Libraries everywhere have gradually opened their doors, inviting patrons back into their public spaces, study rooms, programs and events. More than ever, it’s important for staff and patrons to know that they are in a safe and secure place. Quipu Group’s PITS® (Patron Incident Tracking System) allows library staff to record and track security incidents in real-time, as well as access information on previous activities and actions.

Front line staff, administrators and security personnel can access the PITS Dashboard, per each institution’s policies, for a quick view of patrons suspended or barred from the library. Behind the scenes, each library can decide what data to record - date and time of the incident, location of the incident, the specific rules of conduct that have been broken, information about the patrons involved, and staff comments about the incident, just as examples. Libraries can even choose to upload images and documents for specific incidents and patrons, offering additional information to support incident tracking.

PITS isn’t just for big libraries. PITS has been implemented by small, medium and large libraries in the United States and Canada. Libraries of all sizes are experiencing a greater number of incidents and PITS can be configured to support libraries of any size. More importantly, with many libraries running short-staffed, PITS can remove the burden of having to transcribe hand-written reports and emails into a proprietary, often paper-based, tracking system. And in a multi-branch system, staff can be immediately aware of incidents outside their own location that may impact them. As Jenny Noel, a reference librarian from Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, FL told Quipu, "Finally we have a central, searchable place for our security incidents!"

How does PITS work?
After a simple search for existing reports or perpetrators, a staff member creates an incident report online in a secure web-based application, uploading any documents or images relevant to the incident. This report is automatically routed to other departments and individuals as designated by the library. If branch A’s John Doe goes by Jim Smith at branch B, staff can easily review and merge incident reports and perpetrator records.

Administrators really like PITS too. When David Glenn joined PPLD as Chief of Security at Pikes Peak Library System, CO, he found that the documentation tools in place to handle incidents in the library were sorely outdated. “In doing our due diligence and seeking out systems that could achieve the level of documentation that we needed and the support for the system, we found the Patron Incident Tracking System (PITS). This system provides a superb vehicle to document, store, and recall information regarding library incidents in an easy to use format,” stated Glenn. “I have been extremely happy with the way the system works and how easy it is to teach.”

How else does Quipu Group’s Patron Incident Tracking System assist library staff? Standard features include:

• Customized descriptions, incident types, and follow-up actions
• Built-in dashboard organizes incident reports, perpetrators, and current suspensions
• Granular control of permissions for users and groups
• Statistical and detailed reporting capabilities
• Flexibility to fit with your library policies

With PITS reporting and logs, staff can ensure that rules are consistently and fairly enforced, important for public accountability. PITS also enables branches to share information and if necessary, build a case for requested budget when additional staff or security equipment is needed, as well as providing guidance for scheduling security coverage. Arapahoe Libraries, CO, feels it is important that "PITS allows [them] to standardize reporting on incidents across the system, making it easier to recognize patterns of behavior and work with security and library floor staff on an ongoing basis, allowing for early intervention and prevention.“

How Can PITS Work in Your Library?
Pricing is based on the population of the library service area. There is a one-time setup fee and an annual hosting/maintenance fee. Quotes can be provided upon request - email thefolks@quipugroup.com for your personalized quote.

Want to see PITS in action? Visit Quipu Group today for a product demo and more information on PITS, and start delivering the highest quality customer experience to your patrons from the folks at Quipu Group, the most innovative team in library land!

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