The Independence Township Library is taking steps to become a safer environment. The Independence Board of Trustees approved a measure to install nine security video cameras in the library for a cost of $12,403.
The decision was made on the recommendation of Library Director Mollie Lynch who said it was something the library needed. She said the idea really came about when local artists began to showcase their work in the meeting room.
“We didn’t feel comfortable leaving the door unlocked because there is an emergency exit in the corner with easy access to the parking lot. We have alarms but our employees are at the other end of the building. There is no way we could get there in time. It just did not make sense to leave that room open,” Lynch said.
As a result the only way individuals could look at the art was to ask a worker to unlock the door for them. Lynch also said there were about a half dozen other instances over the years where the cameras would have come in handy.
“There are a lot of valuable items in the library that we want to make sure are protected,” Lynch said. “With the Clarkston Historical Museum being in here there are a lot of really unique items. And as our collection grows things are becoming more valuable. We have well over 3,000 people coming through here each week.”
The nine cameras will be placed strategically throughout the building. They will film the exits, parking lot and other areas deemed appropriate by the library. The videos would help police identify suspects during their criminal actions. The videos can also be burned to a disk so the library can keep a record of them.
Lynch is not sure exactly when the cameras would be installed but said it should be a pretty quick process.