Last week, as part of our standard procedures, the Northbrook Public Library reached out to the cardholder who reserved a meeting room for a film screening on Wednesday, September 18. This follow-up was conducted to verify compliance with the Library's established reservation requirements.
Yesterday, the cardholder informed the Library that “none of this will be happening.” Per the cardholder’s direction, the Library has removed the booking from our reservation system and the film screening will not be held at the Library on September 18.
As a public, government institution, the Library is bound by the laws of our country, including the U.S. Constitution and the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment, which guarantees individuals’ right to express their views, free from government interference, even when those views may challenge or provoke. The library will continue to uphold this Constitutional protection as it applies to all viewpoints with regard to room bookings.
As our meeting room policy outlines, “the Library reserves the right to charge additional fees if needed to ensure compliance with any applicable local, state or federal laws or in the interest of safety.” Many have shared plans to attend in protest. The Library supports everyone’s right to peacefully protest. The Library was in communication with the organizers of the film screening, Village and the Northbrook Police Department to ensure everyone can safely exercise their Constitutional rights. The Northbrook Police Department advised that it was necessary to hire outside licensed, bonded and insured security and provided a specific recommendation for a qualified firm, which we shared with the room booker. The cardholder was asked to provide the following to the Library by Tuesday, September 10:
- Payment for outside licensed, bonded, and insured security staff required by the Library, as recommended by the Northbrook Police Department, to protect the safety of attendees and others present at the Library at the time of the screening
- Day-of event liability insurance sufficient to meet the needs required by the Library’s liability insurance
- A written plan detailing the registration process and safety measures
While this screening, like other patron room bookings, was not sponsored or endorsed by the Library, we recognize that it evoked pain and anger for many of our community members as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the devastating loss of life. Please know that we do understand that this situation has been extremely challenging, and we are here to listen.
If you have further questions or concerns, please reach out to Kate Hall, Northbrook Library Executive Director, at khall@northbrook.info or to the Board of Trustees at board@northbrook.info or at their next meeting in the library on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, IL.
