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Programming Policy

Children in Indoor Playground

Library Programming Information

The Mission of the Webster Parish Library is to promote an atmosphere of community, creativity, and learning, and to provide evolving resources, services, and technology to all. As a part of achieving this mission, the Library regularly offers educational and entertaining programs for patrons of all ages.

Programs complement other library services by providing an opportunity to highlight collections, promote services and share knowledge and expertise. They are a strong mechanism for outreach and promotion which allow the library to initiate partnerships with a wide variety of groups and individuals in order to attract both regular and new users of all ages and backgrounds. Programs raise the library’s profile in the community and have a positive impact on library use.

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Library programs benefit the community by:

  • being responsive to current interests

  • serving as a forum for idea sharing, information gathering and education

  • developing information literacy

  • offering training and assistance with new technologies

  • fostering a love of reading and learning

  • providing early literacy experiences to young children

  • providing a safe, welcoming environment for meeting with others

  • community awareness/development

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE SELECTION AND PRESENTATION OF PROGRAMS

 

  1. All programs are intended to further the mission of the Library. They should meet educational, recreational, and/or civic needs.

  2. Whenever possible, programs will make use of the skills and talents of individuals and organizations from our community and region.

  3. All programs will be open to the public and free whenever possible. Under special circumstances at the discretion of the Director, a nominal fee may be charged. Attendance may be limited if the nature of the program requires it or if there is limited space. If attendance is limited, attendance will be granted on a first come first serve basis.

  4. Registration may be required when space is limited or for planning purposes. In some cases, the nature and success of a program may require a limited attendance based on age. For example, programs intended for children and teens that are geared to their interest or developmental needs may be restricted based on age.

  5. Every program will have one or more individuals designated as supervisor. The supervisor will be responsible for setting up and cleaning up the meeting space and ensuring that the program proceeds in an orderly fashion.

  6. The supervisor of the program will keep a count of the number of people who attend and, if applicable, inform the Children’s Department staff of that count. Children and adults will be counted separately.

  7. Unsolicited offers from individuals or organizations to present programs will be analyzed by the Director on a case-by-case basis in order to best uphold community standards.

In developing and delivering programs, the library staff utilizes staff expertise, collections, equipment, and facilities. The following criteria are used in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources:

 

  • Expressed community needs and interest

  • Budget and cost of program

  • Space required for program

  • Historical or educational significance

  • Connection to other community programs, exhibitions, or events

  • Presenter background/qualifications in content area

  • Presenter qualifications/references as a program presenter

  • Relevance/appropriateness of program to library’s mission and goals

  • Staff time

 

SPONSORSHIP/COLLABORATION WITHIN THE PARISH

 

The Webster Parish Library welcomes the support of institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups located within Webster Parish to enhance or improve Library activities, services, events and programs through the establishment of sponsorships or collaborative partnerships. These relationships serve as a means to pool resources and to advance the Library's vision, mission and strategic plan. Sponsorships or collaboration partnerships with institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups located outside of the parish must be library initiated.

 

The Library will only enter into sponsorships or collaborative partnerships determined to be in the best interest of the Library. Sponsorships and collaborative partnerships will be subject to the approval of the Director or his or her designee.

 

In particular, sponsorships or collaborative partnerships should further the Library's goals in one or more of the following ways:

 

  1. Increase library visibility in the community;

  2. Support regular or special library activities, services, events and programs;

  3. Enhance or create ways to respond to identified community needs.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Sponsor

A sponsor is an institution, business, nonprofit organization, community group or individual who contributes funds or products or services of a defined value to the Library in support of an activity, service, event or program.

 

Sponsorship

A sponsorship is a mutually beneficial exchange between the Library and a sponsor, whereby the sponsor contributes funds, products or services of a defined value to the Library and in turn, receives recognition, acknowledgement or other promotional considerations. Sponsorships do not imply Library endorsement of the sponsor or its products or services.

 

A sponsorship differs from a philanthropic gift or donation in that a philanthropic gift or donation is a contribution of cash and/or products or services without expectation or requirement of a reciprocal benefit.

 

Collaborative Partner

A collaborative partner is an institution, business, nonprofit organization, or community group that collaborates with the Library to provide and/or promote activities, services, events and programs to the public in ways that are mutually beneficial and without the contribution of funds, products or services of a defined value to the library.

 

Collaborative Partnership

A collaborative partnership is a relationship between the Library and an institution, business, nonprofit organization, or community group that involves working together in an effort to provide and/or promote activities, services, events and programs to the public in ways that are mutually beneficial and without the partner's contribution of money or products or services of a defined value.

 

The following criteria are used in making decisions about sponsorships and collaborative partnerships:

 

•           Expressed community needs and interest

•           Budget and cost of sponsorship

•           Space required for sponsorship/collaboration

•           Historical or educational significance involvement

•           Connection to other community programs, exhibitions, or events

•           Community standards

•           Relevance/appropriateness to library’s mission and goals

•           Staff time

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Board Approved October 26, 2018

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