HomeMy Public PortalAboutmay2015 yearbookLibrary Director
Leone E. Cole
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Library Board of Trustees
Leone E. Cole, Library Director
May 1, 2015
Yearbook request
I have had a request from someone to remove/block their photo and information in one of the high
school yearbooks that we have published online. I contacted the Town Attorney for advice on this
matter and received this response:
"We have reviewed the potential privacy considerations relative to republication of a yearbook on the
library's website. In our opinion, republication of yearbooks does not invoke privacy concerns since
material that was initially lawfully published does not become invasive of someone's privacy rights
simply because it is republished electronically. However, as previously noted, we recommend that the
Library block a particular photograph or information regarding a specific individual upon their request
provided that such requests are responded to in a consistent manner."
I did speak with Mr. Reich on the phone as he wanted to know if it was technically possible to block a
photo and how easy or hard that would be. We are able to do it relatively easily.
1 would like some policy guidance on this issue. If we grant this request, then we will have to do it for
everyone who asks. This is the first request, and we probably won't be overrun with requests to block
photos or other information, but we need to take that into consideration as well.
123 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472-4478
617.972.6434 watertownlib.org