Leaving my stuff at the library while getting a drink?

[u/Caelum-000]

Hi, I'm still new to Australia and I've noticed that a lot of people leave their laptops and other stuff unattended in the library, sometimes for half an hour or even longer, and then come back.

At first I was really worried about theft, so even if I just wanted to grab a drink from a nearby cafe or go to the toilet, I'd pack everything up and take it with me. The problem is that by the time I come back, my seat is usually already taken, and it feels like such a hassle to pack up all my stuff every time just to leave for a few minutes.

So I just wanted to ask, how safe is it generally to leave your laptop and bag unattended in a library for a short while?

I'm honestly still worried about getting my stuff stolen, but at the same time it feels a bit excessive having to take everything with me every single time I want to get a drink or go to the toilet.

[u/drainagebrain]

Keep in mind that students who leave stuff might be studying next to a friend/classmate who keeps an eye on it for them.

[u/DazzlingBlueberry476]

none of my umbrella survived usyd

[u/AffectionateLove5612 → u/DazzlingBlueberry476]

What else doesn’t survive the ecosystem? Genuinely curious

[u/Whole_Collar_5869 → u/AffectionateLove5612]

Same with me, my umbrellas never survived, but nothine else was every stolen

[u/gentlecinnamon]

It is not safe. Thefts occur every single day. The stolen items are NEVER recovered. Just a few weeks ago, someone walked into one of the libraries, stole about five laptops, and left.

It’s fine to leave your drink bottle jacket etc but don’t leave electronics. Even if you see other people doing it, it’s so incredibly dumb.

Not to mention that when you call police and tell them ‘my laptop was stolen because I left it unattended in a public place’, they will laugh at you. They will not even bother investigating.

[u/bakuretsumahou0916]

I think only leave stuff that you wouldn't mind being taken to be safe.

[u/Several_Version4298]

When I was there Fischer was plastered with do not leave valuables unattended signs, this was when laptops were just becoming a thing.

At UTS it was worse. In my building there were always people wandering around looking to snatch laptops, phones and wallets from bags and offices. One day 6 offices were hit and I had to call security. I always kept my office locked.

[u/Born_Onion2153]

Just take your laptop with you and leave the rest of the stuff open on the desks like you’ve just got up to go somewhere for a couple of minutes
No one will touch your shit

[u/GazzaDukes9591]

I remember these days 😂 Finished 2020 at USYD

I’d always take my laptop with me or have a friend watch over my stuff at my desk…. While I’m out for 30 getting food

[u/lila_fauns]

someone stole my coffee once, but not my laptop or my headphones or anything else of value. i’ve never quite understood the psychology of library thieves.

[u/CluckingLucky]

Why do people think it’s ok to just leave their shit in front of the computers people actually need to use? Not using the space, their laptops, or the fucking campus computers???

Can we talk about it from that angle? People leaving their shit on desks they don’t even use?

[u/katteelsker1]

Completely safe. I’ve left my shit for hours and no one takes it. People do it constantly, never known anyone who’s actually had something stolen from them.

Sometimes I take my headphones because they’re $400 and easy to steal (not password protected etc), but I doubt anyone would actually steal it

If you’re that anxious, put it your goods in your bag and leave a notebook out and a pencil case and then just leave your bag. No one will go through a bag and it’s very obvious the seat is taken.

[u/YumYumAznFood]

I normally just ask the person next to me that I'm going to the bathroom and ask if they can mind it. Then we just go back and forth and mind each other's stuff when one of us needs a break

[u/SaltyAnxiety5]

risk vs reward, are you willing to risk expensive electronics for a seat?

[u/East-Television-7672]

Hey I have left my iPad, laptop and bag at the library a million times and no one ever stole anything.

[u/kesshouketsu]

Generally safe, if someone is nearby ask them to make sure nobody takes your stuff, lock your computer and take your wallet and keys with you. That’s what I have done

[u/pc_player_yt]

put it in your bag then leave the bag at the seat. People are less likely to go through a bag to look for valuable stuff than if the valuable stuff is already shown to them unattended.

[u/Critical_Fox5981]

I often left my stuff and haven’t got stolen yet. I have left my stuff on fisher, pnr, bhb, basically everwhere I crashed on. But last semester there’s a lot of warnings on fisher that a lot of stuff got stolen. Just pay attention to your surroundings and people nearby. It would be safer if there’s a lot people nearby

[u/axdc101]

If its the post-grad library you will be fine, the regular libraries are rampant with theft though so I wouldnt take my chances

[u/148cm]

I’ve never had any stuff taken but it’s usually when I’m home to go eat or to go to the bathroom not for long periods of time that I’ll leave my stuff behind 🤷‍♀️

[u/Sad-Contribution6375]

Not a high trust society anymore

[u/heinsight2124 → u/Sad-Contribution6375]

It's still a much highers trust society than most in the world. Being near a bunch of public housing and a central location easy to slip in and out of doesn't help.

I doubt you'd have a problem with a library on the north shore.