Meeting Rooms: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Many libraries offer meeting rooms and other spaces for public use as a community service. Article VI of the Library Bill of Rights states, “Libraries which make.  meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.”

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.” This applies to meeting rooms and spaces designated for public use just as it does to the library collections and services.

Libraries do not support or endorse the views of meeting room users, just as they do not endorse the viewpoints of materials in their collections. Some groups may engage in activities that, while legally protected, can cause fear and discomfort for library users and staff. Libraries should create and enforce user behavior policies that protect users and staff from harassment while upholding free speech rights.1 This interpretation provides general guidelines for meeting room use, and is not legal advice.

Publicly funded libraries are not required to offer meeting rooms for public use. However, if they do, these spaces are considered designated public forums.2 This means libraries cannot exclude groups based on the topics they discuss or the ideas they support.3 The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause allows religious groups to use library meeting rooms and spaces.4

Libraries can enforce their behavior policies if a group disrupts or harasses others in the library. Libraries may face legal and financial consequences if their policies seem to unfairly limit controversial groups’ access to meeting rooms.

Libraries should work with legal counsel to create policies in advance for using meeting rooms and public spaces. These policies should explain when, where, and how the space can be used. However, they should not restrict access based on the content of a meeting or to the beliefs or affiliations of the sponsors. Libraries should also be transparent about the privacy and confidentiality policies regarding use of meeting rooms as a library resource.

Policies should be available to the public in the community’s most commonly used languages. Library staff should also review them regularly.

Library policies should be inclusive, not exclusive. An inclusive policy may state:

Our library’s meeting rooms are open to groups for activities related to:

  • education;
  • culture;
  • charity;
  • advocacy;
  • civic engagement;
  • religion; or
  • politics.

For example, if a library allows a charity or sports clubs to use its space, then political or religious groups should also be allowed. If meeting rooms are open to a variety of civic organizations, then the library may not deny access to a religious group.

Policies may set limits on how often a space can be used. They may also require users to follow the library’s behavior policy.5 The policy should state whether meetings must be open to the public or if private events are allowed.

Libraries may offer space for public or private events unless restricted by state or local laws. The same rules should apply to all meeting room users. Libraries should also have a process for users to appeal if their meeting room request is denied.

If meeting rooms and spaces are open to the public, library policies should clearly state any fees. Fees for meeting rooms may limit or deny access for some users.6 Charging fees does not change the status as a designated public forum. Libraries that charge fees should review:

  • local and state laws;
  • the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics; and
  • the Library Bill of Rights.

Meeting rooms may be offered as a resource to all members of a community. While prioritizing the safety of library users and workers, libraries must also uphold the First Amendment rights of all users — including those with ideas that other members of the community may disagree with. Strong policies, approved in advance, are the best way to ensure both safety and freedom of speech for all. 

Notes

1. “Resolution on Libraries as Responsible Spaces,” adopted June 26, 2017, by the ALA Council.

2. Concerned Women for Am. v. Lafayette Cnty., 883 F.2d 32 (5th Cir. 1989).

3. Hale v. Schaumburg Twp. Dist. Library, et al., 01-cv-2220 (N.D. Ill. 2001); Hale, et al., v. Schell and the Martin Library Bd. of Dirs., 1:02-cv-1156 (M.D. Pa. 2002); “White Supremacist Wins Library Venue in Schaumburg,” American Libraries, August 20, 2001, https://web.archive.org/web/20181212231846/https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/white-supremacist-wins-library-venue-in-schaumburg/;  “White Supremacists to Meet after Library Changes Policy,” Library Journal, November 25, 2002, https://web.archive.org/web/20150407153623/http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2002/11/ljarchives/white-supremacists-to-meet-after-library-changes-policy/ 

4. Concerned Women for Am. v. Lafayette Cnty., 883 F.2d 32 (5th Cir. 1989).

5. “Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures Regarding User Behavior and Library Usage,” adopted January 24, 1993, by the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee; amended November 17, 2000; January 19, 2005; March 29, 2014; and August 16, 2019.

6. “Economic Barriers to Library Access: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted June 30, 1993, by the ALA Council; amended June 25, 2019 under the previous name “Economic Barriers to Information Access”; and June 29, 2025.

Adopted July 2, 1991, by the ALA Council; amended June 26, 2018; amended version rescinded August 16, 2018; amended January 29, 2019; and June 29, 2025.