Although McKeldin Library officials implemented late-night student ID checks this year to make patrons feel safer, some students called the policy an inconvenience and others complained they had been unfairly kicked out for not having an ID.

Since September, security staff members have made regular sweeps through the library at about 11 p.m., asking everyone to show them their student ID cards. Staff members also require anyone entering the library after 11 p.m. to show their ID at the front desk. If an individual does not have a card, a police auxiliary escort shows that person to the exit.

Libraries Dean Patricia Steele said officials implemented the measure in response to student concerns about security during late night study hours.

“The way with all the nooks and crannies, it is such a large building, some don’t feel safe,” Steele said. “If there is any way to improve student security, we do.”

While Steele said student response to the policy was mostly positive, some students said they were confused by the rule, noting that even if they showed a staff member they were logged in to their student accounts it would not suffice as long as they did not have their card.

“I find the policy to be more of an inconvenience than anything,” junior civil engineering major Craig Schuchart said. “There have been multiple occasions where I’ve found myself ID-less … and been forced to leave the library after only being there for an hour or so.”

Other students, however, agreed with the measure.

“Having a late-night security check at McKeldin might be a little annoying, but in general it is probably a good idea,” junior bioengineering major Justin Frey said.

However, some patrons said they were concerned the checks may weed out local residents who want to use the library late at night. Ijlaal Taalibdin, a non-student resident from Riverdale, said she uses the library to study for nursing classes, but last month she was escorted out of the library for not having a student ID.

“It is a convenient resource for those who live around here. If there’s enough resources for everyone, it should be okay to stay later,” she said. “More than half the people I study with transfer here, but we still feel like UMD is still ours.”

Steele said the measure has gone smoothly thus far, but she still welcomes any suggestions.

“We are very open to listening to people to find ways to improve,” she said. “We are not getting many complaints, and some students I’ve talked to said they do feel more secure.”

Senior English major Brittney Thomas, a late-night security staff member at the library, said officials may want to consider more flexible means to make the library more secure.

“Students usually have their IDs and I feel really bad for those who don’t, because I know if I was in their position I would want to stay,” Thomas said. “Maybe have it like the ERC where if they don’t have their ID they can punch in their numbers. Maybe even a more lenient policy.”

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