December were rare occurrences and that most missing items are returned to students.
“Chargers, fan, Aquaflasks, there are also phones that are left behind that are returned to them. Because in those instances, they are not reported as lost. They are delivered to references,” Lontoc said.
Library CCTV
The same online post also warned that “the library cannot provide CCTV footage because they do not have CCTV in such areas where the items got stolen.”
While Lobo acknowledged that the building’s cameras had limited coverage, she said the library would first consider other measures to address the issue of lost items.
“There is a Reddit post that says ‘because there is no CCTV in the area.’ We don’t really have CCTV because you can’t surveil the entire library. But we have CCTVs in strategic locations. Actually, there is one at the exit,” the official said.
“It’s not immediate that because something went wrong in December, we’ll be installing CCTV[s] on Monday. I think we have to discuss that in the library’s plan moving forward,” she added.
According to Lobo, the installation of additional CCTVs will be subject to a “thorough discussion” on the budget planning agenda for the next academic year.
“But when it comes to adding more CCTVs, we really need to plan for it. It’s not a no, but it’s also not a yes, we still have to discuss it with the library council,” she said.
Aside from the financial aspect, Lobo said Library Prefect Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P. hopes to instill proper “behavior, attitude and discipline” among students without surveillance.
For the second semester, she said the library is planning to deploy an extra roving guard in casual attire to remain inconspicuous, with assistance from the UST Campus Safety and Security Office.
The Miguel de Benavides Library is exclusive to Thomasians and alumni. Occasionally, researchers may also be granted entrance, subject to proper procedures along with limited access in the vicinity. F
