Boyne Regional Library strives to maintain a safe and secure environment for its patrons and staff. Selected areas of the Library are equipped with security cameras for the safety and security of the building, staff, and patrons. The public is notified, on clearly worded signs that the Library is under video surveillance so that visitors have a reasonable and adequate warning that the surveillance is or may be in operation.
Security Camera Locations
The library understands that privacy is important to patrons and staff. This policy is in force to deter public endangerment, vandalism, theft, and mischief, and to identify those individuals involved in such activity for law enforcement purposes, while adhering to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and other applicable privacy laws.
Reasonable efforts are made to safeguard the privacy of Library patrons and staff. Cameras are positioned to record high traffic areas and will complement other measures to maintain a safe and secure environment in compliance with Library policies. Camera locations will not be changed or added without the permission of the head librarian. Cameras will not be installed in locations where staff and patrons would 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.
Access to Digital Images/Recordings
Typically, the images will be reviewed by the head librarian. If an incident comes to the attention of the head librarian, or the assistant librarian, the retained images will be saved for as long as necessary.
Because cameras will not be continuously monitored, the public and staff should take appropriate precautions for their safety and for the security of their personal property. The Boyne Regional Library is not responsible for loss of property or personal injury.
Live camera footage will not be available to the public for viewing at any time. Only the head librarian, or assistant librarian have access to live footage as well as have access to the administrative settings of the digital video recorder and playback systems.
Disclosure of Digital Images/Recordings
Video records and still photographs may be used to identify person(s) responsible for policy violations, criminal activity on Library property, or actions considered disruptive to normal operations.
In situations involving suspended patrons, stored still images may be shared with staff.
Video records and photos obtained through the video monitoring system will be released as necessary and in accordance with applicable laws, when pursuant to a subpoena, court order, or when otherwise required by law.
Recordings are reviewed by two Library staff to determine if the incident is administrative or police reportable. If the incident is determined to be police reportable, the head librarian or the assistant librarian will make the report and release any video recording to law enforcement. Under certain circumstances, video may be required to share with the Board of Directors, Town of Carman CAO, current Town of Carman councilor’s, The RM of Dufferin CAO and current RM of Dufferin councilor’s. Unless required by an enforceable legal process, no video records will be released to the media, patrons, or other persons.
Confidentiality and privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing security camera footage that contains personally identifying information about library users. If the library receives a request for the general public to inspect security camera footage, the person will be advised to file a police complaint.
Retention of Digital Images/Recordings
Images from the security cameras are stored digitally in the library. It is the intention of the library to maintain images for a minimum of 14 days or until system capacity is reached, then the oldest recordings are automatically deleted to make room for new recordings.
The retention period for recordings is typically two weeks but may vary based on the storage space available. Recordings required for evidence are saved to a secure file.
Disclaimer of Responsibility
Questions from the public may be directed to the head librarian.
The Library disclaims any liability for the use of 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: December 6th/2023