About
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Policies and Guidelines
- Overview
- Access to Library Resources and Services
- Bulletin Board Policy
- Cooperative Access Arrangements
- Drop-Off Book Donation Policy
- Exhibitions Policy
- Filming and Photographing in Library Facilities
- Meeting Rooms Policy
- Open Discovery Initiative (ODI)
- Privacy Policy
- Rutgers University Libraries Collection Development Philosophy
- Rutgers University Libraries Collection Development Policy
- Tabling Guidelines
- User Conduct and Security
Filming and Photographing in Library Facilities
Rutgers University Libraries endorse and promote the Filming and Photography on Campus guidelines created by University Communications and Marketing. According to these guidelines, all activities involving filming, video recording, and photography on campus must:
- not disrupt university operations,
- safeguard the integrity of the university, and
- be in line with Rutgers’ mission.
Requests from Rutgers units and departments are processed and approved by the Libraries. All other requests—including but not limited to requests from external individuals and organizations, Rutgers students and student groups, alumni, and individual faculty or staff members, must be approved both by the Libraries’ administration and by the appropriate location coordinator for Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Rutgers University–Newark, Rutgers University–Camden, or Rutgers Health.
Anyone requesting to film, record video, or photograph in a library should first contact the Libraries’ communications department at communications@libraries.rutgers.edu. If additional steps are needed, the Libraries’ communications department can provide the appropriate guidance.
Important Photo Release Notice
Anyone filming, recording video, or photographing in the library must either:
- obtain signed photo/video release forms from all identifiable individuals captured in the footage, or
- clearly post signage in visible locations at all entrances to the filming area indicating that photography or filming is in progress. The signage must include the date and time of the activity and should state that by entering the area, individuals consent to being photographed or recorded.
Rutgers’ standard photo/video release forms can be downloaded on the Communicating about Rutgers website.
Graduation Photography
Rutgers University Libraries receive numerous requests from students wishing to take graduation photos in our buildings. These requests convey that the Libraries play a positive role in student life at Rutgers, and that students have many positive memories of the Libraries.
Students may take graduation photos in the Libraries without prior permission from the Libraries’ administration, provided they follow these guidelines:
- No graduation photos are permitted inside the Libraries during reading days or final exams.
- Photography inside the Libraries must last no longer than 15 minutes and involve a single handheld camera. Longer photo shoots or those involving more extensive equipment must follow the “professional photography for personal use” guidelines below.
- Photography at any library exterior is welcome, provided that neither entrances nor exits are impeded at any time.
- All photo shoots are subject to the photo release requirements outlined above.
Professional Photography for Personal Use
The Libraries consider photography requests for personal use (e.g., graduation photos, head shots), as “professional photography” when they involve photo shoots longer than 15 minutes and/or requiring any equipment beyond a single handheld camera.
Such requests require permission from the Libraries’ administration and must follow the guidelines below. These guidelines are different from the Rutgers Filming and Photography on Campus guidelines that must be followed by anyone filming or photographing in the Libraries for commercial or public media use. (To initiate a commercial or public filming or photography request, contact the Libraries’ communications department at communications@libraries.rutgers.edu for further guidance.)
The guidelines for professional photography intended for personal use (e.g., graduation photos, head shots) are as follows:
- Professional photography for personal use can only be scheduled after final exams have concluded or during summer or winter breaks.
- Any individual wishing to schedule a professional photo shoot inside the Libraries during these timeframes must send an email request at least 14 days in advance to communications@libraries.rutgers.edu. These requests must not disrupt library operations or academic activity; must be in line with the Libraries’ mission, aspirations, and values; and will be granted at the discretion of the Libraries’ administration.
- Photography at any library exterior is welcome, provided that neither entrances nor exits are impeded at any time.
- All photo shoots are subject to the photo release requirements outlined above.
Responsibility for Damage to Library Property
Anyone using the Libraries for these purposes must agree to return the locations used to the condition they were in prior to use. Users who cause damage to library property are responsible for compensating the Libraries for the full cost of repairing such damage.
Adherence to Library Staff Instructions
Users of the Libraries’ facilities for these purposes must comply with directions from library staff. Directions from library staff could include, for instance, a request to leave the library once your 15 minutes are up, a request to keep voices down, or a request to return books and furniture to their original location.