I’ve been doing some research at the National Archives in DC. Every morning when I enter, my doc bag is searched and I am asked, “do you have any camera equipment or a cellular telephone?”
Every evening, I go through the same thing–including the abovementioned question.
Now don’t get me wrong–I applaud the Archives’ attempts to minimize document theft. And I sort of understand the camera bit–some documents are confidential, and can be read but not reproduced (and that, I suppose, is another question…). But why are they asking me whether or not I’m packing a cell phone, particularly when I’m leaving?
(This question of course occured to me on my way home last night–after I’ve completed my project, so I won’t have the opportunity to ask them directly.)
My WAG is that the ban on both isn’t because of document theft, but for security reasons- so you can’t make detailed photographs of the building, and so you can’t talk to fellow terrorists outside. Would they let you bring in a walkie-talkie?
Looking through the regulations for researchers on the National Archives’ webpage, I didn’t see any prohibition of cameras or cell phones. And there were a whole crapload of regulations.
This may be sort of far fetched, but it’s possible that a camera can be disguised as a cell phone. The flash would probably be compromised, but in a pinch, it would get the job done.
None of the above theories answer why he is also asked if he has a cell phone when he leaves. They explain why he can’t bring one in, but why the double check? Maybe it is just to make sure that the security is doing its job.
Don’t be silly. He’s been stealing wheelbarrows.
My thought was that the combination of (digital) camera and cellphone might allow you to take pictures and transmit them somewhere before they could find out. Of course, this doesn’t explain them asking both coming and going, and doesn’t explain asking about both.
Could just be double-checking.
The National Archives has audio materials too. You could hook up your cel phone and transmit them to anyone.
Don’t be too surprised at stringent security. The CIA confiscated a Furby from an office when it was discovered that they have the capability to record 2 seconds or so of audio.
It wasn’t the CIA, it was NSA. And they didn’t confiscate it - they made the person who brought it to work take it home then ruled that Furbies were not to be brought there.
