A 1977 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey of member institutions concerning book losses and theft detection systems found that more than half of the 90 respondents had installed or were installing electronic security systems (ESS's). This kit on theft detection and prevention in academic libraries contains: (1) planning documents from University of Nebraska, University of California at Berkeley, Northwestern University, and University of British Columbia; (2) implementation procedures from Georgetown University, Temple University, McMaster University, and University of Wisconsin at Madison; (3) systems evaluations from University of Pennsylvania and Temple University; (4) descriptions of user education from University of Massachusetts and University of California at San Diego; (5) samples of user notices from University of Hawaii and University of Michigan; and (6) security procedures and policies from ARL, Georgetown University, University of Hawaii, National Agricultural Library, New York Public Library, McMaster University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Maryland, and University of Virginia. Introductory materials include a concise summary of issues and trends related to theft prevention and detection which focuses on factors in decision-making, strengths and weaknesses of an ESS, alternative methods of theft prevention, and a list of ESS contact people at ARL libraries. (THC)