Top Concerns in Libraries: 'Theft,' 'User Troubles,' 'Suspicious Individuals.' What is the Demand for Access Control Systems?

■ Awareness Survey on Public Library Usage Environment and Security

Public libraries are familiar learning spaces that anyone can use for free.

However, precisely because an unspecified number of people come and go, it's likely that many harbor anxieties about safety.

Therefore, in collaboration with Nucel Electronics Co., Ltd., we conducted a survey on "Public Library Usage Environment and Security" targeting 500 men and women nationwide who had previously responded that they "have used a public library."

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・State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Nucel Electronics Co., Ltd."

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"Survey on Public Library Usage Environment and Security" Overview

Survey Method: Online questionnaire

Survey Period: March 6, 2026 – March 23, 2026

Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "have used a public library"

Valid Responses: 500 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Have you ever felt uneasy about safety or security in a library?

Question 2: In what situations did you feel uneasy? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 3: Do you think that the presence of entrance/exit gates and anti-theft systems would enhance book loss prevention and a sense of security?

Question 4: Do you think that access control using membership cards or IC cards would make library use more comfortable?

Question 5: Please tell us your reasons.

Question 6: What kind of equipment or systems do you think would be good for library safety measures?

※As a general rule, percentages are rounded to the first decimal place, so totals may not always equal 100%.

■ 7.6% responded that they have "felt uneasy about safety or security" in a library

First, we asked if respondents had ever felt uneasy about safety or security in a library.

The result showed that 7.6% answered "Yes" and 92.4% answered "No."

While the majority have not experienced uneasiness, approximately 1 in 13 people have felt some form of anxiety. Although a minority, this is a percentage that cannot be ignored.

■ The most common situation for feeling uneasy was "concerned about theft" at 44.7%

Next, we asked those who responded "Yes" to having felt uneasy, in what situations they felt that way.

The most common response was "concerned about theft" at 44.7%.

This was followed by "trouble between users" at 34.2%, and "seeing suspicious individuals or suspicious behavior in the building" at 28.9%.

Concerns about theft of belongings and personal items when leaving seats in the library were the highest, followed by anxieties about user conflicts and suspicious individuals. The characteristic of libraries being freely accessible to anyone, conversely, appears to contribute to security concerns.

■ 84.2% responded that "a sense of security would increase" with entrance/exit gates and anti-theft systems

Next, we asked those who responded "Yes" to having felt uneasy, whether the presence of entrance/exit gates and anti-theft systems would enhance book loss prevention and a sense of security.

The result showed that 34.2% answered "Strongly agree" and 50.0% answered "Somewhat agree," totaling 84.2% who felt that a sense of security would increase. In contrast, only 10.5% answered "Somewhat disagree" and 5.3% answered "Strongly disagree."

It is clear that the majority of users who have felt uneasy are hopeful about the introduction of entrance/exit gates and anti-theft systems. Such security measures not only prevent book loss but also directly contribute to users' peace of mind.

■ 78.9% responded that "library use would be more comfortable" with access control using membership cards or IC cards

Next, we asked those who responded "Yes" to having felt uneasy, whether access control using membership cards or IC cards would make library use more comfortable.

The result showed that 28.9% answered "Strongly agree" and 50.0% answered "Somewhat agree," totaling 78.9% who felt it would be more comfortable. 18.4% answered "Somewhat disagree" and 2.6% answered "Strongly disagree."

We asked for reasons why they thought it would be more comfortable, and here are some of the responses:

Reasons for thinking it would be more comfortable

• If someone has a card, they are at least a local resident, so it would be easy to identify them if something happened. (Female, 30s)
• With more suspicious people around, it provides a sense of security. (Female, 30s)
• It seems like it would reduce suspicious individuals. (Female, 40s)
• It feels like things are properly managed. (Male, 50s)
• It allows for safe use and I think it would also reduce the burden on staff. (Male, 50s)

It is evident that access control using membership cards or IC cards is positively received not only for enhancing user peace of mind but also as a measure to prevent the entry of suspicious individuals.

In particular, the sense of security from being able to identify individuals and the trust in a properly managed environment seem to contribute to comfort. It can be said that an access control system plays an important role in creating an environment where users can feel safe and secure.

■ Equipment and systems required for library safety measures

Finally, we asked what kind of equipment or systems respondents thought would be good for library safety measures.

What kind of equipment or systems do you think would be good for library safety measures?

• Security cameras, security guards. (Male, 30s)
• The children's corner should be clearly separated so only parents and children can enter. (Female, 30s)
• Introduction of machines that react to knives, etc. (Female, 30s)
• Cameras to eliminate blind spots. (Female, 40s)
• Coin lockers for luggage storage would be good. (Female, 40s)
• A system that notifies users of evacuation routes with sound and images during emergencies like earthquakes or fires would be good. (Male, 50s)

The responses show many calls for the installation of security cameras. In addition, requests were made from various perspectives, including luggage management, consideration for children's safety, and guidance systems during disasters.

It is evident that users are seeking a wide range of safety measures, including not only crime prevention but also daily peace of mind and preparedness for emergencies.

■ Summary

This survey found that 7.6% of people have felt uneasy about safety in public libraries. On the other hand, 84.2% of those who felt uneasy responded that their sense of security would increase with the introduction of entrance/exit gates and anti-theft systems.

Precisely because public libraries are open spaces accessible to everyone, mechanisms to protect users' peace of mind are crucial. By appropriately introducing security equipment such as access control systems and surveillance cameras, it may be possible to realize a safer and more comfortable library environment.

＜When using this article, etc.＞

・State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Nucel Electronics Co., Ltd."

・Provide a link to Nucel Electronics Co., Ltd. (https://www.nucel.co.jp/)

【About Nucel Electronics Co., Ltd.】

Representative Director: Norihiko Isogai

Location: Murakami Building 2F, 13-4 Nihonbashi Hisamatsucho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0005

Tel: 03-3662-0079

【About NEXER Inc.】

Headquarters: Rise Arena Building 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

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