An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights PDF Version of Meeting Rooms Click on the button to the left to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view and print this and other PDF files available on the OIF Web site.
Many libraries provide meeting rooms for individuals and groups as part of a program of service.
Libraries maintaining meeting room facilities should develop and publish policy statements governing use. These statements should be made available in any commonly used language within the community served. If meeting rooms in libraries supported by public funds are made available to the general public for non-library sponsored events, the library may not exclude any group based on the subject matter to be discussed or based on the ideas that the group advocates. For example, if a library allows charities and sports clubs to discuss their activities in library meeting rooms, then the library should not exclude partisan political or religious groups from discussing their activities in the same facilities. If a library opens its meeting rooms to a wide variety of civic organizations, then the library may not deny access to a religious organization.