Library crime and vandalism in engineering college libraries in marathwada region: a case study

Abstract

Libraries are considered venerable, quite peaceful and safe places for study, learning and research, libraries are soul of the educational institutes and play vital role by providing resources and services according to curriculum of the faculty and students. Library is a social institution preserving and disseminating knowledge in the form of documents so anything which defiles its sanctity, decorum, discipline, beauty concerning library is called as vandalism in library. All forms of library abuses and crimes in the library come under vandalism in the library. newline Vandalism is recognized as crime, when a person willfully damage or deface the property of others or the commons, some vandalism qualifies as culture jamming on sniggling. It is artistic in nature as well as being carried out illegally or without the property owner s permission. Vandalism is not senseless property damage, individuals vandalize intentionally property, popularly referred to vandalism such as equipment, buildings, furniture etc, for variety of reasons such as to convey a message, to express frustration, to take revenge, to make money or as a part of fun and competition, or game, vandals may work alone or as a members of a loose or organized group. newline Cohen (1973) outlined the categories of vandalism, such as acquisitive; tactical; ideological; vindictive; play or malicious; Gouke and Marjorie (1980), studied on periodicals mutilation following an anti vandalism educational campaign. Lincoln (1989), discusses the types of vandalism that occur in libraries and a number of prevention strategies