Cd'A library trustees OK communication policies

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Public Library board of trustees approved new policies Wednesday regarding communication and photography, filming and recording in the library.

“Library patrons should be able to use library services without fear that their identity, location, or reading choices will be published,” the policy states.

Jim Windisch, board chair, said Wednesday that a situation arose during a children's book club meeting when an adult, who was not with a child participant, was recording the meeting.

“That definitely gave us pause,” Windisch said.

The board discussed whether that was something that should be allowed in the library, and went to work on a policy, with input from the city's legal department.

“A good part of it was to prevent that sort of action in the future,” Windisch said.

The policy states, in part, that photography, filming and audio recording are allowed “to the extent that it does not interfere with the provision of library services, is consistent with the library’s mission statement and this policy.”

It goes on to state: “The library reserves the right to ask any individual or group to cease photographic, film or audio recording if such activity results in disruption of the ordinary library environment or operations, interferes with the privacy rights of library patrons or compromises public safety or security. Individuals or groups who refuse to cease recording upon request by a library staff member will be considered in breach of library policy.”

The policy offers general rules and covers several areas, including equipment and liability.

Non-commercial photography, filming or audio recording by patrons and visitors for personal use “is permitted in library facilities provided that such activity does not capture identifiable likenesses or communications of library patrons without their express permission.

“A person who takes still photographs, or who makes films or audio recordings must honor the request of a library patron who does not want to be included in such media," the policy states.

Trustee Steve McCrea on Wednesday recommended — and the board agreed — that it be made clear that photographing, filming and recording at board meetings was permitted.

The communication policy covers what is expected of library staff and trustees.

“Staff shall avoid speaking to the public while being photographed, filmed or recorded without the permission of the Library Director and refer patrons who are photographing, filming or recording to the Library Director or, if the Library Director is unavailable, a supervisor," it says.

The policy says the library director and board chair are to be the primary spokespersons with the media “with the intention of providing effective, responsive and consistent communications.”

Library Director Michael Priest said the communications policy seed was planted last year when trustees were working on an ethics policy.

“It came up, 'Who was the voice of the board of trustees?' It was established it was the chair,” he said.

The board decided to also establish a communication policy for the library in general.

Regarding staff and trustee conduct, it states: “To ensure consistently excellent communication and service delivery, they shall refrain from using vulgarity racist, sexist or otherwise derogatory remarks, and engaging in commercial, religious or politically partisan conversation while on duty.”

It also says library staff and trustees may provide presentations to local organizations and groups as scheduling allows.

"The content of these presentations shall focus on library services unless the speaker makes it clear they are speaking as a private citizen and not an employee or representative of the library or City of Coeur d’Alene," the policy states.

The policy says library staff can photograph/film/record people of all ages at library sponsored programs and events for publicity purposes.

"Library staff shall verbally notify attendees of their intent to photograph/film/record the program or event," according to the policy. "Any attendee who expresses an objection to themselves or their own minor children being portrayed will not be photographed/filmed/recorded. Names of attendees will not be used in any publicity without prior consent."

The policies took effect with the board's approval.