Des Moines Public Library

"Are you taking pictures? Do not take pictures in here." the librarian said as soon as we walked into the library. I felt a little bad, but I took a few photos anyways.

To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and
install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player.

Comments

Mike McCaffrey says:

Umm... aren't you allowed to take photos in public buildings? What reason could they have for you not to take photos?
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

bryanboyer says:

is this the new one by David Chipperfield?

No pictures in a public library? that is stupid.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Yes, it's the Chipperfield building! Really nice building sort of uninterestingly filled with books.

She said we could talk to the lady in marketing on the third floor about photography permission. We didn't. Maybe I'll go back over there today and have a chat with her.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

jbroome says:

Can't you give her the secret librarian handshake and make everything go away?
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

bryanboyer says:

you know, I don't agree with it when an institution like a private museum says you can't take pictures but I can sort of understand it* since they probably want to sell you some trinkets.

but for public institutions like a library there is really no reasonable reason for denying you the right to take pictures. certainly you're not stealing any potential funds from the library by taking some pictures. is it for security? I sure hope not...

if you do talk to the marketing person, you should ask them to google/flickr search for Seattle Public Library and see the immense load of results that come back celebrating their investment in superior architecture. after spending so much money on a Chipperfield building I am surprised they don't want to flaunt it!

*as an architect it is especially annoying when people deny the right to take pictures. I'm usually interested in some tiny detail that will never ever show up in any book or magazine. I've gotten good at sneaking pictures.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

jessamyn says:

I wrote the director and the marketing and tech people about why they have this policy and where I can find it. Will see what they say.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

jessamyn says:

Got an interesting response from them [upshot: they've got a weird policy but they're nice people] and I'll post it once I'm home from Iowa.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

jessamyn says:

Text of email exchange here. So strange.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

bryanboyer says:

I don't know what's more disappointing: that Chipperfield asked them to disallow photos or that the Library complied.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

bryanboyer says:

@jessamyn: this issue has generated a bit of discussion at archinect as well, FYI.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

jessamyn says:

I dropped Chipperfield a note via his website, I'll mention if I hear back from him.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

ricklibrarian says:

Funny, I was asked to put my camera away in Iowa City a few years ago. Of course, I had already taken a number of arty pictures at that point. I didn't waste them. We like photographers at Thomas Ford. We figure we get free promotion.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

jessamyn says:

Hey looks like they may make some changes to the policy after all!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

PrairieHaus says:

Wouldn't surprise me if they don't want photos because of defective windows that keep cracking:

www.glassonweb.com/news/index/7212/
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

flyingember says:

I believe the general agreement is that when you're allowed in a public place you are allowed to take photos.

The location's options are:
- to not allow you in/remove you from the location
- to take your camera and be materially responsible for it or refuse to allow you to have it there. some phone models have a no camera option for this reason. courthouses take items with a ticket like cameras and phones and hold onto it

If you want a good recent example of the latter, several Sarah Palin events have banned cameras, cell phones and the like since it's the only legal way they can stop any sort of recording.

As well, someone being in a public place does not give them a right to privacy as it's a public place. There are exceptions for items like upskirt/downblouse, restrooms, zooming in on medical documents and the like. The other big one is taking a photo and using it for a fake testimonial. Children are not given special treatment from the above but it's generally bad practice to post full names.

www.andrewkantor.com/2005-12/legal-rights-of- photographers/
this is a good beginning source
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Would you like to comment?

[?]

	jessamyn's photostream
		7,694 uploads

2 people call this photo a favorite

Additional Information

Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Uploaded using Flickr Uploadr 3.0 (Mac)
Taken with a Canon PowerShot SD960 IS.
More properties
Taken on October 22, 2009
Viewed 701 times

Add to your map

Yay location removed

...

(Some formats are OK.)

Or, remove it from the map.

Go to the map

You	Sign in \| Create Your Free Account
Explore	Places \| Last 7 Days \| This Month \| Popular Tags \| The Commons \| Creative Commons \| Search
Help	Community Guidelines \| The Help Forum \| FAQ \| Sitemap \| Get Help

Des Moines Public Library

Comments

Mike McCaffrey says:

bryanboyer says:

jessamyn says:

jbroome says:

bryanboyer says:

jessamyn says:

jessamyn says:

jessamyn says:

bryanboyer says:

bryanboyer says:

jessamyn says:

ricklibrarian says:

jessamyn says:

PrairieHaus says:

flyingember says:

Would you like to comment?

jessamyn's photostream

Tags

Additional Information