Title: ARLS Regional Policy: Adult Programs
Prepared by: Valerie Bell & Resource Team & Branch Managers – October 6, 2023
Submitted to: ARLS Policy Committee
Approved by: ARLS Board of Trustees – Date: January 24, 1996, Revised, October 19, 2023
ADULT PROGRAMS
Description of Service and Policy
- Adult programs are designed to provide information, education, and recreation to our community Using resources such as print and film material, community resources, displays, and presentations, library-initiated adult programs are conducted at the discretion of the Department Head or Branch Manager. Additional programs may be developed in cooperation with other agencies, organizations, and educational institutions as well as other community resources. Ideas for co-sponsored programs may be proposed by other agencies; however, the design, scheduling, and presentation of all adult programs remains the sole prerogative of the library itself, with regard to staff time, room availability, and general public interest in the proposed topic. Library programs are provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all the people of the community served by the library.
- A particular viewpoint in any library-sponsored program is an expression of the library’s policy of intellectual freedom and access to information, not an endorsement of the specific point of view.
- All adult programs are free and open to the public, but in some special instances, a nominal
fees may be requested from participants for program supplies and craft materials. - A person’s right to attend a library-initiated program should not be denied or abridged
because of origin, race, gender identity or expression, background, or views. The library will make reasonable modifications to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs. People who require special accommodations to attend or participate in a program should alert the library no later than 48 hours before the scheduled program. - Selection of library program topics, speakers, courses, classes, and resource materials will be made by library staff on the basis of the interests and needs of library users and the community. All programs may not be appealing to or appropriate for all patrons. All attendees must abide by the Patron Responsibilities & Conduct Policy, and those who violate this policy or otherwise disrupt a program may be asked to leave. All adult programs will be non-commercial in content.
- As approved by the Library’s Board of Trustees, this Adult Programs Policy Statement
reflects the library’s philosophy regarding free access to information and ideas. Similarly, any patron complaints, concerns, or inquiries will be subject to the same policy regarding library materials.