Effective Date: March 12, 2012
Security cameras will be used where needed to discourage violations of the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy, to assist Library staff in preventing the recurrence of any violations and, when necessary, to provide law enforcement assistance in prosecuting criminal activity. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the placement and use of digital video cameras, as well as the access and retrieval of recorded digital video images at the Wayne County Public Library. Video monitoring and recording will be conducted in a manner consistent with all existing local and applicable laws and ordinances.
Cameras may be installed in locations where staff and patrons would not have an expectation of privacy. Examples include common areas of the Library such as entrances, near book and media collections and public seating areas. Cameras will not be installed in areas where staff and public have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, nor are cameras positioned to identify a person’s reading, viewing or listening activities in the library.
Signs will be posted at Library entrances informing the public that security cameras are in use.
Selected staff will have access to real time monitors, although activity is only randomly monitored.
In pursuit of incidents of criminal activity or violation of the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy only the Library Director or his/her designee(s) will have access to the archived material.
Video recordings and photos obtained through the video monitoring system will be released only in response to search warrants, court orders, and requests by law enforcement for an active investigation.
Images are retained for no longer than 14 days in accordance with the Library’s approved records retention schedule. As new images are recorded, the oldest images will be automatically deleted. Selected digital video may be saved for as long as required due to an ongoing investigation or litigation.
Cameras will not be installed for the express purpose of monitoring staff performance.
The general public will not be allowed access to camera images, as the images are not considered public records at this time. If the library receives a request from the general public to inspect security camera footage, the general public will be advised to file a police complaint.
The existence of this policy does not imply or guarantee that any or all cameras are recording images, or are monitored in real time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A breach of this Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Any library employee who becomes aware of any unauthorized disclosure of a video record and/or a potential privacy breach has a responsibility to ensure that the Director is immediately informed of the breach.