Library Filming Policy

The Jefferson County Public Library (the Library) seeks to provide free and equitable access to quality library service for all patrons in a safe and pleasant environment without discrimination, intimidation, threat of harm, or invasion of privacy. The Library is dedicated to providing radically welcoming customer service in an enjoyable and comfortable environment that meets people where they are.

Public Libraries are institutions whose primary mission is to serve the needs of its community. Libraries have a responsibility to reasonably restrict behavior in their buildings, particularly when the conduct would be disruptive or interfere with other patrons’ access or be inconsistent with the Library’s mission. As such, this policy is intended to protect library patrons who may be endangered or inconvenienced by having their photo or video image taken in the library, while encouraging others to use cameras in a way that does not interfere with access to resources and services. This policy extends throughout the interior space of all the Library’s physical facilities and applies to both patrons and employees.

Filming is defined as the taking of still or motion pictures either on film, videotape, digital or similar recording medium for non-commercial, commercial, or educational purposes.

Visitors are welcome to film in the public spaces of our locations. Individuals may film staff to the extent that it does not interfere with other’s ability to receive information, participate in programs, or access library resources and adheres to the Library’s Code of Conduct. Individuals may not film other patrons without their permission. Filming may be restricted or prohibited in certain sensitive library spaces including, but not limited to; restrooms, parental/caregiver support areas (i.e. nursing, sensory processing), and areas reserved for staff use only.

Library staff reserve the right to ask any individual or group to cease filming when it appears to compromise public or staff safety or interfere with access to library resources by other patrons. Photographers/videographers are asked to be respectful and refrain from disturbing other library users and staff; a repeated failure to do so may result in suspension of library privileges. While photos and videos of publicly available collections are permitted, patrons are solely responsible for obtaining consent or other permission when capturing copyrighted materials.

Non-Commercial Filming (private use such as a visiting library professional, casual tourist or library user who wants to record a visit or capture a building’s architecture) is generally allowed within the Library without prior written permission provided that such activity does not capture identifiable likenesses of patrons without their permission. Individuals who film must honor requests from library users who do not want to be included in photos or video. Equipment, such as tripods, may not obstruct passageways or cause disturbances to users. Filming cannot interfere with the other patron’s access to library resources or present a safety risk. The Library may ask an individual to cease filming if it interferes with the other patron’s access to library resources or presents a safety risk.

Commercial Filming (such as filming by with the intent of generating income such as advertising or professional film production) must be approved in advance by the Library’s Director of Communications and Engagement in order to ensure that such activity would not be disruptive or interfere with Library operations or be inconsistent with the Library’s mission. All individuals proposing to engage in such commercial activities must request approval in writing and in advance. All requests to use a library facility as a setting for filming are to be referred to the Director of Communications and Engagement, who has the responsibility and authority to evaluate the requests and to monitor the recording. Requests will be evaluated in terms of their intended purpose and the impact on library operations and services. Such approval shall contain the conditions under which the commercial/media photography or filming will take place and address the rights to ownership of the photos/films. For commercial requests please contact the Director of Communications and Engagement via email.

Members of the Media who wish to conduct newsgathering in the Library are requested to make themselves known to the Director of Communication and Engagement by sponsoring media house and position/title, or to the staff member who is the Person In Charge of the location. News gathering cannot disrupt Library staff’s ability to conduct business, interfere with access to library resources by other patrons or present a safety risk. Examples of behaviors that can be disruptive include but are not limited to interfering with the operation of the Library or its use by other patrons, interviewing at other than normal conversational voice level, obstructing movement of other patrons, and photographing or audio recording patrons without their permission. This policy does not apply to a member of the media in his or her capacity as a customer using the library’s resources.

Filming by Library Staff. Library staff or its representatives may film library events and patrons for promotional use. Visitors to the library, or participants in any library event being captured on film or by photograph, will be advised in advance, verbally or through signage, that their participation in the event acts as consent to being filmed, unless they otherwise clearly indicate to the contrary to library staff. The library may utilize photos and videos from public programs and events in its facilities, spaces, website, social media and publications. To ensure the privacy of all individuals, their images will not be identified using personally identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian. This section only applies only to open, public events. Closed events such as class visits would require releases and/or permissions from the supervisor of the visiting organization.