Public Photography in the Public Library?

On January 19, I had five minutes to present to the Hamilton Public Library Board my view that their existing photo policy was overly draconian, especially since I considered the library a public space. Afterwards, the Board decided not to change its policy but to make its forms more available to the public.

Below is the text of my presentation.

Presentation

adies and Gentlemen. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to you this evening. I am presenting as a photographer, as a citizen journalist and as a citizen.

I recently had the experience of being prevented from taking pictures in the Hamilton Public Library by a librarian and a security guard.

This is, unfortunately, becoming a more frequent occurrence in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and worldwide. Photographers are being harassed, prevented and questioned by security guards and police, simply because they took photographs of buildings or of citizens in public places.

Photography is Not a Crime

his should not be the case. Photography is not a crime.

In Canada, photographers are free to take photographs of whatever, whomever, whenever we like in public spaces for non-commercial purposes.

Citizens in parks, on streets etc. do not have, or should not have, a reasonable expectation of privacy. They are in public. I would argue the same for someone at a work station in the midst of a well-lit, glass-walled public library.

However, the library and I disagree that the Hamilton Public Library - despite its name, public mandate and public funding - is a public space. Let us, for the moment, set that aside.

Right now, in order to take photographs in the library a visitor must get permission from the communications department, outline the reason why he or she wishes to take photos, schedule when the photo will be taken, and indicate how the photos are going to be used.

Public space or not, I would argue this is an overly draconian, unproductive, outdated and ultimately unenforceable measure. I am here to encourage you to amend it.