It is the practice of the Metropolitan Library System to offer designated exterior space to allow lawful gatherings, signature-gathering or demonstrations. These outdoor spaces are not considered meeting rooms and are not subject to the Library’s meeting room policies.

Procedures

The Library is mandated by federal and state law to permit individuals to use outdoor spaces on Library property to gather signatures, display hand-held signs, pass out fliers, and engage in other expressive activities protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, so long as the passage of library users to and from the facility is not impeded. These users shall be referred to collectively as “petitioners.”

Based on the physical configuration of a library's entrance and the need to maintain unimpeded patron access and egress, petitioners must be located not less than 25 feet away from the entrance of the library to ensure that customers have unimpeded access to the building. Additionally, petitioners may not block traffic or parking.  The Library will not provide tables or chairs.

Petitioners shall be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis without regard to the content of their communication. Individuals may not gather signatures, display hand-held signs, or pass out fliers in the interior areas of the library.

View diagrams for every Library location.