Free Speech Areas Policy

Policies > Free Speech Areas Policy

<div class="ExternalClassD1DF5C8C719E474E8A59D50B789EE184"><h2>Policy Statement</h2><span data-ccp-parastyle="p3" data-ccp-parastyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"55a68153-7335-547e-9a8c-d95dc03098f4|1","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[201342446,"1",201342447,"5",201342448,"1",201342449,"1",469777841,"Arial",469777842,"Arial",469777843,"Times New Roman",469777844,"Arial",201341986,"1",469769226,"Arial,Times New Roman",268442635,"18",469775450,"p3",201340122,"2",134233614,"true",469778129,"p3",335572020,"1",335551500,"0",335559740,"240",201341983,"0",335559739,"0",469778324,"Normal"]}">The City of Phoenix and Phoenix Public Library (Library) (collectively referred to as The City) uphold and support the constitutional right to free speech. Members of the public are welcome to engage in free speech activities in a safe exterior area in accordance with City regulations outlining the time, place and manner of such activities. Library visitors should be able to enjoy the Library’s facilities, programs, services, and activities without fear of disruptive behavior, harassment, intimidation, or threats to their safety and well-being. <h2>Scope</h2>This Policy is applicable to all Library properties. The South Mountain Community Library, however, is situated on the South Mountain Community College campus and the College's speech policies may take priority. Persons engaging in any free speech activities as outlined in this policy are referred to as “Speakers.” <h2>Regulations</h2>These regulations are designed to enable those wishing to exercise their freedom of speech, while protecting the public’s right to the use and enjoyment of the library without interfering with the Library and City’s ability to conduct necessary business activities. The activities of Speakers are not a reflection of the policies, opinions, or views of the City, their officials, employees, and representatives; the City takes a content neutral position as to the message of any Speaker. The City reserves the right to take action against those whose behavior does not comply with this Policy or the Maintaining a Safe and Appropriate Library Environment Policy. If Speakers choose not to follow these standards, they will be asked to leave. Police may be called if Speakers refuse to leave the Library or if the behavior itself is illegal. Illegal activity, as well as any willful or repeated violations of these policies, may result in a suspension of access to some library services. <ol><li>Free Speech Activities may include, but are not limited to: </li>a. "Demonstrating” – speaking, holding or carrying signs, or using expressive conduct, without attempting personal contact with library customers. b.“Pamphleteering” – distributing literature, or attempting to engage customers in discussions, but not requesting signatures or contributions; c. “Petition passing” – approaching and requesting action, including but not limited to signatures from individual library customers. <li>Commercial activities such as offering products or services for sale, soliciting tips for services, or soliciting donations are prohibited on all Library properties regardless of any City of Phoenix permits. Additional policies may apply to Library parking lots which may be controlled by other City Departments or other entities. </li><li>Listed acceptable activities must be contained within the areas designated by the Library for such activities. These areas abut ingress and egress areas and are intended to keep the sidewalks clear and safe for Library customers. Consult www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org for maps showing the designated areas. </li><li>Access to and use of the areas will be on a first ome, first served basis and if more than one Speaker wishes to use the area, it must be shared equitably. Areas may only be used during Library operating hours. </li><li>Speakers’ volume that interferes with the use and intended purpose of the Library is prohibited. Speakers are asked to control the level of any noise resulting from their activities so that it does not disturb library customers or library staff. The City reserves the right to define volume levels that are considered disruptive. </li><li>Speakers must provide their own supplies, equipment, and personal furniture; the Library will not provide or store any such property. </li><li>The Library reserves the right to remove any items that may be deemed hazardous, unsafe, are interfering with ingress/egress to the facility and/or are otherwise interfering with the use and intended purpose of the Library. </li><li>Speakers exercising their free speech are utilizing the area by choice and are responsible for any injury to self, others, and/or property. </li><li>All printed information, such as posters, pamphlets, cards, door hangers, etc. must be hand-held or hand-distributed unless attached to Speakers’ personal furniture or belongings. No such materials may be placed on or attached to the buildings, walls, columns, lights, or other structural/ornamental features of the Library, and/or vehicles in Library parking areas, bike racks or on bicycles. </li><li>Unattended signs, posters, notes, pamphlets, personal furniture, or belongings of Speakers are not permitted and, if found, will be removed and discarded by the City. </li></ol>Library users who wish to request a reasonable accommodation regarding this Policy may contact 602-262-4636, TTY 711, or submit your request in person or through Ask Us at phoenixpubliclibrary.org at least 14 business days before the event. Approved by the Library Advisory Board on April 15, 2026 </div>

