Library Security Gates
Besides the magnetic strip on books, study room keys, and DVD cases, many things can set off the alarm, including electronics, books from other libraries/bookstores, or even simply too many people walking through the gates at once.
When this happens, it is important to remain polite and do not accuse the person(s) of doing anything wrong.
How to handle this situation:
“Hi! Something must have triggered the alarm. Could you try walking back through the gate one more time?” (ask them to walk through separately if many people walked out at once)
Ask if they have any library items on them (including study room keys).
If they do, check their Alma account to make sure the items are in fact checked out, and desensitize them so the alarm is not triggered again.
If they do not have any library materials on them, ask if they have any books from the bookstore or other libraries. If they do, offer to desensitize them so it does not happen again.
If they do not have any books or other library materials on them, the most likely culprit is a cell phone, laptop, or other electronic item.
Try not to become intrusive or accusative! When in doubt, err on the side that the alarm was set off without reason.