Community Use Agreement
Policy approved by The Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees
Background
The Seattle Public Library is supported by the taxes of the people of Seattle who expect each of our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe places for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing expectations of community use to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers, and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library's materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. In addition, the Library has a strong commitment to intellectual freedom, equity and to freedom of access to information.
The Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees has the authority under state law to establish reasonable expectations regarding the use of the Library as a community resource and to suspend access to Library property and services any person who willfully and persistently violates those expectations. The Community Use Agreement is a policy expressing these reasonable expectations and will be enforced in a fair and reasonable manner, with suspension periods that vary based on the violation, with longer suspension periods for more serious violations.
Policy Statement
The Seattle Public Library is a shared community space where everyone belongs. Library staff are happy to help you find materials, programs, and services that meet your needs and help you thrive.
The Seattle Public Library's mission is to bring people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community. Together, we can keep the Library safe, welcoming, and useful by following three important guidelines:
- Be safe with yourself and others.
- Be respectful of staff, one another, and the space we share.
- Be aware that violence, intimidation, harassment, and hateful speech directed at another person will not be tolerated.
When we enter Library property or use Library services, we all agree to comply with these guidelines. Here are some examples of what the guidelines mean in practice and what we expect of everyone who visits.
Be safe with yourself and others.
- Do not use alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco (including vaping)
- Maintain supervision of children under your care.
- If you appear to be sleeping, staff will check on your welfare, and wake you up.
- Use restrooms responsibly and keep them safe and usable for others.
- Wear footwear and clothing.
Be respectful of staff, one another, and the space we share.
- Refrain from activities that interfere with the use or operation of the Library.
- Eat and drink only in designated areas.
- Well-behaved service animals are allowed. Pets are not.
- ADA-approved wheeled devices and strollers are allowed. Bicycles and scooters are not.
- Fundraising, gathering signatures, distributing literature, and other public solicitations are not allowed on Library property.
- Strong fragrances and odors that unreasonably interfere with Library use are not allowed.
- Stay within public areas. Staff areas are non-public and for staff only.
- Cooperate with reasonable requests from staff.
Be aware that violence, intimidation, harassment, and hateful speech that is directed at another will not be tolerated. This includes:
- Verbal or physical intimidation in any form or library setting that raises concern for physical safety.
- Staring, following, or repeated, unwelcome personal questions or comments to patrons or staff.
- Harmful, offensive, or hateful speech that is directed at another person based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or other aspects of their identity or background.
- Offensive touching or behavior that is sexual or indecent in nature.
- Any type of assault or threat of assault.
- Showing or using weapons in a manner that indicates an intent to harm.
- Possession of a firearm or illegal weapon on Library property.
- Any other behavior that endangers people, damages Library property, or is illegal.
Guiding Principles
Commitment to Equity
The Library is committed to aligning the practice of this agreement with our commitment to equity. We are committed to removing barriers to accessing Library programs and services, particularly those barriers that result from racial, social, or economic oppression. In pursuit of this goal, our priority is to engage with, listen to, and address the unmet needs of people of all ages who have been historically marginalized on the basis of race or who remain subject to racial, social, or economic injustice. www.spl.org/Equity
Commitment to Intellectual Freedom
The Library supports intellectual freedom and upholds the right of all people to freely and confidentially access information as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as by Article I, Section 5 of the Washington State Constitution. We oppose any attempt to censor or restrict public access to information and ideas. Our resources and services are available to everyone equally. www.spl.org/IntellectualFreedom
Commitment to Accessibility
The Library is committed to access for all. Individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by calling 206-615-1380 or emailing ada@spl.org.
Commitment to Staff Responsibilities
Library staff are trained and expected to work with patrons to provide options and to resolve conflict. If you feel that Library staff are not upholding this agreement, we encourage feedback. Please reach out at www.spl.org/Ask, 206-386-4636, or ask Library staff for an official comment form.
Enforcement
Suspension Process:
Staff may ask patrons to correct their behavior, or they may require patrons to leave the Library for a day or longer, depending on the severity of the violation. For repeated or serious violations, staff may issue longer suspensions that also suspend access to Library services. Our goal is to facilitate successful use of the Library for all patrons.
Patrons who are suspended from the Library are not allowed within any Library location nor allowed to use any Library card services for the duration of their suspension. Refusal to leave Library property after staff issue a suspension, or returning before a suspension is over, can result in a longer suspension. Patrons who are suspended for more than one week have the right to appeal. This process can be conducted online by emailing adrev@spl.org or suspended patrons may enter the Library for the limited purpose of requesting a paper appeals form.
Administrative Review of Notices of Suspension
An individual who has received a Notice of Suspension may request an administrative review of a suspension order that is for a period greater than seven days, if that request is made in a timely manner. Further instructions are outlined in the Administrative Procedure, Suspending Individuals from The Seattle Public Library.
Implementation and Delegation
The Library Board delegates to the Executive Director and Chief Librarian the authority to adopt policies, procedures and guidelines to implement the Community Use Agreement. Such policies, procedures, and guidelines may include, but are not limited to:
- Specifying which Seattle Public Library personnel are authorized to issue Notices of Suspension.
- Specifying whether non-Library personnel, including Seattle Police Department personnel, may issue Notices of Suspension and, if so, for which particular violations.
- Providing guidance regarding the range of possible periods of suspension for particular violations, including factors such as the nature and seriousness of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense.
- Providing procedures for the administrative review of Notices of Suspension.
Applicability
Applicability and Authorization:
The Community Use Agreement applies to all staff, patrons, volunteers, and community members, and it applies everywhere the Library provides service, including on Library property, in the community, through our website or social media, and by phone or email. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the safety of those who require care while visiting the Library.
Library staff are entrusted by the Executive Director and Chief Librarian with interpreting and enforcing the Community Use Agreement in accordance with our commitments to intellectual freedom, equity and racial and social justice, and other Library policies.
Related Laws, Policies And Procedures
Board Policy, Community Use Agreement Enforcement and Administrative Review of Suspension Orders.
Administrative Procedure, Suspending Individuals from The Seattle Public Library.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 27.12.270, Rules and regulations - Free use of libraries.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 27.12.290, Public Libraries - Violators may be excluded.
Adopted by the Library Board May 27, 2025 with effective date of August 1, 2025.
History
Previously titled Rules of Conduct. Supersedes Rules of Conduct adopted Oct. 23, 2013. Supersedes reviews and wording clarifications approved Jan. 16, 2014 and June 24, 2015.
Supersedes Rules of Conduct adopted May 27, 1997 and revised Jan. 22, 2002, March 16, 2004, April 27, 2006, and July 15, 2009.