1. Purpose

The purpose of the Buena Park Library District’s (“District”) Expressive Activity Policy is to recognize and support the public's right to free speech including presenting speeches, distributing petitions or other information, advocating views or positions, or engaging in other expressive activity. The policy also ensures the District’s ability to provide library services to the public in a safe and orderly manner, to protect District property, ensure patron access and privacy, and provide unobstructed ingress and egress to District property.

2. Authority

The area outside the library building is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on those wishing to use the area for expressive activity. The District has the authority to make reasonable rules that are universally applicable and content neutral regarding the use of District property.

3. Rules and Requirements

The following rules shall apply to individuals or groups participating in expressive activity outside the library building:

a.      The conduct of persons presenting speeches, distributing petitions or other information, advocating views or positions, or engaging in other expressive activity on District property must be in compliance with Buena Park Library District policies, including the Rules of Conduct, and federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and statutes.

b.      Expressive activity outside the library is prohibited within fifteen feet of the entrance to the library building and shall not block nor hinder, interfere or otherwise impede patrons and staff wishing to enter or exit the library building or parking lot.

c.      Loud talking, shouting, or yelling that disrupts those using the library interior for its intended purpose is prohibited.

d.      A table and/or chair may be used by those participating in expressive activity, but they may not cause pedestrian or traffic congestion or become a safety hazard.

e.      Posters are permitted so long as they are held by a person or placed on, leaned against or hung from the permitted table and/or chair and do not cause a safety hazard.

f.        Any expressive activity shall not obstruct the benches, bike racks, and book drop located on the library grounds.

g.      Leafleting on vehicles in the library parking lot is prohibited.

h.      No person shall solicit and receive funds in a continuous and repetitive manner with passers-by where funds are immediately received on the premises. Solicitation or distribution of materials requesting future donations where funds are not immediately received on the premises is permitted.

i.        To maintain the premises free of debris and litter, materials including, but not limited to, posters, flyers, placards, brochures, banners, or signs may not be left unattended on library grounds. District staff will remove and dispose of any unattended materials.

j.        The District reserves the right to place a sign indicating that the views expressed are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the District in the area where expressive activity is taking place.

4. Enforcement

Any person or group who does not comply with the rules stated above or who disrupts the regular business of the District shall be required to comply with the above-referenced rules and/or immediately cease their disruptive activities. Violations of the Library Rules of Conduct are subject to the enforcement and appeal procedure described in the Library Rules of Conduct Policy.

Effective:12/15/1980
Revised:12/06/2016
Revised:12/02/2025

(Retitled Expressive Activity Policy from Solicitations or Distribution of Materials on Library Premises on 12/02/2025)

2025-12-2 Expressive Activity Policy.pdf