[11247] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Pictures on the Web--Responses
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Mon Apr 28 20:57:51 1997
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 16:07:05 -0500
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
5 Messages, 147 Lines
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From: Adam Button <button05@mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: pictures on the web
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Colleagues,
>The computer folks at the college where I work as a reference
>librarian, have placed digital cameras at 4 sites on campus,
>with the intent of having a live picture placed on the
>college homepage. One of the sites is the reference floor
>of the library, with the main focus being the public workstations,
>the reference desk is in the picture, but in the distance.
>While the reference floor is not my office, I do spend about
>half my day there. I am not very happy about being "live" on
>the Net.
>
>How do other public service staff feel about this issue?
>Is the reference area a public space? (this is a private
>college, but our library is open to anyone)
>
>Has anyone else been confronted with this issue?
>
>Linda Matson
>lmatson@delphi.com
This strikes me as very Orwellian. It flies in the face of the principles of
academic freedom and the ALA Freedom to Read Statement. Whether "what"
patrons are doing is apparent, is not the only issue. Regardless of the
computer folks' real intentions, this kind of monitoring, available for
anyone with a connection, is also problematic.
I wonder, what is the objective of broadcasting a live picture of the
reference floor on the Internet? PR is my first guess. But it seems that
this could be achieved as well, probably better, with a still photograph.
The University of Washington's homepage, the last time I visited, had a
time-lapse photo of some outside area of campus. It also displayed a
current weather report. Whenever I visited, it was rainy and dark.
I know that remote cameras are used to monitor traffic congestion and bank
transactions. But the library, where patron confidentiality is a fundamental
right, is an inappropriate place for live TV. Also, while I am not
qualified to comment on the legal issues involved, there must be many
ligitimate objections to be made, especially for library staff. Librarians
are hired for very specific tasks and usually these tasks are well
documented by job descriptions. I've yet to see a librarian job description
which includes "regular appearances on the World Wide Web."
Adam Button
button05@mindspring.com
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From: joslin@wsii.com (Richard Joslin)
Subject: Re: pictures on the web
Hello I am a library studies grad student at the University of Rhode
Island. I also work at the reference desk as an assistant-- teaching CDROM
searching techniques. I have only a "gut" reaction to this situation. I
think it may violate two principles: First, that library patrons have a
right to privacy and confidentiality in their transactions at the library.
The argument might be made that since the library is a public place, and the
camera is "viewing" a very public part of that place, then there is no
violation. But an all-seeing, all-recording "eye" showing who is going to
the reference desk and when disturbs my sense of privacy. My view is that
patrons come to the library as a refuge to study, to research, explore. They
do not come to be "observed" by the prying eyes of the world as if they are
an "exhibit". We need to protect them from that.
Second, there is a great concern about cameras trained on anyone at the
their workplace, even "innocuously". Managers have lately increasingly used
cameras both hidden and open to prevent theft, monitor breaks, check on
productivity, even to intimidate legitimate union activity. The fact that
anyone with a web browser could watch employees at work all day is probably
something any good union steward could legitimately get worked up about.
What if, for example, a reference librarian happened to be subject to
stalker-type harrassment-- something which is more common than most realize.
This camera would be a tremendous aid to the stalker.
Critically important: if they DO put a camera there, it must be
well-advertised, not hidden, so people are aware they are being photographed.
I like live cameras on the net. I think they are "fun". But placement is
key. Outside the library might be OK. Inside, absolutely not. Even if the
purpose is very innocent, it opens up the door to "Big Brother" types of abuse.
My opinion. Would like to hear others.
Richard Joslin
Tiverton, Rhode Island
joslin@wsii.com
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From: Anthony J Adam <aadam@COLEMAN.PVAM.EDU>
Subject: Re: pictures on the web
Live feeds of reference desk (in)action or almost anything else that
isn't hot news seem like an incredible waste of bandwidth, time,
equipment, etc. Does the person who came up with this brilliant idea
think that the rest of us will be fascinated watching you point to
the bathrooms? I'd also have marched to my director's office by now
with a complaint about lack of privacy, not only for yourself, but
for your patrons.
Tony Adam
Reference Dept./Coleman Library
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX 77446
email: anthony-adam@tamu.edu
"Library books were, I suddenly realized, promiscuous,
ready to lie in the arms of anyone asked." Elizabeth
McCracken, THE GIANT'S HOUSE
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From: Meyer <meyerc@sls.lib.il.us>
Subject: Re: pictures on the web
As a reference librarian, I would say that yes, the reference desk is a
public area, *however* there is the issue of privacy. My understanding
of ALA policy is that we protect a patron's right to privacy to the point
of not even telling someone if the patron has come to the library.
Photographing patrons without their permission would seem an extreme
violation of the policy. Showing the library being used (on or off the
net) strikes me as a good thing--we need all the pr we can get, but
surely there is a way to do it without violation of patron privacy.
Reference staff doesn't really have any privacy when on the desk, so the
privacy issue doesn't really apply. It would be unnerving and
uncomfortable, though. The camera which covers the reference desk should
be moved.
Catherine Meyer
Forest Park Public Library
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From: kgs@bluehighways.com (Karen G. Schneider)
Subject: Re: pictures on the web
Have the computer folks trained similar cameras on their own activities? A
reference desk is enough of a fishbowl without spending the day live before
a global audience. Even if it is a "public space"--and I believe it is
employee workspace--this is hardly justified. I could understand if they
asked you and you approved, or if you had the ability to toggle your
interaction on and off--I've often wanted that, in communicating with
remote clients. This, however, seems to be outside the pale.
Who approved this, anyway?
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