Security Camera Policy
The Maquoketa Public Library strives to maintain a safe and secure environment for its staff and patrons. To help with this, selected areas of the library building and grounds are under continuous video surveillance and recording. This is to deter violations of the patron conduct policy, public endangerment, vandalism, theft 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 confidentiality of library records, the disclosure of public records, and the protection of individual privacy.
Security Camera Locations
Reasonable efforts shall be made to safeguard the privacy of patrons and employees. The security cameras will be positioned to record only those areas specifically specified by the Director and will complement other measures to maintain a safe and secure environment in compliant with library policies. Camera locations shall not be changed or added without the permission of the Director. Cameras may be installed in locations where staff and customers would not have an expectation of privacy. Examples include common areas of the Library such as restrooms, nor are they positioned to identify a person’s reading, viewing, or listening activities in the library.
Signage in Areas under Surveillance
The public will be notified, using clearly worded signs prominently displayed inside and outside the library. Signs posted in relevant areas will read “Notice – Video Surveillance in Use on These Premises.” A sign at the main entrance reads “SECURITY CAMERAS IN USE Areas of the building are under video surveillance. Images may be collected that allow an individual to be identified. The use of video surveillance is solely for the purposes of controlling theft, ensuring the safety of library users and staff, and facilitating the identification of individuals who behave in a disruptive manner, cause damage to library property or are otherwise acting in conflict with the library’s conduct rules.”
The library’s video surveillance system shall be used only for the protection and safety customers, employees, assets, property, and to identify persons breaking the law or violating the library’s patron conduct policy.
Access to Digital Images
The system will be secure and will only be viewed by those with those authorized to do so. The Library staff, in the course of their normal duties, will monitor the video security system. Only the Director or those authorized by the Director may access the recorded archival data. Such persons shall not violate any laws relevant to this policy in performing their duties and functions related to the video security system. Library employees are to review and comply with this policy.
Use/Disclosure of Video Records
- Video records may be used by individuals authorized under this policy or law enforcement to identify the person or persons responsible for library policy violations, criminal activity on library property, actions considered disruptive to normal library operations or violation of the library’s patron conduct policy.
- Video records may be shared with library employees when appropriate to identify person(s) suspended from library property and to maintain a safe, secure, and policy-compliant environment.
- Under certain circumstances, the Director may use a still shot or selected portions of recorded data to request law enforcement review for assessing the security risk of a specific individual or for investigating a crime on library property.
- Video records shall not be used or disclosed other than as specifically authorized by this policy.
All requests for security camera footage or still shots by law enforcement will be referred to the Library Director.
In the event of a search warrant, which is executable immediately, the Director will comply with the search warrant and consult with legal counsel. Upon receipt of a subpoena or other court order, the Director shall consult with legal counsel to determine if the document is in proper form and that good cause for its issuance in a court of proper jurisdiction is demonstrated. If not, the Director shall insist any defect be remedied before releasing patron records that contain patron information.
Retention and Storage of Digital Images
Images will be stored for a length of time based on available storage, but no longer than 30 days, unless they are needed for ban or bar documentation. As new images are recorded, the oldest images will be automatically deleted. Retained images and video will be stored securely in the Director’s office.
General Public Requesting Access to Security Camera Footage
Confidentiality/privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing security camera footage that contains patron information. If the library receives a request from the general public to inspect security camera footage which contains patron information, the general public will be advised to file a police complaint.
Unauthorized Access and/or Disclosure
A breach of this Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Any library employee who becomes aware of any unauthorized disclosure of a video record and/or a potential privacy breach has a responsibility to ensure that the Director is immediately informed of the breach.
Adopted September 2024