Programming Policy

Programming Policy

Responsibility for Program Development

Responsibility for program development rests with the Library Director, who operates within the framework of the library's mission, policies, and strategic plan. Program planning and facilitating is delegated to staff members based on their job responsibilities and areas of expertise. These staff members are guided by this policy and utilize professional skills, collections, equipment, facilities, and feedback from the community in planning and delivering library programs.

Selection Guidelines and Objectives

The Library defines a program as an activity or event in a group setting, developed to meet the educational, social, recreational, cultural, or informational needs of an anticipated audience in the community. The Library hosts programs that are single events, a series, or recurring.

Programs may include, but will not be limited to: lectures, forums, visual and performance art, interactive classes or workshops, continuing education, discussion groups, technology programs, storytimes, class visits, library tours, community outreach, and presentations.

Criteria

When making decisions regarding program content and program selection library staff will consider the following:

• Relevance to the Library’s mission, strategic plan, and service goals

• Community needs and interests, including feedback and suggestions from Lake County constituents

• Potential to promote, supplement, and encourage the use of library collections & resources

• Presentation quality as determined by presenter’s background, record of presentation, and qualifications in content area

• Historical, cultural, or educational significance

• Space required, and the availability of that space

• Budget required

• Staff time

• Balance of current programs being offered at the Library 

• Connection to other community programs or events

Library programs may take place at the Library, offsite locations, and online, and may be delivered by library staff or library partners. 

Funding

The Library receives funding for library programs in a variety of ways including the county's general fund, grants, and support from charitable organizations that support the Library. The Library may also partner with other institutions, organizations, or individuals who have received funding to offer Library programs.

Library programs are always open to the public and offered free of charge. 

Presenters (non-library staff)

Anyone interested in presenting a program may submit a proposal that will be reviewed by the Library director and staff using this policy as a guideline. The Library reserves the right to decline a program for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, staffing, budgetary constraints, space, or scheduling.

Requests will be reviewed by the following library staff:

Children's programs up to age 11:

Becky Ison becky@lakecountypubliclibrary.org

Programs 11+ (including adult programs):

Matt Baumgartner for general inquiries: matt@lakecountypubliclibrary.org 

Bilingual or programs in Spanish:

Lidia Gurrola for bilingual programming: lidia@lakecountypubliclibrary.org 

Co-hosted and Partner Programs

A partnership is a relationship between Lake County Public Library and an institution, non-profit organization, community group, or individual. These relationships involve an effort to provide and/or promote activities and services for the public. Partnerships can range from a one-time collaboration to a long-term arrangement. The Library welcomes partnerships that promote the library's mission statement. Partners must comply with all library policies. Partners that participate in co-hosting a program receive acknowledgment in marketing and PR materials.

Unfortunately, the library's budget limits our ability to pay presenters. Most presenters (either working on their own or as a co-host with the library) participate as volunteers.

Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program, or the views expressed by presenters or participants. Program topics, presenters, and resources are not excluded because of possible controversy.

Library programs are non-commercial in nature; this means programs are free and presenters cannot charge for participation. Programs are not to be used for the solicitation of business. Presenters and performers, whether individual or organizational, shall not use a Library program to petition, advertise, or recruit members or customers. While the Library welcomes professional experts to present at its events, Library programs cannot be used to directly further commercial, political, or partisan purposes. Presenters are permitted to have business-related brochures, flyers, or other information available for attendees to pick up after the program if interested. Presenters cannot distribute such materials as part of the event.

Further, as a government entity the library cannot host political or campaign events.

Individuals reserving spaces within the Library for meetings or events not co-hosted with the Library are responsible for their own marketing. These meetings/events will be listed in the Library’s event calendar but are not promoted by the Library. For more information regarding how to reserve Library space for these kinds of programs, please refer to our Meeting Room Policy.

Performers or presenters may receive permission to sell their creative works as part of a library program. Sale of these works and / or other products at Library programs is not permitted unless authorized by the Library Director. Presenters and performers who are willing may donate a copy of their work to the Library for possible inclusion in the collection. 

Intellectual Freedom

Lake County Public Library offers a wide variety of materials and programs to support its mission of providing cultural and learning opportunities to all. The Library respects the freedom of information of its users and adheres to the principles expressed in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read and Freedom to View.  The Library's goal is to offer a diverse set of ideas and opinions, including those which may be unorthodox or controversial. The Library opposes any attempts by individuals or groups to censor items in its collection or programs it offers.

Parents and guardians are responsible for overseeing their minor children’s use of the Library’s collections and services. The Library does not stand in place of a parent and is not charged with a parent's rights, duties, and responsibilities.

The Library will not act in the role of censor for any age level, material type, or subject matter. Selection of materials and services will not be restricted by the possibility that these items may be accessed by patrons beyond the intended audience. The Library does not use any system of coding, rating, or labeling to identify or segregate materials and services for purposes of censorship.

Access to programs

All library-initiated programs are open to the public, but some meetings and programs may be designed with specific audiences in mind, such as programs intended for children and teens that are geared to their interests and needs. Adults who wish to attend a program specifically designed for children must be accompanied by a child. Tween and teen programs are limited to tweens and teens only, except when they require an adult assistant or companion or otherwise stated in the program's description. Programs targeted toward specific audiences are to be publicized as such.

Every attempt will be made to accommodate all who wish to attend a program. However, when safety, cost, or the success of a program requires it, attendance may be limited. Admittance will be determined on a first come, first served basis, either through advance registration, or at the door. The Library reserves the right to deny attendance to anyone becoming disruptive to audience members or the program facilitator, and to anyone in violation of the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy.

Cancellations

Programs may be canceled for several reasons, including severe weather, absence of the presenter, or low registration. Canceled programs are not automatically rescheduled. When possible, advanced notification of program cancellations will be made on the Library’s online calendar of events and by other appropriate communication channels.