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RCW 42.17.130 states that public facilities may not be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition, except for activities which are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency. Federal courts have consistently recognized the public library to be a limited public forum. WAC 390-05-271 clarifies that RCW 42.17.130 does not prevent a public agency from making facilities such as meeting rooms available on a nondiscriminatory, equal access basis for political uses.
Consistent with this legal framework, it is Spokane County Library District’s policy to allow use of its facilities for political uses on a nondiscriminatory, equal access basis, making such time and place restrictions as are necessary for the orderly conduct of normal public library operations.
District meeting and conference rooms are open to any individual or group on an equal basis and as such may be used for political or partisan purposes.
Materials in support of or opposition to a ballot proposition will not be accepted for distribution or posting in District facilities; such materials left in District facilities will be discarded.
Petitions may not be placed on bulletin boards or literature distribution racks, or otherwise left in District facilities. Petition signatures may be solicited only within meeting rooms that are scheduled for that purpose; they may not be solicited elsewhere inside or outside District buildings.
The Director is responsible for establishing and administering procedures to carry out this policy.
Adopted by the Spokane County Library District
Board of Trustees: April 15, 2003
Revised: July 19, 2005
Last Reviewed and Reaffirmed: November 20, 2007
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