[LIBRARYDIR] Cameras in the Library

[Howard Fuller]

Hi heather,

WCC has camera's in our Learning Commons (and therefore the library). I've worked in various libraries with camera dating back to the 1990s. WCC (and other places I've worked) only access the video when needed. For example, currently the library has an issue with someone (or multiple someone's) urinating in sinks and clogging toilets with feminine hygiene products sometimes leading to overflowing toilets. When we know the approximate time of day an event has occurred security can review who went in or came out of bathrooms. Or...finding used needles or...pick your behavior. Video is storage intensive so the 'tapes," ie, data isn't kept that long (weeks) because of server space needs.

We've had no employee complaints about the camera's because nefarious acts, other than mentioned, occur in the library and the video's provide evidence. I will say our Learning Commons is open to the public and with that comes public library kinds of behavior. And any and all damage costs are absorbed into the college budget...including staff time in cleaning and repairing, or doing extra monitoring of the library stacks because of 'stuff' being done to the books (therefore it hits the library budget too).

In short, our experience has been very positive with no sticky wickets at any level.

Any policies are at the college level and board approved.

-Howard

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Cc: Morgan, Heather <Heather.Morgan at sfcc.spokane.edu>
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] Cameras in the Library


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Hello,

I don't have much information, but for safety and security our district is looking into putting cameras around the college campuses in public spaces (inside and outside) which include the library.

Our library has other Learning Support departments located within it and we're discussing this topic and potential unintended impact it might have on people using services if recorded. Security vs privacy is a sticky wicket.

Do other libraries have surveillance cameras? Do you have policies? What has your experiences been?

Thank you,
heather


Heather Morgan | Library Faculty | Dept Chair
Spokane Falls Community College Library
509-533-3807 | heather.morgan at sfcc.spokane.edu<mailto:heather.morgan at sfcc.spokane.edu>
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