Photography and Video Policy
Purpose
The Tinley Park Public Library has a significant interest in maintaining an environment that allows patrons to freely access library information and resources. This significant interest requires the Library to maintain policies that protect the privacy of its patrons and staff members and ensures their freedom from harassment, intimidation, and threats to their safety and well-being. In order to provide appropriate safeguards against such behavior and enforce policies and procedures addressing that behavior when it occurs, the Library has adopted the following policy regarding the taking of photographs or videos inside the Library building.
General Policy
Photography and video recording are permitted in public areas of the Library and on Library grounds where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, consistent with Illinois law, except where such activity interferes with Library operations, patron use, or safety. Permission is not required for taking photographs or videos in public areas of the Library building for personal, noncommercial use if no tripods, lights, or other specialized equipment is used.
Photography, videography, or recording is prohibited in areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to restrooms, nursing areas, and changing areas. Illinois law prohibits recording or transmitting video of a person in a private setting without consent. Any recording that violates State law is prohibited on Library property.
Taking photographs or videos of, or in, areas reserved for staff only use is prohibited. The use of additional equipment, such as tripods or lighting are not permitted because of safety, liability and other issues, unless previously approved by the Library Director.
Persons taking photographs and videos shall not compromise a patron or staff member’s right to privacy, harass, intimidate, or threaten a patron or staff member, or block aisles, walkways, stairwells, doors, or exits. Under no circumstances may the public or members of the media take photographs, videotape or live stream without the express permission of any Library patrons who would be prominently included within the composition. Persons taking photographs and videos shall not compromise an individual patron’s right to receive information free from harassment, intimidation, or threats to their safety, well-being, and privacy rights. Capturing identifiable likenesses of individuals or their computer screens, books, documents, or other materials and registration and circulation records, without their consent, should be avoided. Persons taking photographs and/or videos shall not violate these or any other rules, regulations, or ordinances of the Library, trespass into non-public spaces, become physically violent, or be unreasonably disruptive to an employee’s ability to serve patrons. Photography or videography may be limited either by time constraints or to specific areas depending upon such impact or effect such sessions could have upon other Library patrons. If any patron that will be photographed or videotaped is under eighteen (18) years of age, permission must be obtained by the photographer or videographer from a parent or adult guardian on behalf of said minor child.
Exterior Photography and Videos
Taking photographs and videos outside of the Library building and/or of the Library grounds does not require permission. However, the activity may not impede the ingress or egress of patrons or staff to or from the Library building.
Commercial Photography and Videos
Photography or videography conducted for commercial purposes, including advertising, marketing, or promotional use, requires prior written permission from the Library Director. Individuals are responsible for obtaining any necessary releases from identifiable subjects.
Photography and Videos of Materials and Resources
The Library permits the taking of photographs and videos of its publicly-available collections. However, patrons are solely responsible for obtaining consent or other permission when taking photographs or videos of copyrighted materials.
Library-produced Photography and Video
The Library may take photos, videos, and audio recordings at the Library and during Library events to use in its publicity materials and on its website and social media sites. The Library reserves the right to document its services and the public’s use of the Library building and grounds. These photographs, videos, and audio recordings may be copied, displayed, televised, and published (including on any Library web site or social media site). Any individual that does not wish the Library to use a photograph or video of them or their child should inform a Library staff member prior to or while such photographs or videos are being taken.
Library Board Meetings
Pursuant to Section 120/2.05 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.), any person may record the proceedings of the Library Board and other meetings required by the Act to be open to the public. The recordings may be made by tape, film or other means and shall not disrupt the meeting or create a safety hazard.
Liability and Copyright Responsibility
Persons involved in taking photographs or videos are solely liable for any injuries to persons or property that result from their activities on Library property. They also have sole responsibility for obtaining all necessary releases and permissions required by law from persons who can be identified in any photograph or video or for copyrighted materials. The Library undertakes no responsibility for obtaining these releases or permissions.
Right Subject to Compliance with Policy
The Library reserves the right to ask any individual or group violating this policy to cease the taking of photographs or videos. The Library Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding photography and filming within the Library, and is authorized to enforce the limitations on photography or videography by individuals whose activities interfere with Library environment or operations, adversely affect public safety, cause public disturbances or are otherwise in violation of this Policy.
Appeal and Review
The Board of Trustees of the Library will review this policy periodically and reserves the right to modify, amend or supplement it at any time. The Board authorizes the Library Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances.
Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of this Policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Library Director in writing. The Library Director will respond in writing.
Board Approved 5/22/19
Revised 3/25/2026