Are You Using Library Photos Legally?

Lots of you out there take photographs at your library events. Some of you go on to use them in your newsletters, on your websites, on Flickr pages, in press releases, etc. Seems like using pictures of events to celebrate your success or to promote other events is a good idea. But not so fast...

Did you know that using pictures that include recognizable people can be illegal?

Do you think you're covered if you get signed consent forms?

To set the record straight, I commissioned an article that just came out in the latest issue of Marketing Library Services. Called "Laws for Using Photos You Take at Your Library," it was written by Bryan Carson, who's a librarian and a lawyer.

This is an article that all librarians should read right away to make sure they're working within the law. (I'd say this even if someone else published it, really!) I won't try to summarize it here because you really need to see all of Carson's legal details. Here's one important statement from it, though:

"It is clearly a violation of the right of publicity to use photographs from library programs in order to market or advertise the library or to call attention to future programming."

Run, don't walk to my publisher's website to read this one! Then let me know what you think. I hope you find it useful.