It's easy to tune out when you're studying in the library and you hear another announcement about not leaving your bag unattended...

(Image used under Creative Commons License from Andwar on flickr.com.)

But libraries can be like all-you-can-eat restaurants for thieves: all that lovely technology lying around, tired distracted students falling asleep or leaving to make calls, hundreds of people going in and out every day.

And if your laptop goes missing, you won't just lose the assignment you've been working on - your online banking, your paypal, your personal details, everything will become a potential risk to you and cause you trouble for years to come!

So PLEASE do take care of your personal belongings when you're in the library. Bring your keys, wallet and phone with you if you get up to go to the bathroom. Consider a lightweight laptop bag to make it easier to carry around with you, that way you won't be so tempted to leave it when you get up. Don't ask the person sitting next to you to mind your things unless you know them personally. Berkley University has some more great tips for keeping your stuff, especially your laptop, safe when you're studying in the library, including a guide on how to encrypt your laptop data and files in case the worst does happen.