The Richland Public Library has multiple ways that its public space can be used to interact with its community. Much of this space is considered a limited public forum. Speech in a limited public forum may be limited by the municipality to certain groups or topics. The purpose of this policy is to outline those various types of public spaces and the guidelines and expectations related to each of these.

The Library provides a public bulletin board on the second floor of the building. Those who have materials they would like to post on the board must adhere to the following:

• New postings must be submitted to the Service Desk for approval. Any item posted without approval will be removed.
• Postings are strictly limited to non-commercial civic, educational, and community events and services.
• Postings related to commercial, politically partisan, religious, solicitation, or personal matters will not be approved.
• Postings, once approved, will remain posted until the event occurs or for a maximum of 30 calendar days, whichever comes first.
• Posting of notices and distribution of material does not constitute endorsement by the Richland Public Library or the City of Richland.

The Library has limited space for community brochures, pamphlets, and newspapers. Those who have materials they would like to place in this space must adhere to the following:

• New brochures, pamphlets, or newspapers must be submitted to the Service Desk for approval. Any item posted without approval will be removed.
• Postings are strictly limited to non-commercial and accessible resources that benefit City of Richland residents.
• Postings related to commercial, politically partisan, religious, solicitation, or personal matters will not be approved.
• Information, resources, and newspapers must be kept current. Any dated or irrelevant information will be removed.
• The Library reserves the right to remove any brochures, pamphlets, or newspapers at any time.
• Distribution of material does not constitute endorsement by the Richland Public Library or the City of Richland.

The Library offers space to host donation drive receptacles. These requests must adhere to the following:

• The Library will only consider requests to host donation drives from Library partners who provide a mutually beneficial relationship with the Library.
• Donation drives must offer benefits to residents of the Richland community in some way.
• Donation drives, if accepted, may only be hosted for a maximum of 60 calendar days.
• The organization agrees to monitor the donation receptacle and ensure that it, at no point, is in a state of disrepair or overfilling. The Library reserves the right to remove receptacles that are not maintained. Donations that are not collected in a timely manner may be donated to local organizations.
• The Library is not responsible for the receptacle used or the items donated in the provided receptacle.
• Requests must be approved by the Library Manager or designee.
• Presence of donation receptacles for the benefit of a particular organization does not constitute endorsement of that organization by the Richland Public Library or the City of Richland.

The Library offers limited lobby space for regional resources looking to connect with residents. Information tables to share community resources will be considered provided they adhere to the following:

• The Library will only consider requests to host an information table from Library partners who provide a mutually beneficial relationship with the Library.
• Information tables must be related to non-commercial and accessible resources that benefit City of Richland residents.
• Information table requests related to commercial, politically partisan, religious, solicitation, or personal matters will not be approved.
• Information table requests may not exceed more than two consecutive days.
• Placement of information tables is not guaranteed and may vary due to the use of other public spaces and in the sole discretion of Library staff.
• The Library reserves the right to cancel or discontinue information table requests for any reason.
• Requests must be approved by the Library Manager or designee.
• The presence of an information table for the benefit of a particular organization does not constitute endorsement of that organization by the Richland Public Library or the City of Richland.

The Library offers a variety of spaces to display rotating exhibits. These options include display case, common area, portable art panels, and wall space. The following must be followed when requesting and displaying exhibits:

• Exhibits must be informational, artistic, cultural, historical, or intellectual in nature. The Library Manager or designee reserves the right to reject any exhibit that the Library Manager or designee reasonably believes is likely to create disruption.
• Exhibit requests must be approved by the Library Manager or designee.
• The Library assumes no responsibility or liability for the preservation or protection of any exhibit. All items placed in the Library are there at the owner's risk without recourse from the Richland Public Library or the City of Richland for theft or damage.
• Prices may not be included on any exhibit, although contact information may be posted on artwork that is also available for purchase.
• The Library reserves the right to control the timeline of an exhibit, including the ability to shorten the agreed upon dates at the discretion of the Library Manager or designee.
• Organizations may not have more than two (2) standing exhibit reservations at any one time.
• Exhibitors are responsible for setup and removal of exhibits. Exhibitors must adhere to the agreed-upon setup and removal dates for their exhibit. Exhibits not removed by the agreed-upon date will have their work removed by Library staff. The Library shall not be held responsible for any damage or loss resulting from removing an exhibit.
• Exhibitors who fail to comply with these requirements may have future exhibiting privileges revoked.
• Complete the Reserve Exhibit Space Form on the Library’s website to reserve exhibit space.
• The presence of an exhibit in the Richland Public Library does not constitute the Richland Public Library’s or the City of Richland’s endorsement with the message projected by the exhibit.

The Library has several areas designated for staff-created rotating displays. These displays are meant to constructively represent our diverse community and a wide spectrum of viewpoints and topics. When selecting displays, the Library may follow, but are not limited to, this set of criteria:

• Connection to the Library Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision
• Community needs, interests, and inclusivity
• Informational, artistic, cultural, historical, and intellectual significance
• Connection to other community or national programs, events, and celebrations
• Relation to Library collections, resources, exhibits, and programs
• Availability of display space

Members of the public are welcome to suggest displays. Library staff may partner with organizations and subject matter experts to support the creation and design of displays. To suggest a display, patrons may contact the Library in person or by phone.

Serving a diverse population potentially results in some exhibits or displays being more relevant to certain patron populations than others. As an institution that supports intellectual freedom, we value diversity in thought. We support residents in their right to pursue information on all sides of a subject. ALA’s Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View principles will be adhered to at the Library. The Library will not exclude a display solely due to its potentially controversial nature.

If a patron within our service population wishes to request a selected exhibit or display be reconsidered, they may utilize the Contact the Library Manager form. Forms submitted should specify the exhibit or display in question and include why they feel the exhibit or display does not align with this policy. The Library Manager will follow up with the patron to discuss their thoughts and issue a final decision regarding the exhibit or display within 30 calendar days of submission.

• Adopted by the Richland Public Library Board on December 12, 2023.