Legal Status This site displays a prototype of a “Web 2.0” version of the daily
Federal Register. It is not an official legal edition of the Federal
Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official
electronic version on GPO’s govinfo.gov.

The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal
Register documents. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the
corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. This prototype edition of the
daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial
informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal
Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status.
For complete information about, and access to, our official publications
and services, go to About the Federal Register on NARA's archives.gov.

The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable
regulatory information on FederalRegister.gov with the objective of
establishing the XML-based Federal Register as an ACFR-sanctioned
publication in the future. While every effort has been made to ensure that
the material on FederalRegister.gov is accurately displayed, consistent with
the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for
legal research should verify their results against an official edition of
the Federal Register. Until the ACFR grants it official status, the XML
rendition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov does not
provide legal notice to the public or judicial notice to the courts.

Legal Status

Rule

Photography on Library Premises

A Rule by the Library of Congress on 03/19/2026

• 1.

1.

• Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agency Library of Congress Agency/Docket Number Docket No. 2026-01 CFR 36 CFR 702 Document Citation 91 FR 13224 Document Number 2026-05430 Document Type Rule Pages 13224-13225
  (2 pages) Publication Date 03/19/2026 Published Content - Document Details

• PDF Official Content

  • View printed version (PDF) Official Content

• Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agency Library of Congress Agency/Docket Number Docket No. 2026-01 CFR 36 CFR 702 Document Citation 91 FR 13224 Document Number 2026-05430 Document Type Rule Pages 13224-13225
  (2 pages) Publication Date 03/19/2026 Published Content - Document Details

• Document Dates Published Content - Document Dates Effective Date 2026-03-19 Dates Text Effective March 19, 2026. Published Content - Document Dates

• Table of Contents Enhanced Content - Table of Contents This table of contents is a navigational tool, processed from the
  headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents.
  This repetition of headings to form internal navigation links
  has no substantive legal effect.

  • AGENCY:
  • ACTION:
  • SUMMARY:
  • DATES:
  • FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
  • SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
  • List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 702
  • Final Regulation
  • PART 702—CONDUCT ON LIBRARY PREMISES Enhanced Content - Table of Contents

• Public Comments Enhanced Content - Public Comments This feature is not available for this document.

Enhanced Content - Public Comments
- Regulations.gov Data Enhanced Content - Regulations.gov Data Additional information is not currently available for this document.

Enhanced Content - Regulations.gov Data

- Sharing Enhanced Content - Sharing Shorter Document URL https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-05430 Email Email this document to a friend Enhanced Content - Sharing

• Print Enhanced Content - Print
  • Print this document Enhanced Content - Print
• Other Formats Enhanced Content - Other Formats This document is also available in the following formats:

JSON Normalized attributes and metadata XML Original full text XML MODS Government Publishing Office metadata More information and documentation can be found in our developer tools pages.

Enhanced Content - Other Formats
- Public Inspection Public Inspection This PDF is FR Doc. 2026-05430 as it appeared on Public Inspection on
03/18/2026 at 8:45 am.

It was viewed
31
times while on Public Inspection.

If you are using public inspection listings for legal research, you
should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official
edition of the Federal Register. Only official editions of the
Federal Register provide legal notice of publication to the public and judicial notice
to the courts under 44 U.S.C. 1503 & 1507. Learn more here.

Public Inspection
Published Document: 2026-05430 (91 FR 13224) This document has been published in the Federal Register. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format.

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain
the following:

1. the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
2. the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to
3. the agency docket number / agency internal file number
4. the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details.

Library of Congress

1. 36 CFR Part 702
2. [Docket No. 2026-01]

AGENCY:

Library of Congress.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Library of Congress is issuing this final rule to amend its regulations regarding photography on Library premises. This amendment updates terminology, institutes a permit process for posed, staged, or otherwise directed or organized photography (now defined in the regulation as “formal photography for personal use”), and clarifies the types of photography that require permission from the Director of Communications.

DATES:

Effective March 19, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Terri Humphries, Special Assistant, Library of Congress Office of the General Counsel, (202) 707-6316, thum@loc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Librarian of Congress is authorized to make regulations with respect to the Library of Congress (2 U.S.C. 136). Since neither the Federal Register Act nor the Administrative Procedure Act has binding effect on the legislative branch, the Library of Congress is not required to publish its regulations in the CFR. However, because the purpose of the CFR is to “notify industry, general business, and the people” (Toledo, P & W.R.R. v. Stover, 60 F. Supp. 587 (S.D. Ill. 1945)), it is appropriate for the Library to continue publishing those regulations which affect the rights and responsibilities of, and restrictions on, the public.

