Guidelines for Library Policies

Publicly funded libraries follow the U.S. Constitution and federal, state, local, and tribal laws. These laws are put into action through regulations, policies, and procedures made by the library’s leadership. These policies and procedures: 

  • define the library’s mission; 

  • outline its functions, services, and operations; and 

  • clarify the rights and responsibilities of library users. 

Publicly funded libraries must uphold the First Amendment’s right to free expression. They provide free, equal, and equitable access to information. As government entities, libraries’ policies and procedures allow them to act as limited public forums. This includes any public use of meeting rooms, exhibit spaces, or bulletin boards. 

Libraries that are not publicly funded should also follow these guidelines when developing: 

  • policies; 

  • regulations; and 

  • procedures.

This is in line with the Library Bill of Rights that affirms, “all libraries are forums for information and ideas.” 

Library policies and procedures can sometimes restrict, deny, or create barriers to accessing the library as a public forum. Any rules that impact First Amendment rights must meet a higher standard of review than those of other public services and facilities. 

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” Any policies that restrict access must be based on a compelling government interest. Libraries can set reasonable restrictions on when, where, or how people access resources, services, or facilities. These restrictions must be content-neutral and not based on personal characteristics. For example, libraries should not limit access based on:

  • citizenship or immigration status; 

  • age; 

  • income or housing status; or 

  • disapproval of a user’s beliefs or the information they seek.

Library workers should get training to understand the legal principles behind policies. This training should help staff respond to difficult situations in a timely, direct, and open way. Staff should learn trauma-informed practices to better understand and support library users facing barriers.

  1. All library policies, regulations, and procedures should avoid denying, restricting, or creating barriers to access. All policies should: 

    1. be created and carried out following the laws that apply to the library. This includes: 

    2. the U.S. Constitution (especially the First Amendment); 

    3. provisions ensuring due process and equal and equitable treatment under the law; and 

    4. federal, state, local, and tribal laws. 

  2. refer to the specific laws that give the library the authority to make the policy; 

  3. be created and carried out following the Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations; 

  4. be based upon the library’s mission and objectives; 

  5. avoid limiting access to library resources, services, or facilities unless it’s needed to fulfill the library’s mission and objectives; 

  6. make any restrictions as specific and limited as possible, applying them only when absolutely necessary to serve library objectives; 

  7. balance competing interests and make sure individual rights are protected—not favoring the majority; 

  8. avoid limiting access based upon arbitrary distinctions such as origin, age, background, or views;

  9. not target specific users or groups based on an assumption that they might act in ways that will disrupt the library’s objectives; 

  10. be clearly stated so that people of all reading abilities can understand them; 

  11. provide a way to appeal; 

  12. be reviewed regularly by the library’s governing authority and legal counsel; 

  13. be communicated clearly and made available to all library users; and 

  14. be applied fairly and not in a way that benefits or disfavors any specific person or group.

Formerly titled “Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of Policies, Regulations, and Procedures Affecting Access to Library Resources, Services, and Facilities.” Adopted June 28, 1994, by the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee; amended January 19, 2005; March 29, 2014; June 24, 2019; and February 10, 2025.