Electronic article surveillance (
EAS) is a technological method for preventing
shoplifting from
retail stores,
pilferage of books from libraries or removal of properties from
office buildings. Special tags are fixed to
merchandise or books. These tags are removed or deactivated by the clerks when the item is properly bought or checked out. At the exits of the
store, a detection system sounds an
alarm or otherwise alerts the staff when it senses active tags. Some stores also have detection systems at the entrance to the
restrooms that sound an alarm if someone tries to take unpaid merchandise with them into the restroom. For high-value goods that are to be manipulated by the patrons, wired alarm clips called spider wrap may be used instead of tags.