SUMMARY 

 

 

The purpose of this regulation is to establish 
guarantees and restrictions regarding handout areas, 
bulletin boards and the library website for use by the 
public in libraries. 

 

Effective Date: 

 

July 12, 2012 

 

Reviewed 

October 4, 2017 

September 8, 2022 

October 13, 2022 

 

DEFINITION AND 
POLICY 

 

a. Items on public forum bulletin boards publicize 
information of a civic, cultural, educational, or 
recreational nature, regarding or provided by 
community-related, non-profit organizations. The 
intent is to give access to community information. To 
achieve this goal, most material is displayed for one 
month only. Preference is given to organizations 
based in Johnson County. Physical areas are all 
designated as public forum areas and are subject to the 
intellectual freedom policies of the library. Non-public 
forum bulletin boards are limited to library and 
government use. 

 

Posted comments or information on the library website 
or any/all applicable social media websites are subject 
to the approval of Johnson County Library staff. It must 
publicize information of a civic, cultural, educational, or 
recreational nature, regarding or provided by 
community-related, non-profit organizations. The intent 
is to give access to community information. 

 

POLICY ON 
PROVIDING 
SPACE AND 
LIMITING TYPE 
OF MATERIAL 

 

b. Effective April 26, 1995, the library will, at all service 
points, provide limited space for the display and 
distribution of information regarding and provided by 
community-related, non-profit organizations in our 
buildings only. This does not apply to online boards. 
Exception: Community newspapers - newspapers 




1. to establish size restrictions on items posted or 
distributed, 

 

produced by for-profit organizations but distributed free 
of charge, with or without advertising, that contain news 
and feature articles relevant to the local community. In 
order to provide these services for a broad range of 
viewpoints and interests, the County Librarian is 
authorized: 

 

 

Size 

 

Quantities 

2. to restrict, on an equitable basis, the quantities of 
brochures to be distributed, and 

 

 

Duration 

3. to impose restrictions on the length of time during 
which a poster will be posted or a brochure distributed. 

 

 

EQUITABILITY 
GUARANTEE 

c. Space for the display and distribution of information 
is available on a limited basis at all libraries on an 
equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations 
of individuals or groups requesting their use and will not 
be denied to anyone based solely on age. The library 
will attempt to ensure display and distribution of 
materials and information presenting all points of view. 
In the event that the County Librarian denies the 
display of materials in accordance with this policy, the 
individual or group requesting such display may appeal 
the decision in writing to the Library Board, which shall 
consider the appeal at its next regularly scheduled 
meeting. 

 

 October 13, 2022 

 

 ARM 20-80-23 End