The Frisco Public Library’s new service policy sets aside three outdoor spaces for “free speech activities.” (Community Impact staff)
The Frisco Public Library will now use free expression areas to balance library operations with residents’ right to free speech.
Frisco City Council approved the change as part of the library’s new service policy at a Feb. 3 work session. Free expression areas are “designated outdoor areas for peaceful assembly and free speech activities,” according to city documents.
The details
Library Director Shelley Holley said the free expression areas are for people who want to “discuss a topic of interest that is not commercial speech.”
“It’s opened up for any kind of expressive activity that’s authorized in the law,” city attorney Ryan Pittman said. “So no restriction as to topic, very little restriction as to conduct of expression in those specific zones.”
People in the free expression areas still have to follow library policy regarding disruptive behavior, Holley said.
The policy designates three free expression areas, all of which are outside the library. Holley said the areas were chosen away from main entrances to minimize the impact on patrons.
Groups of three people or less can use the areas without giving notice, and groups of four or more people have to schedule use of the free expression areas at least 10 business days in advance, according to the policy.
Library director Shelley Holley said the free expression areas are located away from main entrances. (Courtesy city of Frisco)
Explained
When it comes to traditional public forums like sidewalks and public parks, the city’s ability to regulate free speech “is almost zero,” Pittman said at the work session.
In contrast, the library is a limited public forum, which means that Frisco officials can place certain restrictions on how residents use the space to exercise their First Amendment rights.
“Essentially, libraries are considered limited public forums, and as a limited public forum, we can define manner, place and time for free expression,” Holley said.
The library is not required to have free expression areas, Pittman said. In the absence of a free expression area policy, all areas of the library would be available for free speech activities.
“We are doing this because we can't control everywhere, but if we can put people in a specific spot, then we can at least control that specific spot,” City Manager Wes Pierson said.
City officials said that while they have not had any situations in Frisco where the free expression areas would be necessary, they decided to move forward with the policy as a preventive measure.
“We are seeing an increase of people showing up places and being disruptive,” Pierson said.
Going forward
The library’s website is being updated to reflect the new service policy.
In the meantime, patrons can find a map of the designated areas here.
