The library of a college has problems with missing books.

Every time, the library conducts

an inventory count at the end of the school term, they always find out that books are

missing. Help the college solve the problem by offering solutions using the Rational

Approach in decision-making. Offer at least three alternative solutions.

The first solution is to implement a real-name borrowing policy on campus. Before borrowing

books, the librarian will classify the student's name and student number and enter these information

into the book lending system in detail. If the specified time is exceeded or the book is lost, the

compensation will be doubled according to the price of the book. Those who take out books

without going through the borrowing procedures will be punished as a violation. For those who

steal books, in addition to compensation of 20 to 50 times the original price of the books, they

should also be reported to the relevant departments of the school. The advantage of the real-name

policy of borrowing books allows librarians to clearly understand the information of each borrower,

even if someone borrows a book and does not return it, they can quickly find it. In addition, the

consequences of these compensations can be a good deterrent to those who steal books or borrow

books without returning them. But the disadvantage is that too severe punishment may arouse the

resentment of students. In addition, the overly cumbersome borrowing procedures will discourage

many students from borrowing books. After all, no one wants to waste too much time waiting for

a book (Bar-Ilan University, 2023), and students will be more inclined to buy books instead of

borrowing books. And many students will use this method inhumanely and disrespect their rights.

Secondly, publicity activities can be carried out on campus, and relevant departments can carry
out a series of publicity, and expand the influence through the student union. The harm of stealing

books or failing to return borrowed books can be emphasized by posting leaflets or slogans. And

carry out positive publicity and education to students, and students can also organize groups by

themselves to spread the library book policy on campus, so that students know the seriousness of

the consequences. So as to achieve the purpose of preventing trouble in the future. The advantage

of this is that it can mobilize the enthusiasm of students very well without requiring additional

manpower. Students will also welcome and actively participate in this way, and the scope of

dissemination will be very wide. The disadvantage is that the effect of this method may be poor.

Even if such activities are held frequently, the final effect cannot be determined. Moreover, this

kind of promotional activity may occupy certain campus facilities, and the school also needs to

spend a certain amount of time on social media or official website to promote it.

The last method is to strengthen the library's security measures, increase librarians, and add

cameras in the borrowing area and reading area, so that it can detect whether there is a book stolen

at any time. In addition, barcodes are added to each book and detectors are installed at the library's

exits, so that if someone is unauthorized, the library's security system will sound an alarm. The

advantage is that through these facilities, the librarian can know the situation of the library anytime

and anywhere, and does not need to waste too much time registering information for each borrowed

book. The shortcomings of this method are also obvious. According to the research survey,

contemporary college students attach great importance to their privacy protection (Jasmine and

Ameila), too many CCTVs are likely to arouse students' resentment, and may make them feel that

their human rights have been violated . In addition, this measure will increase the financial burden
on the school, and the additional expenditure and manpower need to be carefully considered.

Overall, the first method should be the most applicable to the current situation. Registering

student information and borrowing books with real names will neither cost too much manpower

and money nor make students who come to borrow books feel too much disgust. A method adopted

by most university libraries, if this method can be implemented smoothly, I believe it can

effectively reduce the loss of books in the library.

REFERENCES

Ameila Vance and Jamine Park (2021), Data Privacy in Higher Education: Yes, Students Care.

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/2/data-privacy-in-higher-education-yes-students-care

Bar-Ilan University (2023), Borrowing Procedures and Access to Electronic Resources.

https://lib.biu.ac.il/en/Borrowing_procedures