[CASL-L] Security cameras in the library

[LaPlante, Casey]

This is where I would strongly argue against cameras in my workspace--the
chance that they could be used to comment on how I spend my time at work.
No other teacher has cameras on them all day; honestly, I don't know any
other staff that does. It seems like a complete invasion of my privacy as
an employee. There are so many reasons why teachers don't have cameras in
their classrooms, and I am a teacher and this is my work environment.

Casey



On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM Anderson Halbert, Kirsten <
kirsten.anderson at stoningtonschools.org> wrote:

> When we renovated our schools in 2018, 2 cameras that feed directly to the
> police dept were installed in the library, either end of the library and
> check out is in the middle so can't capture it. But it has been used to
> comment about what I'm doing when teaching....
>
> The only other spaces that are taught in that also have cameras are in the
> gym.
>
> On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 8:19 AM Lauren Yansick <yansickl at shermanschool.com>
> wrote:
>
>> 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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>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> 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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-- 
Casey LaPlante
Library Media Specialist
Granby Memorial High School
Granby, CT

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