Public Space Policy

Introduction

The Library’s public space is an important part of our overall vision to enrich the human spirit and strengthen our commitment to democratic participation.

Our public space contributes to community building by providing an opportunity for diverse cultures and socio-economic groups to express opinions and perspectives through personal interaction, planned assemblies and celebrations. It is an expression of our commitment to collective values, free and open access and public deliberations. It also provides opportunities for solitude and reflection.

Active use of our public space places the Library at the centre of public life and supports life-long learning.

General Guidelines

The Library encourages the general public and community organizations to make use of its space for activities compatible with the Library’s goals and objectives.

There are different types of public space throughout the Library system. The Central Library has the greatest variety of public space including 3 distinct rental space categories: the North and South Plazas, the Promenade, and a range of meeting rooms throughout the building. Rental space at the branches is limited to those branches with meeting rooms.

Given the varying types and visibility of the rental spaces at Central, different rental guidelines apply to different areas.

These guidelines recognize that commercial activity, through space rentals, contributes to library revenue and supports library programs and further recognize that commercial and non-commercial activities are often intertwined. Decisions regarding space rentals will often require weighing policy with the pragmatic issues which arise in handling day to day requests for space.

The Library recognizes the right of citizens to free assembly and protest and will not unduly restrict access to the exterior public space for these purposes. Prior permission, which will not be unreasonably withheld, is required for all organized group activity on Library public space.

Distribution of commercial information on Library property will only be allowed in conjunction with rentals. No commercial activity aimed at users is permitted within the Library. Any Library space may be rented for filming as long as the activities of users and/or staff are not unduly impeded.

Meeting Rooms

There are no restrictions on who may rent meeting rooms as long as activities conform to operational requirements for the use of facilities and do not contravene the Criminal Code and BC Human Rights legislation. [see the Board Policy “Meeting Rooms & Facilities”]

North and South Plaza

Given their high visibility to the street and people entering the Library, displays on the Plazas may give the appearance of Library endorsement of the display. In order to maintain the image of the Library as an inclusive community agency, the standards applied to displays on the Plazas are different than those in other rental spaces.

Except for filming, the Plazas will not be available for booking by for profit entities or by not for profit entities wishing to use the space for a commercial promotion, unless it is part of a library sponsored event or program. Given its popularity as an individual gathering place and the availability of the North Plaza, the South Plaza will only be booked for Library and co-sponsored events.

Events on the Plazas should take into consideration sound volume and duration given adjacent residential highrises and hotels.

Petitioning and seeking donations for registered charities will be permitted on the Plazas as long as pedestrians are not harassed and the petitioners are not present more than seven consecutive days.

Excluding filming, Plaza will not be rented for more than seven consecutive days.

Promenade

The Promenade’s integrated commercial activity makes it a unique Library space, in effect an extension of the sidewalk. As a result, for-profit and not- for- profit rental of display space in the Promenade is permitted as long as pedestrian traffic is not impeded and fire regulations are observed.

Petitioning and seeking donations from library users is not permitted in the Promenade unless it is linked to a rental of display space.