1.1 First Amendment Rights at the Library
The Library plays a role in supporting democracy and self-government, personal development and social progress, and every individual’s inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To that end, the Library champions the ideals of intellectual freedom and pursues equity in its operations.
The Library operates as a “designated public forum”, where First Amendment activities are allowed, subject to regulation by the Library’s policies and Code of Conduct.
1.2 Intellectual Freedom
Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from multiple points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to expression of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause, or movement may be explored. In accordance with this, the Library will not prohibit or remove materials solely because of opinions of individuals or external groups.
The Library subscribes to the provisions of the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, the Freedom to View statement, Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors, and Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights as adopted by the American Library Association. In support of the rights of the residents of Salt Lake City to free speech, expression, and assembly, the Library provides access to a broad and diverse range of ideas, materials, information, resources, experiences, and services, including those that represent diverse points of view on current and historical issues.
A customer’s right to use the Library will not be denied or abridged because of race, nationality, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, age, socioeconomic status, or social, political, or religious views, and all individuals have the right to choose the Library resources they use consistent with Library policies.
The Library does not restrict access by minors to any materials or part of the public spaces in the Library except in accordance with federal, state, or local law. Responsibility for access and content choices of minors rests with parents, guardians, and/or caregivers. Library employees do not act as guardians of minors in the absence of parents or guardians.
The Library does not interpret or provide analysis of the information in our collection or the resources we connect individuals with. Staff will not provide direct medical, legal, or financial advice and are not experts in these areas. Customers may not rely on medical, legal, or financial advice provided by Library Staff.
1.3 Equity
Equity is the allocation of resources and opportunities as needed to create equal outcomes for all community members. The equity process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures. Our policies strive to provide structure for customers to utilize library services in a safe and welcoming space where they are treated with dignity and respect, without fear of discrimination.
In service of its mission, the Library seeks to identify and actively dismantle barriers to equity in the services it provides in order to connect community members to materials, information, resources, experiences and services that can introduce limitless opportunities and drive equal outcomes.
Through its policies and practices, the Library strives to examine and dismantle organizational and personal biases that perpetuate systems of oppression and meaningfully engage with marginalized communities to eliminate discrimination in the development, delivery, and evaluation of Library services and resources.
Approved by Board of Directors 9/26/22