While appreciating the photogenic qualities inherent in their design, libraries remain working institutions whose primary mission remains to serve the needs of their patrons. 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 media and others to use cameras in a way which would help communicate the library's mission.
Privacy of library usage and records is governed by state and federal laws. As such, to provide all the library's patrons with the safest and most pleasant library experience possible, those wishing to use cameras and/or recording equipment within La Crosse Public Library facilities must have verbal permission of any patrons who would be captured on film. Those photographing or videotaping children must have both verbal permission of the child and a written release signed in advance by each child's legal guardian. Those not following this policy may be asked to put away their equipment or leave the library.
Library access by photographers may be additionally limited either by time constraints or to specific areas depending upon such impact or effect such sessions could have upon other library patrons.
La Crosse Public Library staff has the right to photograph, film and record library events and patrons for promotional use only in print, online and video. Patrons to the library, or anyone participating in any library event being captured on film or by photograph, will be advised verbally or through signage that their participation acts as consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded, unless they indicate otherwise to library staff.
The above policy applies only to open, public events. Closed events such as class visits require releases and/or permissions from the supervisor of the visiting organization.
For more information, please contact the library.