Acknowledged as the international standard text for basic security procedures in museums.

The protection and security of cultural properties is of primary concern to the thousands of federal, state, county, city, and private institutions entrusted with housing and displaying our national heritage and history of our society. Cultural property security is of global importance as well, with tens of thousands of institutions internationally tasked with protecting and maintaining relics and artifacts of social, cultural, and historical significance. Cultural Property Security offers powerful protection guidelines to security departments tasked with safeguarding popular historical sites, museums, and libraries and the historical artifacts they house. Presenting practical, ready-to-implement solutions in a clear writing style, the book: Provides a working definition of cultural properties Identifies the threats against cultural properties from crime and terrorism, particularly in regions with political or civil unrest Offers guidance in threat assessment Identifies the physical security measures and technology that can be used to protect such institutions Presents guidelines for establishing a protective service department for cultural properties Describes proper arrest and post-arrest protocols Includes a list of online resources for further information related to the protection of cultural properties Complete with dozens of photos, the book establishes leading industry best practices to identify the various threats to cultural properties and protect them. Dr. Daniel J. Benny has more than 35 years of security management experience and has served as a Director of Protective Services for the state of Pennsylvania’s Historic and Museum Commission. His insight is invaluable to those responsible for securing these institutions from internal and external threats.

Museum, Archive, and Library Security provides an introduction to the security programs of museums and other park facilities. This book discusses the mechanism that provides for the protection of information, collections, equipment, personnel, and physical facilities of museums. Organized into seven parts encompassing 30 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the security programs of the National Park Service. This text then examines the quality of security personnel and its proper training, as well as its most efficient utilization and allocation. Other chapters consider the standard instruction in how to implement new security procedures by staff members. This book discusses as well the significance of good security for the protection of fine arts of any nature. The final chapter deals with global concern on the prevention, protection, import, or export of cultural property. This book is a valuable resource for security directors, archivists, curators, maintenance personnel, historic preservation specialists, and librarians.

Safeguarding Cultural Properties is a step-by-step guide for creating and maintaining a comprehensive security program in any cultural facility or public institution. Author Stevan P. Layne, the leading expert in the field of cultural property protection, draws from his many years of experience providing protection training and planning to more than 350 cultural and public institutions around the world. Designed especially for those with limited security budgets, the book provides a proven and effective program for hiring the right security personnel, selecting the appropriate electronic security systems, and coordinating critical emergency response, along with all the other security issues unique to the needs of a cultural institution. For individuals responsible for the protection of the people, assets, and collections, Safeguarding Cultural Properties saves time and money by providing the essential resources needed for creating a short- and long-term protection plan. - The only how-to manual written specifically for security managers of museums, libraries, zoos, and other public and private historic sites - Suitable for both large and small cultural institutions, it covers topics such as personnel security, fire protection, physical security, emergency response, theft protection, and more - Provides actionable, cost-effective solutions for institutions with limited security budgets and resources