[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23232]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 20, 1994]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

36 CFR Part 702

[Docket No. LOC 94-2]

 

Photographing the Interior and Exterior of Library of Congress 
Buildings and Other Library Facilities

AGENCY: Library of Congress.

ACTION: Proposed rules.

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SUMMARY: The Library of Congress proposes to revise the conditions 
under which the interior and exterior of Library of Congress buildings 
may be filmed or photographed by groups such as news organizations and 
commercial or freelance film crews. This part will require all persons 
and groups, other than individuals who are photographing the exterior 
of the Library of Congress buildings for their own personal use, to 
obtain permission from the Library of Congress' Public Affairs Officer. 
This rule is being promulgated to protect archival records and donated 
historical materials maintained in all Library buildings; to enhance 
the safety of persons who use Library facilities, including 
researchers, exhibit patrons, and Government employees, and to prevent 
disruption both of the conduct of official business and of the timely 
provision of Library services to the general public.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before October 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Ten copies of written comments should be addressed, if sent 
by mail to: Library of Congress, Mail Code 1050, Washington, DC 20540. 
If delivered by hand, copies should be brought to: Office of the 
General Counsel, James Madison Memorial Building, Room LM-601, First 
and Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20540-1050, (202) 707-
6316.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Johnnie M. Barksdale, Regulations Officer, Office of the General 
Counsel, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-1050. Telephone No. 
(202) 707-1593.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 2 U.S.C. 136 and 167f, the Librarian 
of Congress is authorized to make rules and regulations for the 
government of the Library and may prescribe such regulations as may be 
deemed necessary for the adequate protection of the Library of Congress 
buildings and grounds and of persons and property therein, and for the 
maintenance of suitable order and decorum within the Library of 
Congress buildings and grounds. The Library of Congress proposes to 
issue this revised part to define the conditions under which filming 
and photographing of any Library of Congress building or facility is 
permissible by groups such as news organizations and commercial or 
freelance film crews. It also defines the Library's restrictions on 
access for commercial ventures and limitations on filmmakers and 
photographers.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 702

    Federal buildings and facilities, Libraries.

Proposed Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing the Library of Congress proposes 
to amend 36 CFR Part 702 as follows:

PART 702--CONDUCT ON LIBRARY PREMISES

    1. The authority citation for 36 CFR part 702 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 1, 29 Stat. 544, 546; 2 U.S.C. 136 and 167f.

    2. Section 702.5 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 702.5  Photographing the Interior and Exterior of Library of 
Congress Buildings and other Library facilities.

    (a) Purpose.
    This part states the Library's policy and conditions under which 
the interiors and exteriors of Library buildings as well as other 
Library facilities may be photographed by groups such as news 
organizations and commercial or freelance film crews.
    (b) Definitions.
    (1) Photograph or photographing means any method, including 
photography, filming, videotaping, or any such process of image 
reproduction.
    (2) Library of Congress buildings means those buildings on Capitol 
Hill which constitute the main Library complex as well as other 
facilities assigned to the Library.
    (c) General policy.
    (1) The Public Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, is authorized 
to grant permission to photograph Library buildings.
    (2) Those wishing to photograph a Library building shall request in 
writing permission from the Public Affairs Officer at least one week 
before the proposed photographic activity, except in extraordinary 
circumstances when the Public Affairs Officer makes an exception. The 
Public Affairs Officer may grant permission either in writing or by 
telephone.
    (3) In those instances when the Public Affairs Officer has granted 
permission, he or she shall notify the Protective Services Officer of 
the proposed activity.
    (d) Conditions and restrictions.
    (1) Photographing shall be permitted only for the purpose of 
providing background to stories about either the Library or a patron 
who has made use of the Library's holdings. Press interviews will not 
be permitted unless either Library or other government employees are 
being interviewed in connection with official business.
    (2) Permission to photograph shall not be granted to persons or 
groups wishing to promote commercial enterprises or commodities or to 
persons or groups involved with political, sectarian, or similar 
activities.
    (3) Photographing may not impede the ingress or egress of visitors 
or staff to any Library building.
    (4) Permission to photograph the exterior of a Library building 
does not constitute approval or sponsorship by the Library of the 
persons or groups involved, of their activities or views, or of the 
uses to which the works depicting a Library building are put.
    (5) Permission to photograph does not release the persons or groups 
involved from liability for injuries to persons or property that result 
from their activities on Library property.
    (6) Persons and groups must be accompanied at all times by a member 
of the Public Affairs Office or Library staff when in any Library 
building.
    (7) Interview with Library staff and researchers shall take place 
only in areas designated by Public Affairs Office or Library staff.
    (8) Approved photography sessions shall normally be limited to two 
hours.
    (9) The policy set out herein does not apply to individuals who are 
photographing the exterior of Library of Congress buildings for their 
own personal purposes and do not interfere with ingress or egress of 
visitors or staff.

    Dated: September 14, 1994.
James H. Billington,
The Librarian of Congress.
[FR Doc. 94-23232 Filed 9-19-94; 8:45 am]
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