Designated Non-Public Space Policy

Background and Definitions

The Hartford Public Library (HPL) maintains and operates numerous facilities and sponsors off-site services in the community. This policy is intended to improve safety for people using HPL facilities and for the staff. HPL’s facilities offer both public and non-public spaces.

Public spaces are those areas where the general public are welcome.

Non-public spaces are those areas where private interactions, services, counseling or training is taking place where the general public (or those not registered for the service, program, counseling or training) are not permitted. Non-public spaces also include staff work areas. Non-public spaces may or may not be locked spaces. Non-public spaces are designated by signage.

Policy The Hartford Public Library does not permit general, public access to the following areas within its facilities:

• Administrative Offices

•Staff work areas

•Classrooms, service offices, training centers, program rooms when used for non-public meetings, trainings, programs or events

In addition, HPL may offer programs and/or services in areas within another agency’s facility or on their property; to the extent that any of those services are not available to the general public, those spaces would be considered non-public spaces for the time HPL is operating the service or program.

Signage will be affixed to non-public spaces designating “Non-Public Area” within HPL facilities.

Procedure

Non-Public Areas in each HPL service location or outreach vehicles:

• Downtown Library

    o All administrative offices

    o All staff work areas

    o Areas/rooms where library staff meet privately with customers/clients

    o Staff lounge

    o Classrooms and program rooms when in use for programs and services that require registration

    o YOUmedia area when designated for sole use by YOUmedia youth

    o All UConn leased spaces (limited to students, faculty and staff)

• Albany

    o Staff workroom

    o Program room when in use for programs and services that require registration

    o YOUmedia area when designated for sole use by YOUmedia youth

• Barbour

    o Staff workroom

• Camp Field

    o Staff workroom

    o Basement

• Dwight

    o Staff workroom

• Goodwin o Entire building

• Park Street Library @ the Lyric

    o Staff workroom

    o Program and meeting rooms when in use for services that require registration

• Ropkins

    o Staff workroom

• Boundless@Rawson

    o Entire space except for posted hours when open to the public

▪ Staff workroom is non-public if/when library space is open to the public

• Boundless@West Middle

    o Entire space

• Library on Wheels (LOW)

    o Interior LOW space except for times when public is invited to enter vehicle

Room Reservation Related Protocols – System Wide

• Program Planners must ensure Communico (room reservation system) reflects whether the use of a space is for registered participants only or if rooms are reserved for private use (i.e. entities other than HPL).

Approved by the HPL Board of Directors: February 6, 2025