That was a great series of responses and thanks so much for everyone’s feedback.

A few points to provide context like Jenny asked for:
1. The school is purchasing security cameras for some areas and my principal was saying they would add one to the library if there was enough funding. No event caused it — just the thought that it was another communal space that could be covered by cameras for safety/security. We are adding one to a hallway and one to the cafeteria.
2. The library is, sadly, the study hall room currently. Special education has a classroom space that would not be visible, our paid tutors (who are not on teacher contract) do all of their instruction in the library, and duties are almost all in the library. I am not able to often use it for instruction because it is more convenient for me to push into classes than displace the study hall. I’ll sometimes bring book carts to rooms but more often instruct research skills focused on our digital resources within the teachers’ classroom.
3. I work at a high school attached to the main high school in town (we’re an interdistrict magnet, but our school is part of East Hartford Public Schools). The main high school’s library is probably 6 times our size (I can see all of the library with the exception of a back corner from the circulation desk) and DOES have cameras. The head of facilities said they got around the labor laws by saying that its use isn’t PRIMARILY instruction, so it doesn’t apply.
4. My concern isn’t my current administration, but more forward-thinking about how it COULD be used.

 

On Jan 15, 2025, at 12:48 PM, casl-l-request@mylist.net wrote:

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Today's Topics:

  1. Re: Security cameras in the library (Loretta Sullivan)
  2. Women's History Month (Janice Hechter)

From: Loretta Sullivan <b59lgian@mpspride.org>
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Security cameras in the library
Date: January 15, 2025 at 9:29:22 AM EST
To: Elizabeth Wright <liz.sarah.wright@gmail.com>
Cc: casl-l@mylist.net


Hello Elizabeth,

We have a camera in the back of our library and not anywhere near screens or student data.  I am fine with it as it has been helpful at times with student behaviors.  Only a limited number of staff (security/admins) have permissions/ability to review camera footage.  There a a few blind spots due to columns.

Respectfully,

Loretta Sullivan
Library Media Specialist       
Bennet Academy
Manchester, CT






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On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM Elizabeth Wright <liz.sarah.wright@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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From: Janice Hechter <janice@janicehechter.com>
Subject: [CASL-L] Women's History Month
Date: January 15, 2025 at 12:48:16 PM EST
To: CASL <CASL-L@mylist.net>


Connecticut author/illustrator Janice Hechter's new children's book published by Red Chair Press comes out on February 4, 2025.

The title is Where Are the Women?: The Girl Scouts' Campaign for the First Statue of Women in Central Park.

It perfectly ties in to Women's History Month.
When a group of New York City Girl Scouts learn in 2016 that there are no statues of women in Central Park, they organize and combine forces in a quest to change that shocking fact.
Kirkus Reviews recommends the book, calling it "An inspiring true story of female empowerment."
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/janice-hechter/where-are-the-women/
This book won a Mom’s Choice Gold Award, a Bronze Readers’ Choice Award, and a Royal Dragonfly Book Award for Children’s Nonfiction.

<gDRsph2Z0StqQWCd.jpg>



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