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Chattanooga Public Library (CPL) [37402] | No, this is not a trusted library | "...conduct [is not allowed] that involves the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking." |
Castleton Public Library (CPL) [12033] | Non-specific police | "Loud, offensive, threatening or abusive language or actions are prohibited." |
Detroit Public Library [48202] [48208] [48212] [48210] [48209] [48207] [48216] [48224] [48219] [48227] [48238] [48234] [48235] [48203] [48221] [48215] [48228] | Non-specific policy | "Offensive, abusive or threatening language, behavior or gestures are prohibited." |
Ferndale Area District Library / Ferndale Public Library [48220] | Non-specific policy | "Not allowed on library property: ...Verbally or physically threatening, or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff; including stalking, staring, lurking, offensive touching, and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure." |
Southfield Public Library (SFPL) [48076] | No, this is not a trusted library | "[Prohibited behavior includes] Loud, unreasonable, and/or disturbing noises that interfere with other patrons’ use of the Library, or that can be reasonably expected to disturb other persons" |
Somerville Public Library [02143] | No, this is not a trusted library | "No use of the Library Auditorium or Conference Room will be allowed that is likely to disturb library patrons in their customary use of library facilities, impede library staff in the performance of their duties, or endanger the library building or collection." |
Watertown Free Public Library [02472] | No, this is not a trusted library | "Library meeting rooms are made available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of the groups making the request." |
Robbins Public Library (Arlington) [02476] | Non-specific policy | "Harassment is characterized by requests for sexual contact, unwelcome physical advances, or conduct-verbal or physical- of a nature that is intimidating, demeaning, hostile, offensive, or potentially dangerous to self or others" |
Madison Public Library [53717] | Non-specific policy | "[inappropriate behavior includes] engaging in any behavior that a reasonable person would find to be disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to library users or staff" // "Madison Public Library is committed to racial equity and social justice" |
Jefferson Township Public Library [07438] | No, this is not a trusted library | "Any local civic and service club; local business; governmental agency; and any educational, cultural, literary, or other not-for-profit association may reserve a meeting room." |
Clearwater Public Library System [33755] | Non-specific policy | "meeting rooms are available [to] non-profit organizations that do not unlawfully discriminate in their membership practices." |
Hennepin County Library [55401] | No, this is not a trusted library | "Public gathering places are available to the public regardless of the beliefs or affiliations or groups requesting their use." |
Norfolk Public Library [02056] | Non-specific policy | "Inappropriate or abusive language is prohibited." |
Lorain Public Library System [44052] | No, this is not a trusted library | "Meetings, events, programs or activities that might disturb regular Library operations are not permitted." |
St. Louis County Library [63131] | No, this is not a trusted library | "Use of the Library’s meeting rooms must not disrupt the orderly conduct of the Library, its programs or activities." |
Rutherford County Public Library System [37130] [37167] [37060] | Non-specific policy | "Class II Offense: Intentionally engaging in harassing or threatening behavior towards other patrons or library employees for the purpose of annoying, intimidating or casing fear to the recipient" |
Cary Memorial Public Library (CMPL) [02420] | Non-specific policy | "Public use of the library’s meeting rooms must be subordinate to the need to provide a safe, peaceful, and respectful environment in which to read and study" |
Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) [21401] | Yes, this is a trusted library | " [Meeting rooms may be used] by groups who agree to observe library rules and whose activities do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability." |
Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) [13202] | Non-specific policy | "deny use of library meeting rooms if there is reason to predict physical hazard to the participants or audience." |
Onondaga Free Library [13215] | Non-specific policy | "meeting rooms may be used by non-profit organizations, civic-oriented groups, or clubs for lawful activities" |
Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) [13212] [13039] [13029] | Non-specific policy | "Meeting rooms may not be used for [...] Partisan political activities" |
Boston Public Library (BPL) [02116] | Non-specific policy | "the provision of meeting room space is not the primary mission of the Library, and must always be subordinate to the paramount need to provide a safe, peaceful, and respectful environment in which to read and study." |
Cambridge Public Library [02138] | Yes, this is a trusted library | "will not tolerate hate speech directed at patrons or staff. Hate speech is [...] an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons defined in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and the like." |
TRUSTED LIBRARIES
We advocate for library workers to take an active role in maintaining libraries as trusted and inclusive spaces where people from all backgrounds and experiences can engage with each other respectfully.
We define a Trusted Library to be one that protects the human rights of vulnerable community members through explicitly committing to prioritize their safety and access needs over the desires of those who wish to do them harm.
In the service of this ideal, we believe written policies should specify that library use is open to everyone except those who threaten violence against library staff or patrons through physical intimidation or openly espousing the ideologies of white supremacy, white nationalism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, or eugenics.
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ADD YOUR LIBRARY
Link us to your local library's behavior and meeting room policies on hate speech and hate groups and we'll add the data. The more submissions we get, the easier it will be for vulnerable community members to locate trusted spaces.
If your library doesn't meet the criteria to be a safer space, see our tips for encouraging improvements to library policy. If you're having trouble, please feel free to contact us so we can work with you.
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