The Poultney Public Library collects, maintains, and makes available to all members of the community resources that contribute to personal, educational and recreational enrichment. To complete this mission, the Library must offer a welcoming, open atmosphere and provide a comfortable and safe environment where people can use library facilities, services, and collections for their intended purposes.

Purpose of Security Cameras

The purpose of the security system is to enhance the safety and security of library users, staff, and property.  This policy is in force to deter public endangerment, vandalism, and mischief  in unsupervised areas and to identify those individuals involved in such activity for law enforcement purposes, while adhering to the applicable federal, state and local law concerning the confidentially of library records, the disclosure of public records, and the protection of individual privacy.

The library’s security camera system will be used only for the protection and safety of library visitors, employees, assets, and property, and to identify persons breaking the law or violating the library’s Code of Conduct.  Staff and visitor safety is the first priority in any threatening situation.  The protection of Library property is of secondary importance.

Security Camera Locations

Cameras may be installed in locations where individuals lack a reasonable expectation of privacy. Examples include common areas of the Library such as entrances, near book and media collections, public seating areas, public computers, and areas prone to theft or misconduct.

Cameras will not be installed in areas of the Library where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms. Nor are they positioned to identify a person’s reading, viewing, or listening activities in the Library.

Security

The Library has no obligation to monitor the cameras in real time. As the cameras are not constantly monitored, Library staff and the public should continue to take appropriate precautions for their safety and for the safety of their personal property. The Library is not responsible for the loss of property or personal injury.

Data Storage and Access

Video records and still photographs may be used by authorized individuals to identify those responsible for library policy violations, criminal activity on library property, or actions considered disruptive to normal library operations as delineated in the Library Code of Conduct.

Access to the archival footage in pursuit of documented incidents of injury, criminal activity, or violation of the Library’s Code of Conduct is restricted to the Library Director, and IT Personnel as needed. Cameras are not continuously monitored. However, circumstances including reports of policy violations, suspected criminal activity, and destruction or theft of library resources may require such monitoring to occur. Recorded data is confidential and secured in a controlled area. Recordings will typically be stored for no more than 30 days, unless required as part of an ongoing investigation.  As new images are recorded, the oldest images will be automatically deleted.

For investigations initiated by law enforcement agencies, recorded data will be made available to law enforcement upon presentation of a valid court order or subpoena establishing probable cause to review the data.  

In situations where library staff request police or other emergency assistance, recorded data may be provided as relevant.

In situations involving banned patrons, stored still images may be shared with library staff.  Shared images may remain posted in restricted staff areas for the duration of the banning period.  

General Public Requesting Access to Security Camera Footage

Confidentiality/privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing camera footage.

Privacy

In all other respects, recorded data will be accorded the same level of confidentiality and protection provided to library users by Vermont State law, Poultney Public Library policies, and the American Library Association policies on confidentiality.

The Library disclaims any liability for use of the video data in accordance with the terms of this policy, given that the library is a public facility and the security cameras shall be limited to those areas where patrons and/or staff have no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Approved by the Board of Trustees of the Poultney Public Library at a duly warned open meeting.   July 19, 2023