The Library of Congress is responsible for establishing standards and regulations for the physical security, control, and preservation of Library collections and property, and for the maintenance of suitable order and decorum within the Library of Congress (2 U.S.C. 141b).

Consistent with that responsibility, the Library is amending this regulation to enhance the safety of persons who use Library facilities, to protect Library collections and property, and to prevent disruption of the conduct of official business and of the timely and effective provision of Library services. This amendment updates terminology, institutes a permit process for posed, staged, or otherwise directed or organized photography (now defined in the regulation as “formal photography for personal use”), and clarifies the types of photography that require permission from the Director of Communications.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 702

• Libraries
• Federal buildings and facilities

Final Regulation

In consideration of the foregoing, the Library of Congress amends 36 CFR part 702 as follows:

PART 702—CONDUCT ON LIBRARY PREMISES

1. The authority citation for part 702 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Sec. 1, 29 Stat. 544; 2 U.S.C. 136.

1. Section 702.4 is revised to read:

§ 702.4 Photographs. (a) Scope. This section establishes rules for photography on Library of Congress premises. The section applies to all photography, videography, and filming activities through any device or technology.

(b) Directions. All photography on Library premises must comply with all posted signs and rules of behavior that the Library may prescribe and all persons involved in the photography must comply with all directions from Library personnel and U.S. Capitol Police personnel.

(c) Definitions. (1) For purposes of this section:

Formal photography for personal use includes posed or staged individual or group portrait sessions, engagement or wedding photography, modeling shoots, graduation or other special occasion photography, non-commercial content creation, or any other photography involving directing or organizing subjects. The photographer may be paid or unpaid. The resulting photographs are for personal, non-commercial use.

Informal photography for personal use is spontaneous casual tourist photography of the kind a typical visitor engages in and does not involve any supplemental equipment. The resulting photographs are for personal, non-commercial use.

Supplemental equipment is any photography enhancement equipment beyond the single device capturing the images. It includes, but is not limited to: any form of supplemental lighting, light sources, modifiers, stands; handheld or other external microphones, recording, or sound equipment; props, costumes, backdrops; tripods or other devices that rest on surfaces or permit separation between the photographer and the photographic equipment; or any other specialized or professional equipment.

(2) The determination of whether photography is “formal,” “informal,” or “spontaneous” as used in this section is at the sole discretion of the Library.

(d) Formal photography for personal use. Formal photography for personal use is permitted only during specific times and in specific locations that the Library may prescribe. Individuals or groups wishing to engage in formal photography for personal use must request a permit through the Library's photography permitting system. The Director of the Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement, or designee, is authorized to grant or deny permission for formal photography for personal use and may set the conditions under which the photography may take place, including limited use of supplemental equipment. Photography sessions may be subject to cancellation by the Library for reasons including, but not limited to, closure of Library buildings for ( printed page 13225) inclement weather, maintenance or security emergencies, or special events. Library users can request a permit at: www.loc.gov/​visit/​photosessions.

(e) Informal photography for personal use. Informal photography for personal use does not require a permit or specific permission, provided that all such photography must be conducted consistent with § 702.2 and other applicable regulations in this part.

(f) Spontaneous photography of matters of public concern. Spontaneous photography of matters of public concern does not require a permit or specific permission, provided that all such photography must be conducted consistent with § 702.2 and other applicable regulations in this part.

(g) All other photography. All other photography requires specific permission from the Library of Congress Office of Communications. This includes, but is not limited to, photography for commercial, promotional, or news purposes via television, online, or other media channels; photography involving significant supplemental equipment; or any photography involving use of the Library name, seal, logo, staff, or collections. Requests for permission must be made at least one week prior to the proposed photography. The Director of Communications, or designee, is authorized to grant or deny permission and may set the conditions under which the photography may take place, including conditions for cancellation. Contact the Office of Communications at news@loc.gov.

(h) Violations —(1) Immediate termination. The Library is authorized to immediately terminate any photography on Library premises that disrupts or interferes with other people's safety or access to Library buildings or collections, or otherwise violates this part.

(2) Barment. Any individuals or groups who violate any provision of this section may be subject to the penalties described in § 702.14, including removal from Library premises and prohibition from further use of Library facilities.

Dated: March 12, 2026.

Robert R. Newlen,

Acting Librarian of Congress.

[FR Doc. 2026-05430 Filed 3-18-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 1410-10-P

Published Document: 2026-05430 (91 FR 13224)