WHEREAS the board of the Morrisville Public Library recognizes the requirement of the NY State Open Meetings Law to allow the public to photograph, broadcast, and webcast its open public meetings; and
WHEREAS, Section 103(2) of the Open Meetings Law allows public bodies to adopt rules about the location of equipment and personnel used to photograph broadcast webcast or otherwise record a public meeting;
BE IT RESOLVED that the board of trustees of the Morrisville Public Library adopts the attached rules per Section 103(2) of the Open Meetings Law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as required by law, such rules shall be posted at the location of each meeting and included in the agenda posted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting so the public attending can have notice of and abide by such rules.
RULES
Consistent with the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, attendees at open public meetings of the board of trustees are allowed to photograph, broadcast, webcast and otherwise record those portions of the meeting not in executive session.
To ensure such authorized activity does not disrupt the smooth and safe operation of a trustee meeting, and consistent with Section 103-a of the Open Meetings Law, the following “Rules” shall be posted at the location of each meeting and included on the posted agenda:No extension cords or other potential tripping hazards may be set up;No flash photography or additional lighting may be used;No recording instrument shall be closer than 3 feet of a meeting participant, without that person’s express consent;All equipment should be silent enough to not cause a disruption;Equipment must not block aisles or exit and may not impede the view of other attendees;
The privilege to record in this manner at the library is limited to open meetings of the board. When enforcing this rule with regards to the manner of recording, the Morrisville Public Library board of trustees shall ensure that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and Article I, Section 8 of the New York constitution are honored.
Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees on May 19, 2022
