Policy Statement
This Christian Science Reading Room is open to the general public and is managed and operated by The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. All are welcome here, regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, deafness, blindness, or any physical or mental disability, or ancestry. In order to provide a safe and appropriate environment at the Reading Room that allows all visitors to use Reading Room facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours, the Reading Room has adopted the following rules and guidelines. Violation of the following code of behavior, governing the use of the Reading Room by visitors, may result in being asked to leave. Please help us keep this space welcoming for all.
Appropriate Reading Room Use Policy
Respect for other Reading Room users and Reading Room staff shall be maintained at all times.
Visitors shall engage in activities associated with the use of a public Christian Science Reading Room. Visitors not participating in an event, using Reading Room materials, or abiding by the noise policy may be asked to leave the building or event.
Shouting or other disruptive behavior is not allowed in the Reading Room.
Lying down or sleeping in the Reading Room or on the Reading Room patio is not allowed.
Consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the building or on the Reading Room patio is prohibited.
Smoking (including e-cigarettes), chewing and other tobacco is not allowed inside the Reading Room or on the patio.
Reading Room bathrooms may not be used for bathing or shampooing, shaving, or doing laundry.
Reading Room users are responsible for their personal property. Please do not leave items unattended. The staff reserves the right to limit the size and number of items brought into the Reading Room. The How Do you See the World? experience, located around the corner at 210 Massachusetts Avenue, has a free baggage check, which visitors to the Reading Room are welcome to use.
The Reading Room phone is not for public use (employees only may use the phone).
Appropriate attire must be worn in the Reading Room at all times (e.g. shirt, pants, and shoes)
No soliciting of goods and services is allowed in the Reading Room or on Reading Room grounds.
Any Reading Room user, in the opinion of the staff, who is engaging in conduct that interferes with the orderly operation of the Reading Room, will be asked to leave. Reading Room employees will contact Security or the police if necessary.
Use of the Reading Room requires respect for others who are also enjoying the Reading Room facilities and services. In order to allow all of our patrons to use the Reading Room, shouting or other disruptive behavior is not allowed.
There are two areas in the Reading Room specially dedicated to maintaining quiet: the two study “nooks” on the Clearway St. side of the Reading Room. We ask that patrons using these areas refrain from any noisy activity, including but not limited to talking in person or on a device, allowing cell phone notifications or ringers to sound, using handheld audio devices, or similarly disruptive noises.
Food is permitted in the Reading Room. Food and beverages should not be disruptive (i.e. messy, noisy, etc.) to others or damage Reading Room property. If so, staff will use their discretion in relocating patrons or asking them to put their food away. Carrying open alcoholic drinks is not permitted in the Reading Room. If a patron puts the alcohol away when instructed, the Associate Librarians may exercise their discretion to allow the patron to remain.
Occasionally, the Reading Room sponsors events which include food service. The location and food guidelines specific to each sponsored event are selected and approved by Reading Room Management.
The Reading Room welcomes children of all ages and strives to create a warm, inviting environment. We love to have frequent visits by children and their families! That being said, the Reading Room staff does not provide child care nor assume responsibility for the care or safety of children while visiting the Reading Room.
It is the responsibility of parents/guardians or their designated caregivers to provide for the safety and wellbeing of their children while visiting the Reading Room. A designated caregiver must be an adult or mature teenager who is responsible, willing, and capable of providing adequate care. Children may not be left alone in the Reading Room, or in the care of individuals unable or unwilling to provide adequate care.
Young children must be accompanied and directly supervised (within eyesight and earshot) by a parent/guardian or designated caregiver at all times in the Reading Room. Very young children should be closely supervised (within the same physical space). Infants or very young children should not be left in the care of teenage caregivers for an extended period of time. An exception may be made for mature older children or teenagers, who may be in the Reading Room by themselves for a period of time appropriate for their age and level of engagement, provided they have a way to promptly reach a parent or guardian when needed. This exception also applies to mature teenagers who are acting as designated caregivers for younger children.
All events must be sponsored or co-sponsored by The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
The multipurpose room in the Reading Room is to be used for Reading Room events, including children’s activities, or reading, studying and contemplation when events are not taking place.
Only service animals are permitted inside the Reading Room. Service animals must be under the control of their owners at all times.
As defined under The Massachusetts Service Animal Law, a service animal is “a dog that accompanies an individual with a sensory and or physical disability.” In the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” The ADA further states: “only dogs meet the definition of service animal under the ADA, with the exception of miniature horses.”
Animals providing emotional support, comfort, and/or therapy are not permitted inside Plaza buildings unless they qualify as service animals, as defined above.