Purpose
Mercer County Public Library offers diverse programming to provide the community with informational, entertaining, or cultural experiences and to promote library materials, facilities, and services. Programs may be conducted at a library location, elsewhere in the community, or virtually.
Library staff plan programs as part of their regular job duties under the supervision of the Library Director. Programs will be developed considering the following criteria:
- Community needs and interests
- Connection to library collections, resources, exhibits, and programs
- Relevance of content for the intended age
- Educational or entertainment value
- Relation to community history or heritage
- Partnership opportunities with community organizations and events
- Presenter qualifications
- Available programming space
- Budget constraints
Most library programs will be conducted by staff members, but the library may also engage outside performers or speakers. Library sponsored programs are not for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes or the solicitation of business. The library will make reasonable efforts to ensure that differing viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences are represented in its program offerings and presenters. Sponsoring a program does not constitute an endorsement by the library of the views expressed by presenters or participants. Only library-sponsored programs are promoted via the library’s website, social media, and print advertising materials.
Media Use in Library-Sponsored Programs
Recorded music, movies, and other media used in library-sponsored programs should fall within the selection criteria of the library’s collection development policy. Only resources covered by paid viewing or listening rights for public performance will be used, in accordance with state, federal, and international laws regarding copyright and intellectual property. Other media that do not fall under the jurisdiction of such paid rights will not be used for public performance without express release or permission from the creator(s) and/or copyright holder(s) of the material in question.
A library staff member or volunteer should be present at all times during library-sponsored media presentations. Unrated films will not be shown unless they fall into the category of local-interest / high-interest documentary. Unrated documentaries will be shown only at adult programs (those aimed at ages 18 and over). Generally, programs will only show films or programs for the appropriate age group, and will be advertised accordingly. Only media bearing the equivalent of a G or PG rating will be shown for elementary school aged participants, and films shown to teens may not have a rating higher than PG-13 or TV-14.
Program Participation
All library programs are free and open to the public, but registration may sometimes be required for planning purposes. Items that are pertinent to the programs (e.g. books, musical recordings, etc.) may be sold at library-sponsored events such as author talks and musical performances. Purchase of materials will not be required for participation in library programs. Presenters may not require the collection of contact information from program attendees, but may provide their own contact information so that attendees can voluntarily contact them after the program has concluded.
The library may partner with local community organizations to sponsor one-time or short-term programs. However, because of limited staff time, the library is not able to sponsor outside clubs or groups of individuals. Such groups are encouraged to use library facilities such as the meeting room to schedule their meetings independently.
Programs will be provided for all ages, but individual events may not be suitable for every age. Suggested age ranges will be provided for each program. Staff program organizers may refuse to admit patrons outside the suggested age range if such patrons’ participation poses a safety concern (such as a choking hazard for small children) or may disrupt the program (e.g. an adult attempting to join a teen program). Patrons are encouraged to contact library staff for more information about a program’s content and required skills if they have questions. Parents or guardians are responsible for decisions regarding the appropriateness for their own child of an individual program designed for their child’s age range.
Patrons are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the library’s Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy and Children’s Use of the Library Policy at all times, including during library-sponsored programs.
The library will make reasonable accommodations for those with special needs who wish to attend programs. The library requests notice of the need for accommodation at least 48 hours before the program.
Patrons with questions or concerns about library programming should contact the Library Director. Mercer County residents may request that a program be reviewed for reconsideration by submitting a Request for Review of Library Resource form. Requests for review of programs will be considered in the same manner as requests for reconsideration of library materials as outlined in MCPL’s Citizen’s Request for Review of Library Resources Policy.