Petitions and Nomination Papers

Petitions and Nomination Papers Policy

The Wayland Free Public Library recognizes the presentation of petitions and the distribution of literature by individuals and groups consistent with applicable constitutional principles. The Library also recognizes the rights of its patrons and employees to enter, use and leave the Library safely, without being impeded or unduly hindered. As a result, the Library allows people to circulate petitions and nomination papers on Library property subject to the following guidelines:

1. To this end, the Library Director designates the Lower Lobby, Friends’ garden area and walkways as areas in which signatures may be collected, and requires that the person(s) collecting signatures may neither interfere with the ongoing activities of the library, nor prevent library users from freely entering or leaving the building. Only one person at a time is permitted to solicit signatures for a single petition or leaflet.
2. This person shall not block, hinder, interfere or otherwise impede patrons and staff wishing to exit or enter the building, nor seek to intimidate patrons or staff into signing a petition.
3. No distribution of literature, or solicitation is permitted for the purposes of selling items, merchandise, tickets, or other for-profit activities.
4. Fundraising activities are not permitted by any person or organization when the purpose is to benefit a group or organization other than the Library.
5. Anyone wishing to solicit signatures for a petition shall inform Library staff during normal business hours of their desire and intent to solicit signatures for a petition.
6. The Library staff, Friends of the Wayland Free Public Library, and members of the Library Board of Trustees are exempt from the above constraints in promoting Library activities and issues.

Any person or group who does not abide by the conditions stated above or creates a nuisance such that the regular business of the Library is disrupted shall be required to immediately cease all activities.

The presence of persons circulating petitions for signatures or distributing leaflets outside a library facility does not constitute the Library’s endorsement of any candidate, nor does it constitute support or opposition of the subject matter of any initiative or referendum. The presence of a person circulating petitions or distributing leaflets outside a library facility does not constitute the Library’s endorsement of the policies, beliefs or political affiliations of any person or group circulating petitions for signatures or distributing leaflets.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees 3/16/2022