Wayland Free Public Library

Policy on Distributing, Soliciting and Posting

A major role of the public library is that of community activity and information center.  In performing this role, the library may provide bulletin boards, distribute print material on local events, courses, programs, and in general serve as a disseminator of information.  This type of information differs from the library’s formal collection of print and nonprint holdings.  It is often ephemeral and time-sensitive.

The trustees and library administration have established the following policies in order that the Wayland Library perform the role of information disseminator in a satisfactory manner.

  1. Forms and flyers may be left at the library for events sponsored by government, nonprofit and private sector educational, cultural and recreational organizations.
  2. Given our limited bulletin board area, all postings must be made and removed by library staff.
  3. Display space may not be used by for–profit groups, companies, organizations or individuals. Commercial advertising, solicitations and business cards may not be posted.
  4. Inquiries regarding events and activities described in materials distributed must be directed to the sponsors of the events, programs, etc., not to the library staff.
  5. Individuals soliciting signatures for political petitions or nomination papers may not actively approach people in the library building.  Library staff will designate a location in the library building where people soliciting signatures may sit with documents to be signed.  Nomination papers and political petitions may not be left unattended in the library for signatures as that might be construed as using public funds to support a candidate or issue
  6. Local organization newsletters, course announcements and listings of town and school programs may also be left at the library for distribution as space permits.
  7. Copies of free newsletters and newspapers may be left for distribution at the library as space permits.
  8. Library policy in this area supports a philosophy of inclusiveness.  As space permits, most pamphlets and similar materials may be left for distribution.  However, the library will not be responsible for materials left at the library and reserves the right to discard any unsolicited publications that are left for distribution.  Also, the fact that pamphlets or flyers are available at the library does not constitute an endorsement of the content by the Library.
  9. Individuals wishing to leave materials are asked to request permission from the library director.  This need not be a formal written request.

Approved January 20, 2007.