[Genealib] camera use policies

[Susan Scouras]

After dealing with several irate patrons recently, we are reviewing our
camera use policy, which is actually a total ban.  I searched half a
dozen major university library and historical society library sites and
discovered that all but one of them allowed patrons to use cameras now.
All required patrons to sign a"personal usage only" statement with a
copyright disclaimer, most had statements that patrons could not move
furniture or stand on chairs (our chairs are all being re-upholstered as
I write), several specified that staff had to examine each item in
question and determine whether it could be photograhed, etc., etc.  I
cringed at the thought of having to burden our small staff with that
much more "stuff" to do.  While an outright ban makes our lives easier,
digital cameras and small scanners are not going to go away, and patrons
will want to use them, not only to save copy costs, but to obtain better
images.  (Many are taking the photocopies home and scanning them into
their computer files anyway.)  I liked the Houghton Library (Harvard)
policy of requiring a library "flag" to be included in each camera shot.
 
I am interested in hearing comments and/or receiving copies of camera
use policies from libraries with true archival collections that have
primary resource materials, including hand drawn maps, manuscripts, etc.
Unless an interest is expressed from the list, please reply directly to
me at susan.scouras at wvculture.org.  
 
Thanks,
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 
 
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