Pierce County Library System
Information & Imagination

POLICY STATEMENT

In its role to support civic engagement and participation and provide individuals with access to information to explore ideas, form opinions, and make decisions on issues, the Pierce County Library System functions as a limited public forum for campaign literature and political forums.

Purpose

To provide a clear and consistent philosophy and purpose for the Library System to function as a limited public forum for campaign literature and political forums.

Campaign Literature

During primary, general, and special elections for voters in the Library System’s service area, the Library System may act in its information capacity to provide public access to election information literature, which is defined as fact sheets, voters pamphlets, and other similar documents that would provide general information regarding elections and/or objective and fair presentations of fact related to a ballot proposition.

Displaying election information literature does not indicate the Library System’s direct or indirect support or opposition of any candidate, issue, or ballot proposition. The Library System provides the election information literature for information of the public. 

Public Forums

In accordance with the Library System’s Public Meeting and Conference Room policy, political forums may be conducted in the Library’s public meeting rooms by members of the public or organizations. Meeting rooms are available for political uses on a nondiscriminatory, equal access basis. The Library System will make time, place, and manner restrictions which are necessary to conduct normal library operations. Community groups may not use the Library’s facilities to produce materials that support or oppose a ballot measure or candidate.

The Library System may facilitate election-information forums anywhere in the library buildings or in locations outside of the library where the Library is convening such forums.

Convening election information forums or providing space for individuals or organizations to conduct forums does not indicate the Library System’s direct or indirect support or opposition of any candidate, issue, or ballot proposition. The Library System provides the forums for the information of the public.

Signature Gatherers

Signature gatherers and/or petitioners may solicit signatures on library property, outside of library buildings, at least twenty-five (25) feet from entrances to the buildings, and ballot deposit boxes during an election voting period. Signature gatherers must not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic into and out of the library building, impede the delivery of library services to the public, or obstruct staff work. Signature gatherers may not set up tables, signs, or other structures.