Library board approves CAT streaming app privacy policy, green-lights staff testing

The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees voted May 20 to approve a privacy policy for a new CAT streaming app that will make library and local government video archives available on Apple TV and Roku devices.

Martin introduced the app and credited Cody with developing the initial Apple TV and Roku versions. Ned B., the library's IT director, said the app will be released in a soft launch to staff for testing and that the library's policy is to avoid collecting patron data. "The app requires no user accounts or logins or a profile to be created," Ned B. said, adding that the library does not track viewing history, device identifiers, location data or include third-party tracking scripts.

Ned noted one caveat: app stores and the platform owners (for example, Apple) may record download counts and other platform-level metadata even if the library does not collect personal information.

Board members raised privacy questions about filming events in the library and whether existing media-relations or program-request policies need revision to reflect wider streaming. Staff explained how the library secures permissions for organized events and how it uses signage and ticketing language to notify attendees when recording may occur.

Why it matters: the app aims to increase public access to local meetings and archived community videos while keeping patron data private. The board approved the policy by voice vote and directed staff to return if further policy changes to the library's media relations are needed.

Next steps: staff will proceed with app-store submission and staff testing, and bring any recommended edits to the media-relations or program-request policies back to the board if required.