I have had a Flickr account for a number of years. Originally, I set it up as a back up for my photos, after losing a number of them when my computer crashed. Now, I like it for that purpose as well as in having a place where I can share photos with my friends and family.
Although I was intrigued by the narrators compelling reasons in the Common Craft video, Online Photo Sharing in Plain English, for making ones photos Public, I believe I will still keep my pictures private, to be shared with only family and friends. I have a lot of pictures of my little girl in my account, and there are just too many sickos out there.
Even more interesting in this weeks "Thing" was the blog from librarian.net [http://www.librarian.net/stax/3053/leaving-des-moines/] about the problems she ran into when taking pictures at the Des Moines Public Library. The comments after her blog were especially intriguing and made me really think. As I sit in a public library typing this (as a patron), I don't think I would feel comfortable if some stranger came around and started taking pictures of me, but I also understand wanting to take pictures of a beautiful library. The feedback from different architects weighing in on the issue was also intriguing.
I can see the use of having a public Flikr account for one's library. If I did it, I would create a separate Flikr account for that use, I would not tie it to my personal account. Since I work as a school librarian however, in order to do such a thing, I would need to get a lot of permissions to do it. Principal, superintendent, parents, most likely the Board of Education. I'm wondering how many of my peers have gone through all this yet, and if they find it worth the effort?
Most schools anymore have a policy regarding photos so check to see what it is. They tend to be something like photos with first names ok, unless the parent has signed a "do not consent" form - names would be in your office.
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