Facilities Management - Video Camera Policies and Procedures

Security Camera Policy for the University of Arizona Libraries

The University of Arizona Libraries has security surveillance cameras installed in and around the Main and Science and Engineering Libraries. The cameras are installed for the safety and security of our library customers and as a deterrent to theft and other illegal activities. Cameras are installed on all entrances and exits for each facility as well as in the internal elevator and stairwell lobbies. Express Document Center and Special Collections are considered high value areas and have additional internal camera coverage.

 The cameras provide the capability of authorized service desk staff  to view the coverage areas without leaving their desks.  The images from the cameras for Main and Science and Engineering are recorded on central digital recorders to provide for viewing at a later time. The images are retained for approximately two weeks.  Special Collections and Express Documents Center camera systems are independent and are stored on VHS tapes.  These tapes are retained in those areas according to each function’s tape reuse schedules.

All recorded images from both types of recorder are the property of the University of Arizona Libraries. All images will be treated as library records and are considered confidential information. Release of any stored image from the camera systems will be in accordance with the policies set forth in the “Procedures for Law Enforcement Visits Involving Subpoenas or Search Warrants document, F:\Teams\CABINET\Cabinet Shared\Policies & Procedures\Procedures for Law Enforcement Visits.doc. 

The ethics of the library profession require that personally identifiable information about library users be kept confidential. This principle is reflected in Article III of the Code of Ethics, which states that “[library staff] protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received, and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted (Code of Ethics of the American Library Association, 1995).

Access to the Main and Science and Engineering Library camera systems for viewing and look back/playback capabilities are controlled through a user id and password issued to authorize Library staff members.  Amer-x will not activate access or level changes for any individual without specific direction from Jim Fromm or Joey Egea. Staff members  access will be identified by their team leaders at one of two levels. 

Level 2 access will be granted to only a limited number of night supervisors from AIST and UST (extended hours) with security responsibilities in the Libraries after hours. These supervisors will only have the authority to look back for events that have happened during their shift and do research for an incident that happened previously. As an example; a supervisor may want to investigate an incident that occurred today to determine if it is similar to one that had happened three days ago. Level 2 authorization will allow the supervisor  to go back and view the history. Results of such an investigation with exact details (date of  incident and time information from the recorder) and the relevant information should then be provided to Jim Fromm or Hayri Yildirim. If a download is required to preserve the specific images or time intervals, Jim Fromm or Joey Egea will be contacted to accomplish the download In the event of a backup request than either Jim Fromm or Joey Egea should be contacted. Basically Level 2 users will have the look back capability for investigative purposes without any time limit but will not download any images from the digital recorder or provide them to any individual.   The Procedures on Law Enforcement Visits must be complied with at all times.

Level 3 has been granted to other service desk staff for real-time viewing of the cameras. The Level 3 users will not have look back or recording capability. They will only have real time viewing capability and these views are for internal library staff uses to insure security in the Libraries. 

Camera views should not be shared with a customers or anyone else. The cameras are to be used exclusively for security issues and nothing else. This policy will be strictly enforced.