Public Use of Library Grounds

The public areas of the Morrisville Public Library, including both the facility and grounds, are a limited public forum. As such, the Library may create reasonable rules and regulations to maintain the proper use of its property within lawful boundaries.

The public sidewalk near the Library property is a traditional public forum and may be subject to content-neutral and reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The following policy is for the express purpose of maintaining orderly management and control of all Library grounds to create a safe, respectful, and appropriate environment for all patrons.

The Library reserves the reasonable use of its facilities. The following activities are not permitted inside the Library unless expressly required to conduct library business; however, the following activities may be conducted outside on Library grounds in accordance with the general policy set forth in this document.

1. The following activities are prohibited inside the Library, but may be permitted, where reasonable, outside the facility or on public sidewalks:
a. Distribution of leaflets, flyers, or other written publications;
b. Distribution and circulation of petitions to collect signatures;
c. Public demonstrations;
d. Verbal communication conveying information other than library business.

2. The public activities listed above must remain 25 feet from all entrances to the Library. Such activities must not interfere or restrict patron access to the Library facilities or grounds at any time, regardless of distance from the entrances.

3. Please note that there is no exception of privacy outside the Library building, such as on a public sidewalk; therefore, audio or video recording by one citizen of another citizen, with or without consent, is a permissible activity and outside of the Library’s scope of regulation.

4. Public solicitation of funds is prohibited on Library property.

5. Signs posted outdoors on of library property must be approved by the Library Board of Trustees.
a. Requests should be filed with the Library Manager and will be brought to the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
b. People requesting a sign should plan at least 2 months ahead to acquire board approval.
c. No political signs will be allowed. No signs promoting private businesses or the sale of goods and services will be allowed.
i. The Morrisville Public Library Board of Trustees will usually approve signs from nonprofits that receive federal or state funding.
d. The Board has the right to deny any signage requests.
e. All other yard signs are prohibited on Library property. Signs posted on Library grounds without the Board’s approval will be removed and disposed of by the Library Manager.
f. Approved signs can be displayed for a maximum of 10 days before the program or event date and must be removed by the person or group responsible for placing the sign no later than one day after the event.
g. Signs promoting library sponsored programs and/or developed by the Library Manager or designee will be allowed without Board approval.
i. People or groups who use the program room are not allowed to post a sign without the Board’s approval. (See above.)
h. This sign approval process is only in effect during regular operating conditions. The Library Manager can act/approve a sign in emergency circumstances. Camping and overnight parking on Library property are not permitted.

Adopted September 17, 2024

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