[CASL-L] Security cameras in the library

[Jamie Sepa]

I agree with Casey.

Further, the district cannot unilaterally place a camera in your teaching
space. According to law, this is a mandatory subject of bargaining with
your local teacher's union. If it were me, I would contact a union rep to
get additional advice and support.

And not for nothing, but Tom Mooney, the author of the opinion that I
shared earlier, literally wrote the book
<https://www.shipmangoodwin.com/insights/a-practical-guide-to-connecticut-school-law.html>
on teachers and the law in CT. If he says that this amounts to an unfair
labor practice--believe him. Good luck.

Thanks,

Jamie




Jamie Sepa



*Library Scientist andK-12 Library/Media CoordinatorSimsbury Public
Schools860.658.2251 ext. 118*



Think Dangerously™


On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM LaPlante, Casey via CASL-L <
casl-l at mylist.net> wrote:

> 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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