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Policy: Photography & Filming

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Code NH

Date Approved 3/20/06

Date Revised 10/17/16; 08/17/26

A. Purpose

As a public facility and community destination, Fayetteville Public Library generally permits photography and filming that supports its mission while maintaining an environment for study, research, programs, and equitable access. Photography and filming may not be used in a manner that disrupts library operations, interferes with access, or violates the Code of Conduct. This policy is intended to balance the public’s ability to document their experience in the library with the library’s responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming, and disruption-free environment for all patrons.

B. Authorized Photography and Filming

It is requested that the Library be credited properly in all photographs and films used for commercial purposes and as appropriate in non-commercial uses. Credit is not a condition of access.

  1. Casual Personal Photography
    Personal photography and filming using handheld devices is permitted for personal use.
    1. Only handheld equipment is allowed if it does not obstruct access or create a safety hazard; tripods, freestanding lighting, staging, and similar production activity require authorization under subsection 2.
    2. Activities must not materially disrupt Library operations, programs, services, or another person’s use of the Library.
    3. Confidential patron records and personal privacy must be protected as provided in Section C.
    4. All activity must follow the Code of Conduct.

  2. Organized, Staged, and Equipment-Assisted Photography
    Organized, professional, or commercial photography or filming that involves posed participants, staging, non-handheld equipment, reserved or exclusive use of space, or Library staff support requires advance authorization.
    1. Requests should be submitted at least 72 hours in advance through the Photography & Filming Request Form when reasonably feasible.
    2. Requests must include contact information, proposed date and time, expected duration and participants, equipment, requested spaces, and a general description of the activity sufficient to identify operational needs.
    3. The Library may impose reasonable conditions based only on space availability, duration, attendance, equipment, staffing, insurance, safety, privacy, and confidentiality, non-disruption, and the intended use of the affected space.
    4. A production may be limited to particular locations or non-public hours and may require an agreement, insurance, or staff coordination only when reasonably related to its demonstrated operational or safety impacts.
    5. Authorization will not be granted, conditioned, or denied based on the applicant’s identity or the subject, message, or viewpoint of the activity. The Library will respond promptly and identify any conditions or reasons for denial in writing.

  3. News Media
    Credentialed media may engage in casual handheld photography and filming under subsection 1. Credentials and advance authorization are not required unless the activity has the operational characteristics described in subsection 2.
    1. Advance coordination with the Director of Communications & Marketing is encouraged for interviews, staff assistance, nonpublic access, or equipment needs. Coordination does not permit access to confidential patron records or create special access to patrons.
C. Patron Privacy and Confidentiality
  1. Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 13-2-701 through -706 protects records retained by the Library that identify a patron as having requested, used, or obtained specific materials or services. No person may photograph or film circulation or account screens, reservation or registration information, reference transactions, computer screens, or materials in use in a manner that identifies another patron with specific materials, inquiries, searches, or services. Library staff will not disclose confidential library records or personally identifiable patron information except as permitted by law. When the law permits disclosure based on a patron’s consent, that consent must be informed and written.
  2. Before making an identifiable patron the subject of a photograph or recording, the camera operator must obtain that patron’s affirmative consent. The operator must make reasonable efforts to avoid close-up or sustained recording of nonparticipants and must stop focusing on or following an identifiable person who asks not to be recorded. Photography and filming are prohibited in restrooms, lactation rooms, staff-only areas, and other nonpublic areas designated for privacy or safety.
  3. Before making a minor child an identifiable subject, the camera operator must obtain affirmative permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian.
D. Reasonable Restrictions and Prohibited Conduct

The following restrictions apply only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect confidentiality, privacy, safety, access, non-disruption, or the intended use of Library spaces. Any exception or authorization will be evaluated under the objective standards in the policy and without regard to content or viewpoint:

  1. Recording in the private or nonpublic areas identified in Section C; recording confidential patron information; or operating drones or unmanned aerial devices without written authorization and compliance with applicable safety rules.
  2. Blocking or materially impeding entrances, exits, aisles, service points, collections, emergency routes, or accessible paths.
  3. Moving furniture, attaching equipment to Library property, occupying reserved space, or requiring patrons or staff to relocate without authorization.
  4. Using flash, lighting, amplified sound, cords, stands or other equipment when it creates material noise, glare, obstruction, or a safety hazard.
  5. Harassing, threatening, or unsafe conduct, or material interference with Library operations, programs, services, technology, staff duties, or another person’s Library use.
  6. Staged content, interviews, performances, pranks, or social media activity may be limited only when and to the extent the activity causes conduct prohibited by this policy; the subject or viewpoint of the activity is not a basis for restriction.
E. Library-Sponsored Photography

The Library may photograph or film programs, services, and facilities, including crowd, group, and incidental images at Library events, for identified educational, informational, promotional, news, or archival purposes. The Library may use an image without written consent when the image does not identify a person as having requested, used, or received specific Library materials and does not disclose confidential library records as that term is defined under Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 13-2-701 through 13-2-706.

Before publishing or otherwise disclosing an image that identifies a person’s confidential library records or that discloses confidential patron information, the Library must obtain informed, written consent. For a minor, that consent must be provided by the minor’s parent or legal guardian. The Library will use images only for the stated Library purposes and will not sell, license, or distribute identifiable patron images for unrelated third-party commercial use without the required informed, written consent.

F. Enforcement

Library staff may enforce this policy in a viewpoint-neutral manner. When feasible, staff will identify the specific conduct at issue and allow a reasonable opportunity to stop, relocate, or modify the activity. Immediate action may be taken to address a safety threat, privacy or confidentiality violation, material disruption, or obstruction. Removal or suspension of Library privileges will occur only under the Code of Conduct, applicable procedures, and law.

G. Contact Information
  1. For questions or authorization requests, submit the Photography & Filming Request Form.
  2. Media inquiries and requests should be directed to the Director of Communications & Marketing. Receipt or acknowledgement of a request is not approval; any required approval must be express and in writing from the Executive Director or a designee applying the standards in this policy.

Planning to photograph or film at the library? Please read the Photography & Filming policy and fill out the Photography & Filming Request Form.

Submit a request online or print out a physical copy and drop it off at a service desk.