Library Information
Policy on Pamphlet Racks
Adopted March 10, 1993
Purpose of the Pamphlet Racks
The purpose of the library's pamphlet racks is to make available free copies of pamphlets and brochures that inform the public about:
- Rochester Public Library and library-related services;
- social services and community activities deemed by the library to be of important interest to the community; and
- other unsolicited brochures such as those offering points of view.
Labeling of Pamphlet Racks
The racks containing library-related pamphlets will be labeled Rochester Public Library and Library-Related Services.
The racks containing all other pamphlets will be identified as Community Organizations, Services, and Activities.
The library does not restrict material on the basis of a political, religious, economic, or social point of view. Material is not judged unsuitable merely because it communicates controversial or unpopular opinions; however, placement of pamphlets in the racks does not imply library endorsement.
Procedures for Placing Pamphlets in Racks
Only designated library staff may place pamphlets in the racks. Pamphlets placed in the racks by the public will be removed.
Patrons who wish to provide pamphlets for placement in the racks must bring the pamphlets to the Library Director's office. Designated library staff maintain a log of pamphlets brought to the office. The log identifies the pamphlet title, the number of copies provided, the date they were provided, and the name and phone number of the person providing the pamphlets.
Criteria for Acceptability of Pamphlets
The criteria for acceptable pamphlets and brochures are the same as for books and periodicals in the collection. The library does not restrict material on the basis of its political, religious, economic or social point of view. Material is not judged unsuitable merely because it espouses controversial or unpopular opinions.
No pamphlet or other literature will be accepted unless it includes in its text the name and address of the individual or group which produced it.
The library reserves the right to restrict the number of pamphlets displayed and the quantity of each pamphlet displayed. The criteria for that judgement are the following:
- The amount of space available. Copies of any one pamphlet may not occupy more than one slot in the rack.
- The length of time a pamphlet has been displayed. If the racks become full, designated library staff will make space for new unsolicited pamphlets by removing unsolicited pamphlets that have been displayed the longest. If space becomes available, pamphlets that have been removed may be displayed again.
The pamphlets may describe services for which a fee is charged, so long as the pamphlet clearly states that the services are not free.
The following materials are not acceptable in the pamphlet racks:
- Notices, advertisements, or information about commercial products or services for sale by for-profit entities
- Notices, advertisements, or information about individual, neighborhood, or estate sales
- Giveaways
- Personal
last updated: 4/29/08