Sponsorship Policy

 

Approved: January 29, 1998

Revised: January 27, 2025

 

Purpose

This policy is intended to support a welcoming environment and ensure the dignity and safety of the public and staff, while maintaining the security of Toronto Public Library (TPL or “the Library”) property without disruption to library services.

 

Scope

This policy applies to all customers using library services, including any space on or off library property where library service is provided, including library branches, programs and events, online programs, telephone, email, social media, and website.

 

Underlying Principles

This policy is driven by principles as defined in the Library's Values, Vision and Mission and in TPL's Equity Statement and Intellectual Freedom Statement.

TPL is committed to creating and maintaining work and public service environments that are grounded in tolerance, mutual respect, and is trauma-informed so that library customers, partners, staff and the public can freely and equitably access or deliver library services.

 

Policy Statement

Everyone has the right to equal treatment with respect to the access and use of the Library's services and facilities without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, ethnic group, nationality, immigration status, socioeconomic status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, language, religious affiliation, beliefs, age, or any other prohibited grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances. These rules are intended to prevent such conduct and to ensure the dignity and safety of the public and the staff and to maintain the security of library property without disruption to library services. TPL welcomes diversity and supports equity and inclusion by welcoming everyone, without judgement, to pursue their interests at the library, provided they do not violate these Rules of Conduct, the Ontario Human Rights Code, or Canada's Criminal Code or other applicable laws and policies. This is noted in TPL's Equity and Intellectual Freedom Statements.

We acknowledge that TPL has responsibility to ensure that the Library is a culturally safe and relevant space for Indigenous communities in Toronto as noted in TPL's Reconciliation Statement.

TPL is committed to its obligations to protect and support staff under the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act. These rules align with those obligations to support the creation of a safe space for all.

Any behaviour that does not support a welcoming environment and/or violates the Rules of Conduct may result in cost-recovery charges, suspension of library privileges, exclusion from the Library, engagement of law enforcement or another regulatory body, and/or prosecution. These Rules have been approved by the Toronto Public Library Board. An Individual has the right to appeal their exclusion as described in the Rules of Conduct - Exclusion, Reinstatement and Appeals Policy.

  1. Respect and be considerate of others

    Customers are participants in a shared public space and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. Everyone using the space will be courteous, respectful, and understanding of others. Discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Everyone using the space will follow the direction of library staff. At any time, staff may approach customers to intervene or mediate behaviour that does not support a welcoming environment.

    Conduct that violates this principle includes but is not limited to:

    • 1.1 Violent or threatening language or conduct, which includes
      • The exercise of physical force by a person against another that causes or could cause physical injury.
      • An attempt to exercise physical force against another that could cause physical injury.
      • A statement or behaviour that it is reasonable for someone to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against another that could cause physical injury.
    • 1.2 Harassing language or conduct, which includes
      • Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome, including sexual harassment.
      • Code-based harassment, which includes engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome based on one or more of the prohibited grounds listed in the Ontario Human Rights Code, that a person knows or ought to know would be unwelcome, offensive, embarrassing or hurtful.
      • Racial harassment, which is harassment on the ground of race. It may also be associated with the grounds of colour, ancestry, where a person was born, a person's religious belief, ethnic background, citizenship or even a person's language.

        Examples of harassment are outlined in TPL's Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy. Examples of objectionable behaviour in an online environment are outlined in TPL's Online and Social Media Policy.

    • 1.3 Requests for service, or refusal of service from staff, based on prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

  2. Respect and be considerate of shared spaces

    Customers participating in library space are responsible for the appropriate use of library resources and will conduct themselves in a respectful and safe manner.

    Conduct that violates this principle includes, but is not limited to:

    • 2.1 Vandalism, which includes damaging library materials, equipment, or property.
    • 2.2 Theft of library materials, equipment or property, as well as theft of another individual's personal items.
    • 2.3 Disruptive behaviour, which includes any behaviour that impedes others' enjoyment of library services, including but not limited to:
      • Interfering with the designated use of computers and networks.
      • Using unauthorized entrances and exits or entering "Staff Only" areas without permission.
      • Monopolizing library space, furniture, electrical outlets, or equipment resulting in the exclusion of other customers.
      • Obstructing aisles or monopolizing space with items, packages, parcels, or bundles.
      • Occupying designated children's and youth spaces as an adult when not accompanying a child or youth
      • Bringing into the library a wheeled or electrified vehicle other than a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or other accessibility device, or baby carriage stroller
      • Posting notices, distributing circulars or petitions, soliciting or engaging in any commercial activity on library property, as indicated in the Display and Distribution of Information to the Public Policy.
      • Not wearing shirts, shoes and other appropriate attire.

      For greater clarity, the following conduct is permitted:

    • 2.4 Filming and photography for personal use are permitted, except where a recording occurs in situations where there is an expectation of privacy, or where such activity violates the law or conflicts with another rule or library policy.
    • 2.5 Eating and drinking are allowed except in designated areas where they are prohibited. Consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances is not allowed with the exception of events that receive prior permission.
    • 2.6 TPL welcomes service animals to assist persons with disabilities, as indicated in the Library's Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Policy.

  3. Supervise children

    Parents and caregivers are to supervise the activities and choices of those for whom they are accompanying to the library, and are responsible for ensuring that children under their care comply with this policy and all TPL policies.

    Conduct that violates this principle includes but is not limited to:

    • 3.1 Leaving children requiring supervision unattended on library premises

  4. Comply with laws and by-laws

    At all times, customers will ensure that their conduct and the conduct of any person they are supervising, complies with laws, by-laws and TPL policies. Examples of conduct that violates this requirement include but are not limited to:

    • 4.1 Trespassing while under exclusion.
    • 4.2 Disruptive behaviour that violates a law or by-law:
      • Consuming alcoholic beverages or controlled substances
      • Being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in a manner that causes a disruption.
      • Smoking or use of e-cigarettes/vaporizing devices.

 

Specific Directives

In the course of administering and enforcing this policy, TPL may create, collect, use and disclose personal information about customers who violate or are suspected of violating these rules of conduct to notify individuals of violations or exclusions, reinstate individuals or otherwise re-establish a welcoming environment, and document violations or suspected violations. This information is collected under the authority of Public Libraries Act, sections 20(a), 20(d), 20(c). Personal information will be handled and protected according to the TPL Access to Information & Protection of Privacy Policy. TPL may communicate with individuals using contact information provided to us. Questions about how the library handles personal information can be directed to the Privacy Office at Toronto Public Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M2N 5N9, or by telephone: 416-395-5604, or by email: privacy@tpl.ca

 

Accountability

The Director of Branch Operations and Customer Experience is responsible for implementation of this policy.

 

Related Legislation

  • Public Libraries Act
  • Ontario Human Rights Code
  • Canada's Criminal Code
  • Occupational Health & Safety Act

 

Related Library Policies

  • Access to Information & Protection of Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Policy
  • Display and Distribution of Information to the Public Policy.
  • Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy
  • Online and Social Media Policy
  • Rules of Conduct - Exclusion, Reinstatement and Appeals Policy

 

Contact

Director, Branch Operations and Customer Experience

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