Policing in the Library Public Report

Abstract

This report provides a summary of University of Michigan library staff-led interrogative work directed at examining police presence in University Library spaces, as well as policing behaviors, and required security procedures performed by staff. Through a combination of research, staff interviews, and other data collection, the Policing in the Library Library Diversity Council (LDC) subcommittee has endeavored to examine the Library’s relationship with campus police, its practices of monitoring library spaces and visitor behavior, and how these activities compare to approaches in comparable institutions. In addition to documenting the Library’s relationship with policing, the primary purpose of this report is to provide recommendations for University of Michigan (U-M) Library Administration to assess and take action on.