2025 Video Surveillance Policy

The Highland Park Public Library values personal privacy and remains committed to maintaining
the appropriate confidentiality of its library users while protecting the public through legal
cooperation with law enforcement when public safety and / or property are at risk.
This policy establishes guidelines for the placement and use of digital video cameras and
access / retrieval of recorded digital video images at the Highland Park Public Library. Video
monitoring and recording is conducted in accordance with all existing local, state, and federal
laws while adhering to current library policies.

The Highland Park Public Library utilizes security cameras to monitor library property and
ensure the safety of individuals on library grounds. The Library conducts video surveillance in
public areas of the library and on library grounds in a manner that aims to protect the
confidentiality of library records and individual privacy.

Video records are accorded the same level of confidentiality and protection provided to library
users by New Jersey state law (including, but not limited to, N.J.S.A.18A:73-43.2 “Confidentiality
of library users’ records”) and Highland Park Public Library policies on confidentiality and
privacy.

Signage:
The Library conspicuously posts signage at its entrances informing the public about the use of
video surveillance cameras. The Library does not monitor or record conversations or other
audible communications. The Library monitors and records in a manner consistent with all
existing local and applicable laws and ordinances.

Locations:
The Library has installed cameras in areas where individuals lack a reasonable expectation of
privacy. Examples include the front & rear patios, outside walkways, entrances, parking lot,
public seating spaces, service desks, the aisles of our collection, and community / study rooms.
The Library positions cameras to avoid, to the fullest extent possible, recording individuals’
reading, viewing, and / or listening activities, in accordance with Article VII of the Library Bill of
Rights. The Library does not install cameras in areas where staff and users have a reasonable
expectation of privacy, such as restrooms.

Access: Only designated Highland Park Public Library employees authorized by the Director have
access to surveillance footage. Typically, these staff members include the Director, Assistant
Director, and IT staff. The Director may authorize staff access to real-time or recorded imagery
upon reports of suspicious behavior, including policy violations, criminal activity, destruction or
theft of library property or assets, or other activity that might disrupt library operations. Viewing
of footage takes place in a secure area to ensure privacy. Persons viewing such footage shall
not violate any laws relevant to this policy while performing their duties and functions. All Library
staff avoids accessing live or recorded camera footage unless a suspected / reported security
incident or library policy violation takes place.

Disclosure of Footage:
The Director will not grant requests to view recorded footage except to law enforcement upon
the presentation of a subpoena or court order, or when otherwise required by law. In the event
of an immediately executable search warrant, or if law enforcement is pursuing an investigation
affecting the Library in cooperation with Library Administration, the Director / designee will
comply and / or consult with legal counsel to determine the legal and appropriate course of
action.

Individuals authorized under this policy may use still photographs 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.

Confidentiality / privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing or receiving camera
footage that contains user information. If the Library receives a request from the general public
to inspect camera footage that contains user information, the Director will advise the general
public to contact the police.

Data Retention:
The Library retains video footage for 30 days, unless an ongoing investigation or litigation
requires a longer retention period. The Library’s camera software automatically deletes video
footage after 30 days, unless specific footage is preserved in response to the Director’s request
or intervention.

 

Approved September 29, 2025