Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!hubcap!rbrink
From: rbrink@hubcap.clemson.edu (Rick Brink)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Library anti-theft walk-thru device...????
Message-ID: <1991May14.152521.7935@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Date: 14 May 91 15:25:21 GMT
References: <1991May13.124937.4956@e2big.mko.dec.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Clemson University
Lines: 28

From article <1991May13.124937.4956@e2big.mko.dec.com>, by erickson@crevas.enet.dec.com (John Erickson):
> In article <100921.10755@timbuk.cray.com>, rice@willow23.cray.com (Jonathan Rice) writes...
>>In article <19934@slice.ooc.uva.nl> ropg@ooc.uva.nl (Rop Gonggrijp) writes:
>>> [much more fascinating electroinformation deleted...]
>> 
>>Apparently, though, the checker-outers of books found that it slowed them
>>down too much to have to quell the gizmos, so the entire system was turned
>>off for more than a year.  The theft prevention device was nothing more than
>>the expectation created by the signs and detectors.
  

There are 2 distinctly different types of systems.  One has active components
in the books, the other has a passive component in the book.  It depends on
which security fairy godmother talked to the business, as to which type of
system they chose.  Both can work very well, when deligently installed and
serviced.  As has been mentioned, may places don't have the patience to get
it working correctly.  Many environmental things can and do affect the
sensitivity of the detectors. 3M's system (ours) works well for us.  We keep
it on, and we test it daily.  Of course, with all the little hints and direct
information presented in discussions here, there are now thousands of people
who know how to beat it.  But I hope they are understanding when they visit 
their local library, and after searching for a reference that is crutial to
their research, are told that the book is missing from the collection.  You
help crooks steal, and eventally they will steal from YOU.

rbrink@hubcap.clemson.edu
Clemson University Libraries
Rick Brink, Information Resource Coordiantor III