Policy Statement

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) is a limited public forum and activities not compatible with the purpose of the Library may be restricted. Photography and/or videography may impede the public’s use of TLCPL facilities, TLCPL staff’s delivery of services to the public, or an individual’s expectation of privacy and may not be compatible with the purpose of the Library. Accordingly, this policy protects customer privacy by expressly prohibiting photography and/or videography of Library customers in any Library facility without their permission.

Media is asked to seek approval from the Communications & Innovation Department before taking photographs and/or videos to ensure that such activities do not impede the public’s use of TLCPL facilities, TLCPL staff’s delivery of services to the public, or an individual’s expectation of privacy in a limited public forum. Requests may be made to marketing@toledolibrary.org or by calling 419.259.5200.

Purpose

This policy ensures that the taking of photographs and/or videos by the public or media in TLCPL facilities does not interfere with Library business, the public’s use of the Library or include individuals without their permission.

Definitions

This policy speaks to photographs and/or videos that can be taken with multiple types of devices including but not limited to cameras, video recorders, cellular devices, phones, tablets and computers.

Policy

The public may take photographs and/or videos in the public areas of the Library to record their own visit or capture a building’s architecture. However, such photography and/or videography may not include other customers without their permission as this violates the expectation of privacy within a limited public forum. Permission to photograph or video record individuals must be granted by those individuals or their guardians. Minors cannot give permission – only their guardian can grant permission. Library staff will not administer permissions for members of the public to take photographs and/or videos of other individuals.

Non-flash photography and/or videography is permitted at Library programs and events for personal use, not for publication or broadcast, provided that it is not disruptive and does not capture any identifiable likenesses of individuals without their permission. Taking photographs and/or videos at Library events or author events is subject to the wishes of the individual author or paid performer/presenter.

Community organizations holding scheduled events or meetings in TLCPL study, conference or meeting rooms may arrange for their own photography or videography of their event. The public may photograph and/or video record community events or meetings so long as the activity does not compromise public safety or security or interfere with the ability of the meeting organizer to conduct the business of the meeting. The photographs and/or videos may not capture any identifiable likenesses of individuals without their permission.

Photographs and/or videos of specific, copyrighted (or otherwise protected) materials for the purpose of redistribution is prohibited.

TLCPL staff may stop any photography and/or videography that appears to interfere with TLCPL's ability to conduct business, violates a customer’s privacy or that compromises public safety or security.

Commercial Photography/Videography
No commercial photography and/or videography in Library facilities is permissible without the express permission of TLCPL, which shall set forth the conditions under which the photography or videography may take place. Requests may be made to the Communications & Innovation Department at marketing@toledolibrary.org or by calling 419.259.5200.

Wedding or Portrait Photography/Videography
Should you wish to use TLCPL facilities for family or wedding photography and/or videography, permission should be secured from the manager of the Library location to ensure the request doesn’t affect TLCPL's ability to conduct business, or that compromises public safety or security.

Media provisions:

TLCPL welcomes news media photographers, videographers and reporters documenting stories or projects that directly involve TLCPL and its programs, resources and/or services, provided that notice is given and approved, the public use of the Library is not impeded and the above provisions are followed. Requests may be made to Communications & Innovation at marketing@toledolibrary.org or by calling 419.259.5200.

Photography and/or videography of the exterior areas of Library property is allowed, as long as such activity complies with the Code of Conduct, and does not interfere with the flow of traffic and with customers or staff wishing to enter or leave the building.

We ask that news media photographers, videographers and reporters do not approach minors for photography and/or videography requests unless an accompanying guardian grants permission. Minors are not able to provide consent and such requests are expressly prohibited.

We also ask that news media do not approach customers, or conduct or schedule interviews with the public, about non-Library stories or projects.

Approved by the Board of Trustees - February 2020