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<p>The Department encourages local authorities to consider a range of approaches to
support and enhance the delivery of their library services, such as making appropriate
use of available technology. A number of library services are using technology to
enable access for library users to library buildings outside staffed hours on a self
service basis. The systems often include controlled access technology involving CCTV
and communication systems. Good practice guidance, from the Libraries Taskforce, encourages
library services to undertake a risk assessment before implementing such a service
and also advises that it is important that staffed hours meet the requirements of
children and young adults who wish to visit the library unaccompanied. In managing
the safeguarding of children, library services that use these systems do not allow
children under a specified age to access the library at unstaffed times unless accompanied
by an adult.</p>
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