“Hey,” someone shouted at me.
“Hey! You!”
I turned around and saw a red faced man wearing a bright blue vest, which identified him as library staff. He looked like Michael Moore because of his glasses and the fat belly, but he sounded twangy.
“Who gave you permission to take photos?” He barked.
“Oh. Do I need permission?” I asked.
“Yes in fact you do, you need my permission before you take photos inside the library, and you haven’t asked me, so you shouldn’t be taking photos.”
I was shocked into silence. The conversation went on for a bit, and it ended badly.
“Well next time you want to take photos you need permission,” he said.
“Don’t worry, next time I’ll ask for sure!”
“There won’t be a next time.”
“Oh.”
§
As I walked out of the building he followed me to make sure of something. I don’t know what.
I still can’t believe a librarian yelled at me! Now I have to avoid the library until I recover my ‘I can do anything because I’m free’ ignorance.
I only wanted a picture of the library so I remember what it looks like.
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11 responses so far ↓
1 sue // Jan 22, 2008 at 6:17 am
well that man is wrong, if it’s in nz & it’s a public library and he can’t stop you
2 Mom // Jan 22, 2008 at 7:32 am
I see someone let the assholes of the world loose again. Unfortuantely, you just can’t give some people any authority because they generally run with it. He undoubtedly felt that he owned the building.
3 Jeffrey // Jan 22, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Sue - yea I thought as much. I’ll just wait to see what the council says.
Mom - yup. I wasn’t angry because I couldn’t take photos, more so because his tone was condescending.
4 Orange Girl // Jan 22, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I’m a qualified librarian (yikes) and I remember sitting in one of the first classes for my Masters where we were specifically told not to be condescending. Not that I’m a practising librarian, but on behalf of them all, I apologise. Perhaps I might bring you some baking …
5 Jeffrey // Jan 22, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Thanks OG
He was miserable, he could have said “Photographs aren’t allowed in the library” but instead he was accusatory, as if by taking pictures I was antagonizing him.
Baking always makes me feel better!
6 zef // Jan 22, 2008 at 3:12 pm
As a TV cameraperson (back in the 90s) I was often shouted at! As far as I know the law is you can shoot in a public place (publicly owned, not a private building with public access such as a cafe). You can even shoot pictures of a private place so long as you’re doing it from public property (i.e. the street) - this is likely to really piss some people off though. Always best to ask permission - esp. if in a building. Sounds like that man overreacted though - they might think you’re planning to steal all the books…
7 Jeffrey // Jan 22, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I don’t know why I didn’t think to ask for permission. It just never occured to me… I thought the law was on my side but I’m not sure, which is why I wrote a letter to the council to see if the man was out of line. Maybe he was just having a bad day.
8 Shannon // Jan 23, 2008 at 9:42 am
Remember when that homeless guy got mad at you for giving him money and you were stunned into silence? This story reminded me of that… I’m actually proud of you for pissing off a librarian, that takes talent.
9 Jeffrey // Jan 23, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Well it didn’t require much effort. I remember that guy too, and then he threw the change at my head. That hurt.
10 em // Jan 30, 2008 at 10:46 am
What an ass. Seriously. I would have been all, “Look, Mr. Adult-Onset Diabetes, you don’t need to take that tone with me. I honestly didn’t know. Have you ever heard of being nice? I don’t think your bosses would appreciate the tone you’re taking with me.”
I’m afraid that living in the city for four years has made me cruel. At the same time, I’m happy to report that it’s made me a fuckin’ badass.
11 Jeffrey // Jan 30, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Yea, Wellington’s not like a normal city. It’s a bit smaller. Do you have that “I’m so fucking busy don’t even try to ask me for money you hobo” walk on the way to work? I was good at that.
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