Programming Policy

Policy # 028

Approved: August 28, 2006
Effective: August 28, 2006

Mission Statement

Kalamazoo Public Library champions reading, ignites imagination and ensures access to information and ideas

Introduction

Programming, a key resource offered by Kalamazoo Public Library, is integral to achieving the library's mission:

The Kalamazoo Public Library Board of Trustees delegates development and presentation of programs to the library director.

The PROGRAMMING POLICY guides staff responsible for program development and documents programming guidelines for Kalamazoo Public Library District residents.

Basic to the Policy is the American Library Association's statement, “Library-Initiated Programs as a Resource,” an interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. The statement is appended to this document.

The library upholds principles of intellectual freedom and supports the rights of individuals to read, speak, view and exchange points of view. In order to provide access to diverse perspectives, the library presents a variety of programs. Topics and speakers are not excluded from library programs because of possible controversy. Sponsorship by the library does not constitute endorsement of program content.

Programming Objectives

Programs offer opportunities to highlight collections, promote other services and share information and expertise. They are effective vehicles for outreach, allowing the library to forge partnerships with external groups and enhancing the library's stature in the community. Programs support the library's role as a civic gathering place, help make the library a destination and attract regular and new users of all ages and backgrounds. Programs are intended to further the mission of the library and are consistent with the library's core values.

Programs must meet one or more of the following objectives:

To nurture appreciation for books and reading
To promote literacy and lifelong learning
To educate or inform on a variety of topics
To provide a forum for exchanging ideas
To promote cultural awareness
To respond to current issues facing the community and society
To provide free leisure activities

Scope of Programs

The library presents programs for various age groups, cultures, backgrounds and interest groups. Programs may target a general audience or be tailored to an age-specific audience.

Types of library programs include, but are not limited to:

Book discussions
Storytimes/storytelling
Family literacy programs
Author visits/readings
Artistic performances
Film showings
Demonstrations and workshops
Instructional classes/training sessions
Lectures and presentations
Exhibits and associated programs
Community forums
Library tours and orientations

Program presenters include library staff with relevant skills or expertise, volunteers or staff from co-sponsoring organizations, local or visiting authors and performing artists, local or visiting speakers with recognized credentials or relevant experience and qualified instructors and trainers. The library regards programming as an essential aspect of service to youth. Programs convey excitement about books, reading and research. They aid in social development and help build critical thinking and problem solving skills. Programs for children and teens foster life-long use of the library.

Programming Guidelines

Program selection and development are subject to the following guidelines:

Program content is appropriate for group presentation.
Space and physical arrangement are safe and conducive to effective program delivery.
Programs are open to all, including district non-residents and non-cardholders; pre-registration may be required; some programs are limited to age-specific audiences.
Admission to library programs is free; a small fee for materials may be charged.
Programs are non-commercial; presenters may have a business affiliation, but no solicitation or promotion for business purposes will be permitted.
Sale of books/CDs/art work by authors/performers/artists is permitted as part of a library program when arranged for in advance.
The library may co-sponsor programs with entities whose mission and goals are compatible. Co-sponsorship decisions are made on the basis of shared interest, responsibility and benefits.
Program suggestions from the public and/or unsolicited offers from individuals or organizations to present programs will be evaluated by the same standards used to select library-initiated programs.
Programs are held in library facilities when possible and appropriate; meeting room capacities will be observed. Other locations will be considered when the library is not equipped to handle an event or an alternate venue will encourage access or attendance.
Library administration must approve program sites outside the library district. v Individuals with disabilities who contact the library up to one week in advance will be accommodated to the best of the library's ability.

Conclusion

Through programming, the library responds to emerging community interests as well as established interests and demand. Expanding areas of knowledge, technological advances, changing social values and new cultural trends require program planners to keep pace with new developments.

This PROGRAMMING POLICY, as adopted by the library's Board of Trustees, will be reviewed by the library director, professional staff and the Board of Trustees at least every five years.

Library-Initiated Programs as a Resource:

An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Library-initiated programs support the mission of the library by providing users with additional opportunities for information, education, and recreation. Article I of the Library Bill of Rights states: “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.”

Library-initiated programs take advantage of library staff expertise, collections, services and facilities to increase access to information and information resources. Library-initiated programs introduce users and potential users to the resources of the library and to the library's primary function as a facilitator of information access. The library may participate in cooperative or joint programs with other agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals as part of its own effort to address information needs and to facilitate information access in the community the library serves.

Library-initiated programs on site and in other locations include, but are not limited to, speeches, community forums, discussion groups, demonstrations, displays, and live or media presentations.

Libraries serving multilingual or multicultural communities should make efforts to accommodate the information needs of those for whom English is a second language. Library-initiated programs that cross language and cultural barriers introduce otherwise underserved populations to the resources of the library and provide access to information.

Library-initiated programs “should not be proscribed or removed [or canceled] because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval” of the contents of the program or the views expressed by the participants, as stated in Article II of the Library Bill of Rights. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by the participants, any more than the purchase of material for the library collection constitutes an endorsement of the contents of the material or the views of its creator.

Library-initiated programs are a library resource, and, as such, are developed in accordance with written guidelines, as approved and adopted by the library's policy-making body. These guidelines should include an endorsement of the Library Bill of Rights and set forth the library's commitment to free and open access to information and ideas for all users.

Library staff select topics, speakers and resource materials for library-initiated programs based on the interests and information needs of the community. Topics, speakers and resource materials are not excluded from library-initiated programs because of possible controversy. Concerns, questions or complaints about library-initiated programs are handled according to the same written policy and procedures that govern reconsiderations of other library resources.

Library-initiated programs are offered free of charge and are open to all. Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states: “A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.”

The “right to use a library” encompasses all the resources the library offers, including the right to attend library-initiated programs. Libraries do not deny or abridge access to library resources, including library-initiated programs, based on an individual's economic background or ability to pay.

Adopted January 27, 1982, by the ALA Council; amended June 26, 1990; July 12, 2000