Advisory board OKs revised surveillance policy; director says police already have access to library cameras

The Newberg Library Advisory Board voted to approve a revised surveillance policy that clarifies how staff will respond to requests for video, when the city will consult legal counsel, and how public-records requests will be processed.

Library Director Corey Burkel told the board that some wording changes were requested by City Council (Councilor Derek Carmen had raised questions about law enforcement access). Burkel said those conversations prompted staff to add language specifying that, in response to a warrant, subpoena or court order delivered to the city by an external entity, the library director or supervisory staff will review and determine eligibility for release in consultation with legal representation.

Burkel also told the board that the Newberg Police Department “literally have the view of [the video] in the department” as part of the same municipal entity, and therefore the revised language reflects how access already functions. The policy includes steps for members of the public to submit public records requests; Burkel said those requests would be evaluated under public records law (with potentially redacted footage where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy) and that staff would estimate staff time and costs for producing records.

Board members asked that the policy be consolidated to a single page for posting and that the section on public-records requests be prominent; Burkel agreed to tighten the formatting to place key information on a single page and noted the city recorder’s public records process will apply. A motion to accept the surveillance policy with a minor edit was seconded and approved by the board.