Administrative Regulation: Petitioning and Protests
Document Number: ARM 20-80-24
Tab: Patron Services
Section: Facilities Usage
Subject: Petitioning and protests
Summary
This regulation describes the Library Board’s policy on reacting to public demonstrations within designated petitioning zones on Library property, which may include protests, petitioning for signatures, personal campaigning, and distribution of literature.
Effective Date:
August 17, 2011
Reviewed/Reaffirmed:
October 4, 2017
October 27, 2021
July 14, 2022
April 29, 2025
July 9, 2026
Policy
a. Petitioning for signatures and distribution of literature is permitted on Library property in areas designated by the County Librarian, or the County Librarian’s designee, unless the activity obstructs traffic or interferes with Library patrons’ use of the Library.
b. Peaceful demonstrations and picketing or protesting are permitted on Library property outside Library buildings in petitioning zone areas designated by the County Librarian, or the County Librarian’s designee, unless the activity obstructs traffic or interferes with Library patrons’ use of the Library. Peaceful demonstrations and picketing or protesting are not permitted inside Library buildings, except during scheduled meetings in Library meeting rooms in accordance with ARM 20-80-26, provided, protesters may not stand outside of Library meeting rooms to protest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if peaceful demonstrations and picketing or protesting disrupt a meeting’s purpose or activities, Library personnel may redirect protesters to the exterior petitioning zone or may call local police, pursuant to our Patron Code of Behavior 20-10-50.
Limited Expectations for Petitioning and Distribution of Literature
Not-for-profit organizations that enter MOUs or partnership agreements with the Library and local, state and federal government agencies who wish to distribute informational literature may conduct such activities outside designated petitioning zones, pursuant to the regulations established in ARM 20-80-20.
Legal
c. Demonstrators, protesters, and picketers are responsible for complying with and following the Library Administrative Regulation Manual and all laws, including municipal rules and regulations.
Exception for Elections
d. At any time when a Johnson County Library facility is used as a polling place on election day or as an advance voting site during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting, the County Librarian will temporarily relocate a library’s designated petitioning zone if the petitioning zone is within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance of the library facility, in accordance with KSA 25-2430 »; provided, to the extent relocation on library property is not reasonably feasible, the County Librarian will temporarily close the designated petitioning zone for the period when the facility is used a polling place.
Library is Neutral
e. Johnson County Library maintains a content and viewpoint neutral position regarding any activity that takes place on library property.
Procedures
The County Librarian maintains written procedures to implement the terms of this policy.
Review Date: July 9, 2026
ARM 20-80-24 End