Purpose
The Demarest Public Library strives to take reasonable precautions to assure a safe and secure environment for its patrons and staff and to protect its collections and facilities. Since Library staff is unable to provide direct supervision over all areas within the Library and Library grounds, video security cameras may be placed at selected locations in order to observe and record visible activities of persons within the Library and Library grounds in lieu of direct supervision.
Observation of activity, whether in real time or from digital records storage, shall be limited to activities that: 1) are specific to Library operations; 2) may affect the safety and security of Library patrons and staff; and 3) provide protection for Library assets or property.
In the event of a reported or observed incident, the review of recorded information may be used to assist in the investigation of the incident. The Library will maintain control of and responsibility for the system at all times.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Camera placement shall be determined by the Library Director or their designee. Cameras shall not be placed in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms.
To the extent that any recorded images include identifiable persons requesting information or borrowing an item, such record shall be treated as confidential as provided in NJSA 18A:73-43.2. Unless otherwise required by law, designated Library staff will screen real-time images or screen recorded images of persons requesting information or borrowing items to protect the individual’s confidentiality as provided by NJSA 18A:73-43.2. Any inadvertent viewing of protected information shall be held in confidence by the Library staff under the Library’s privacy policy.
Authority to Access Data
The Library Director holds the authority to designate Library staff members who may access video in real time or in recorded formats.
Circumstances under which designated staff may access images in real time include, but are not limited to, the observation of areas beyond view from designated workstations to assure safety and security of people and p property. Access to real-time or recorded imagery is also authorized to designated staff upon report of suspicious behavior, including policy violations, criminal activity, destruction or theft of Library property or assets, or other activity that may be disruptive to Library operations.
Library Use of Images
Video records and still photographs may be used to identify person(s) responsible for Library policy violations, criminal activity on Library property, or actions considered disruptive to normal Library operations or harmful to the provision of Library services.
Video records may be shared with authorized Library staff when appropriate, or, upon approval of the Library Director, to other Library staff to identify those suspended from Library property and to maintain a safe, secure, and policy-compliant environment.
Law Enforcement
All requests for the viewing of real-time or recorded imagery by law enforcement officials must be presented to the Library Director. If the Library Director is unavailable, such requests shall be presented to the supervisory staff designated by the Library Director to hold such authority. Law enforcement may view recorded images unless such images include records protected by NJSA 18A:73-43.2, in which case such records would be released only pursuant to a court issued subpoena or valid court order.
Public Disclosure
All requests for public disclosure of recorded images shall be presented to the Library Director or the staff member designated to act in the Director’s stead. Guidelines for public disclosure of video imaging shall follow N.J.S.A. 47A:1A-1 et seq.; the common law right of access to any record, including, but not limited to, criminal investigatory records of a law enforcement agency and procedures and regulations established by the Borough of Demarest.
Adopted by the Demarest Library Board of Trustees July 20, 2022.