Marathon County Public Library

ITEM NUMBER: 4.11 a-b

CHAPTER 4: Library

Statements

CODE: Policy

COMPUTER ID: LS-11



Title: Library Initiated Programs as a Resource,

An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.

Effective Date: 11-24-86

Authorized By: Library Board of Trustees

Date of Last Review: 7-2013



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

unserved 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.



ITEM NUMBER: 4.11 b





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 which 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 of 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 and ability to pay.



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