Free Speech Area(s) Policy	Free Speech Area(s) Policy	<i class="fa-sharp-duotone fa-regular fa-comment"></i>	https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/documents/Policies/Free Speech Areas Policy_LABApproved_April152026.pdf		The City of Phoenix and Phoenix Public Library (Library) (collectively referred to as The City) uphold and support the constitutional right to free speech.		New Window
Free Speech Areas	Free Speech Areas	<i class="fa-sharp-duotone fa-regular fa-comment"></i>	https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/about/policies/free-speech-areas	Free-speech areas are defined within the unique scope of each library.	<div class="ExternalClassC940994C7B7B4842BE0D487979BBF713"><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Without compromising the examples of unacceptable behavior set forth in </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“<a href="/about/policies/maintaining-a-safe-and-appropriate-library-environment">Maintaining a Safe and Appropriate Library Environment</a>” </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">and </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“<a href="/about/policies/free-speech-areas-policy">Free Speech Areas Policy,</a>”</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> each agency’s free-speech area is defined below. Free-speech areas are defined within the unique scope of each library.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":72,"335559739":240,"335559740":252}"> <br><br></span></h4><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Acacia Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":72,"335559739":0,"335559740":252}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Entry area bound on the north by the front patio fence. Bound on the south by the public sidewalk. Bound on the east by the western edge of the landscaping. Bound on the west by the western side of the middle column of the entrance.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":101,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":101,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":101,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"><br></span></p></div><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Agave Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":100,"335559737":-20,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Entry plaza bound on the south by the edge of the sidewalk in front of the Library front doors and glass walls. Bound on the north and east by the sidewalk block edge. Bound on the west by landscaping.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":101,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":101,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":101,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"><br></span></p></div><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Burton Barr Central Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":100,"335559737":-20,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">One, (1) North East entry plaza, bound on the north, east and west by the edge of the concrete square and the south by the planter. Two, (2) East entry plaza, bound on the north by the planter, bound on the south east and west by the edge of the concrete square. Three, (3) South east entry plaza, near the bike racks, bound on all sides by the edges of the concrete square, surrounding the tree planter, the north east edge is bound by the curve of the loading area of the parking lot. All areas exclude any graveled areas.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":101,"335559737":72,"335559738":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":101,"335559737":72,"335559738":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":101,"335559737":72,"335559738":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"><br></span></p></div><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Cholla Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":100,"335559737":-20,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Plaza bound on the northwest by the edge of the landscaping nearest the round curve of the front of the building. Bound on the southwest, southeast and northeast by the edges of the concrete square.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":230,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":230,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":230,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"><br></span></p></div><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Desert Broom Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":100,"335559737":-20,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The area is at the east edge of the pedestrian foot bridge. Bound on the northwest and northeast and east by the edges of the concrete squares. Bound on the south by the planter and landscaping.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":101,"335559737":130,"335559738":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":101,"335559737":130,"335559738":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":101,"335559737":130,"335559738":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"><br></span></p></div><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Desert Sage Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":100,"335559737":-20,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Two areas are utilized in the plaza. The first (1) is the southwestern most portion by the parking lot. It is bound on the north, west and south sides by the parking lot and the east side by the edge of the concrete square. The second (2) is north of the plaza landscaping area. It is bound by the south and west by the landscaping and bound on the north and east by the edges of the concrete squares.</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><br></span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":418,"335559738":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}"> </span></p></div><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Harmon Library</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":100,"335559737":-20,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">In the plaza on the plank walkway, nearest the EV charger parking. Bound on the north and west by the parking lot, bound on the south by the landscaping and bound on the east by the edge of the walkway. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":331,"335559738":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":254}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":331,"335559738":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":254}"><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":1,"335559685":101,"335559737":331,"335559738":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":254}"></span></p></div><h3>Ironwood Library</h3><p>Plaza area, closest to the parking lot. It is bound on the north by the fence and landscaping, bound on the east and south by the concrete lines between the square concrete seating cubes and bound on the west by the walkway.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Juniper Library</h3><p>Plaza, northwest of the doorway, surrounding the middle tree planter. Bound on the west by the parking lot. Bound by the north, east and south by lines of the concrete walkway.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Library in Laveen</h3><p>Plaza, bound on the northeast by the square bench. One (1) bound on the northeast and southwest by the square benches. Bound on the northwest and southeast by lines in the concrete. Two (2) rectangle encompassing two square benches and tree, bound by lines in the concrete.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Mesquite Library</h3><p>The first (1) area is on the east side of the front plaza area, nearest the library parking lot. It is bound on the east by the library parking lot, bound on the west by the landscaping planter and bound on the north by the edge of the concrete walkway. The second (2) area is near the middle of the front of the property. It is bound on the south by the library pickup and book drop area, bound on the north by the landscaping and bound on the northeast by the bicycle rack and walkway.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Palo Verde Library</h3><p>The first (1) is bounded by the brick wall on the south. Bounded by the corner of the library building on the west. Bounded by the edge of the cement pad extending halfway between the Community Center and the Library on the north. Bounded by the light post on the cement walkway to the west of the public entrance on the east. The second (2) is on the walkway from the Community Center Parking lot, going east to west. It is located in the center of the walkway, between the 2nd and 3rd tree planters, around the light pole. It is bound on the north, south, east, and west by the concrete sidewalk squares.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Saguaro Library</h3><p>Located on the northern most part of the library’s plaza area, bound on the north and west by the parking lot, and on the northeast by landscaping edge. It is bound on the south by the walkway.<br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p></div>