{"id":81860,"date":"2017-11-29T16:03:41","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T15:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=81860"},"modified":"2026-01-20T10:32:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T09:32:13","slug":"alarmerende-toename-zoekgeraakte-spullen-in-de-ub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2017\/11\/29\/alarmerende-toename-zoekgeraakte-spullen-in-de-ub\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Alarming\u2019 increase in lost property in the University Library"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The University Library has seen a rise in lost property in the library. It isn\u2019t clear exactly how much is stolen. The library felt it was time for action.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecently, more students than usual have been reporting that they have lost their laptop or wallet,\u201d says library staff member Ineke van der Kramer. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to reward the thieves by not doing anything, so we\u2019re starting an awareness campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n

When there are two or more reports of lost property on the same day, the library staff are alarmed. That was the case on Friday 17 November, for example. \u201cWe feel that two reports on one day is a lot, particularly when you bear in mind that not everyone will report something missing,\u201d Van der Kramer explains.<\/p>\n

Flyers and posters<\/h3>
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Last Tuesday, the University Library launched a campaign against theft. Posters are distributed all over the library. If students leave their valuable possessions unattended at their workplace, staff leave flyers there saying: \u201cWatch your stuff! Be aware of thieves! Please don\u2019t leave your belongings unattended.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the moment, the University Library doesn\u2019t see any reason to take additional security measures. \u201cIt\u2019s initially the student\u2019s responsibility. Furthermore, there are already two uniformed stewards patrolling the library, and from 5.00 p.m. there\u2019s a security guard in the building too. If the problem persists, we can always consider taking additional security measures,\u201d says Kathalijne Smout, communication officer at the library.<\/p>\n

Why do so many students leave their belongings unattended? \u201cStudents seem to feel at home in the new University Library,\u201d says Van der Kramer. \u201cWhich is great.\u201d But not practical unfortunately, Smout adds.<\/p>\n

Anyone can steal<\/h3>

In principle, anyone could steal unattended belongings in the libray. It isn\u2019t just open to students, says Smout. \u201cErasmus University is a public place which is also accessible to people with bad intentions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The awareness campaign will probably be permanent, says Smout. It isn\u2019t too time consuming for staff and if it prevents theft, that\u2019s a great outcome. \u201cWe regularly walk around the library anyway and see things left unattended. We might as well leave warning notes on unattended belongings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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