[CASL-L] Security cameras in the library

[Lauren Yansick]

This is super interesting to hear all the reasons why admins are either in
favor or against it. 2/3 districts I have worked in over the last 15 years
have had cameras in the library. This time around a camera was installed in
the library without asking me first. I don't mind it so much because
there is no audio and it does not face my desk. One district I was in the
camera was linked to the police station and one of the cops admitted that
they just peek at it when they are bored, ect.

Cameras are such a touchy subject and it can really swing both ways. I
personally find it extremely hypocritical that cameras are installed in the
libraries and not the classrooms. We are on the same contract as teachers.

On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 8:05 AM Tracy Earnshaw <tearnshaw at rsd13.org> wrote:

> I find this issue so interesting!  Two principals ago I asked for a camera
> so I could better monitor an area of the library.  I was told I couldn't do
> it because of student privacy, even if I didn't record them.  I guess it is
> subjective whether a library is considered a classroom or not!
>
> *Tracy Earnshaw*
>
> Teacher Librarian
>
> Frank Ward Strong Middle School
>
> Regional School District 13
>
> 191 Main Street | Durham, CT 06422
>
> O: 860.349.7222 | tearnshaw at rsd13.org
>
> Visit us at: http://strong.rsd13ct.org <http://lyman.rsd13ct.org/>
> "Books may well be the only true magic." --Alice Hoffman
>
> Coginchaug Regional High School
>
> 135 Pickett Lane | P. O. Box 280 | Durham, CT 06422
>
> O: 860.349.7215 | tearnshaw at rsd13.org
>
> Visit us at: http://crhs.rsd13ct.org <http://lyman.rsd13ct.org/>
> "Books may well be the only true magic." --Alice Hoffman
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 7:55 AM Tenley Stoltz <
> tenley.stoltz at somers.k12.ct.us> wrote:
>
>> Good morning,
>>
>> Our LMC does have a camera. I didn't want one, but after there was a
>> fight in the makerspace I was overruled. It is a broad angle camera that
>> shows the majority of the space. You can't see the computer, but I did find
>> out recently that you can see me. ☹️ I had been told when it was installed
>> that it had been angled to not show the circulation desk, so I'm less than
>> thrilled. The only reason I'm ok with it is because I know they only check
>> the footage when there has been an issue and they are looking for a
>> student.
>>
>> Tenley
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM Jamie Sepa <jsepa at simsburyschools.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Good morning all,
>>> I would say no. Here is a recent opinion about something similar in
>>> classrooms. The library is my classroom.
>>>
>>> Your idea to place surveillance cameras in classrooms more broadly is
>>> very different and especially concerning.  Setting aside how intrusive
>>> teachers would find such cameras, the State Board of Labor Relations has
>>> ruled that placement of surveillance cameras in the workplace is a
>>> mandatory subject of negotiations.  *See, e.g.*, City of Hartford
>>> <http://www.lawadmin.com/sg/gendocs/4719.pdf>, Decision No. 4719 (St.
>>> Bd. Lab. Rel., March 19, 2014).  Accordingly, it would be an unfair labor
>>> practice for you to place surveillance cameras in classrooms unless your
>>> school district and the teachers’ union agree through negotiations that you
>>> may do so (which will never happen).
>>>
>>> The full text of the article is here
>>> <https://www.ctschoollaw.com/2025/01/cas-legal-mailbag-1-9-25/>.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Jamie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jamie Sepa
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Library Scientist andK-12 Library/Media CoordinatorSimsbury Public
>>> Schools860.658.2251 ext. 118*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Think Dangerously™
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 8:59 PM CASL President <president at ctcasl.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hmm. That is an interesting one. I don't know much about this, but I
>>>> don't like the idea of the checkout screen being seen.
>>>>
>>>> What is the rationale for having them? I understand security, but is
>>>> there something that has been happening?
>>>>
>>>> *Jenny Lussier*
>>>> CASL President
>>>>
>>>> Connecticut Association of School Librarians Organization Address:
>>>>
>>>> 4 Wotton Lane
>>>>
>>>> Burlington, CT 06013
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM Elizabeth Wright <
>>>> liz.sarah.wright at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all!
>>>>>
>>>>> I was wondering who has security cameras in their libraries as a part
>>>>> of the security of the school. My principal seems to think that putting a
>>>>> camera in the space is a good idea. The biggest worry I have is where
>>>>> they’re talking about putting it, which would give the camera a view of our
>>>>> checkout screen.
>>>>>
>>>>> But I’m wondering how others see this!
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Liz
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Tenley Stoltz
>> Library Media Specialist
>> Somers High School
>>
>> *“The best way to measure how much you've grown isn't by inches or the
>> number of laps you can now run around the track, or even your grade point
>> average-- though those things are important, to be sure. It's what you've
>> done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you've
>> touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” - R.J.
>> Palacio, Wonder*
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-- 
*Lauren Yansick*
*Library Media Specialist*
*The Sherman School*
"Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back
the right one." - Neil Gaiman
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