An apparatus for reading an optical disc. The apparatus includes a housing and a spindle positioned to rotatably support the optical disc adjacent to the exterior of the housing. A light emitting scan head is aligned to read the optical disc as it rotates. A protective member, having a silhouette that is smaller than the area of the optical disc, is movably coupled to the housing between a first position that aligns the protective member to prevent extraneous emission of light from the scan head, and a second position that enables access to mount the optical disc on the spindle. The apparatus may be an audio CD player. The rotating optical disc may be positioned to extend beyond the surface of the housing. A spring disposed between the housing and the protective member, where the spring operates to close the protective member. An actuator detects movement of the protective member, and deactivates light emission from the scan head or stops rotation of the spindle when the protective member moved to an open position.