Board Policy – Community Information

Policy Statement

Fraser Valley Regional Library (the “Library”) recognizes that public access to community-based information (including cultural, recreational, and educational information) is an important tool for the public to stay informed and connected to the community in which they reside. Where space and resources permit and subject always to compliance with the terms of this policy, the Library will post, or make available for distribution or display, community-based information, including community announcements, pamphlets, posters, newsletters, community newspapers and magazines. The posting, display, and availability for distribution of this information is governed by the terms of this policy and the Library reserves the right to review and amend or replace this policy at any time.

Scope

This policy applies to Library staff and to the general public with respect to the posting, display, or availability for distribution of community information on Library premises.

Terms for Posting, Display, or Availability for Distribution

Any community-based information that is posted, displayed, or made available for distribution at the Library must comply with the following terms:

  • It must be compliant with applicable laws;
  • It must be compliant with the Library’s policies and procedures (including the Library’s Code of Conduct);
  • It must not have, as its primary purpose, the commercial, private, or corporate promotion of products, items, or services;
  • It must not have, as its primary purpose, petitions or fundraising efforts.
  • It must not be pornographic or contain expletives and should generally be appropriate for viewing by all demographics of customers including children and vulnerable persons; and
  • Discrimination, bullying, and harassment are not tolerated at the Library and this includes in any information that is posted, displayed, or made available for distribution at the Library.

The following additional terms also apply:

  • Before anything is posted, displayed, or made available for distribution at the Library under this policy, a written request must first be made to the Library Manager or delegate at the Library for approval and written approval must be granted. The rental of a Library meeting room does not constitute the Library’s approval under this provision and approval may be denied even if a meeting room is rented.  Approval may also be denied even if the terms for approval noted above are also complied with;
  • If approval is granted, the approval does not promise that the posting, display, or availability of the community-based information will be done for any particular time period and the Library reserves the right to remove what has been posted, displayed, or made available for distribution in its discretion (including to make more space for other postings or displays including for Library sponsored programs or events);
  • The Library cannot guarantee that any particular space or amount of space will be available for posting, display, or distribution at any time;
  • The Library does not pay for, and is not responsible for the replacement costs associated with, anything that is posted, displayed, or made available for distribution under this policy; and
  • The Library is not responsible or liable in any way for the content of the information that is posted, displayed, or made available for distribution under this policy.
     

Information is made available under this policy in response to the diverse cultural, recreational, informational and educational needs of the community. It may represent varying points of view. It will reflect current conditions, trends and controversies so that members of the community may inform themselves and make individual judgements. The Library does not endorse or promote particular beliefs or views, and the provision of space for community information does not imply the Library’s endorsement of the viewpoint expressed therein. The Library does not participate in partisan politics nor take an advocacy role on issues outside the Library world.  Further, in posting, displaying, or making available for distribution any community-based information under this policy, the Library does not warrant that any content is accurate, reliable, or complete.

Questions

Anyone with questions about this policy or its application should contact the Library Manager.