1. Mission Statement
East Routt Library District dba Bud Werner Memorial Library (“Library”) offers programs intended to further the Library's mission: Promoting Enrichment, Education and Escape for Everyone.
2. Purpose of the Program Policy
The Program Policy, approved by the East Routt Library District Board of Trustees, outlines our philosophy and guidelines as it pertains to programming. As a living document, it assures that programming at Bud Werner Memorial Library aligns with the Library’s vision that all community members are curious, connected and intellectually thriving.
3. Philosophy & Scope of Programs
In keeping with our mission, Bud Werner Memorial Library staff develop and present programs that provide information, learning, and entertainment. The Library may create and offer programs by staff or with community partners or presenters. Programming is an integral component of Library service that:
- Expands the Library’s role as a community resource
- Introduces community members to the Library and other community resources
- Fosters lifelong learning, promotes cultural enrichment and supports education
- Expands the visibility of the Library
- Provides entertainment and recreation
Inherent in the program philosophy is an appreciation for each patron of Bud Werner Memorial Library. The Library provides programs to support each individual’s journey and does not place a value on one individual’s needs or preferences over another’s. The Library upholds the right of the individual to access information, even though the content may be controversial, unorthodox or unacceptable to others. The views and opinions of program presenters do not constitute endorsement of Bud Werner Memorial Library.
4. Program Selection and Design
Presenters will be chosen from local, regional and national talent. Unsolicited offers from individuals or organizations to present programs will be evaluated by the same standards used by Library staff when planning Library programming.
Library staff uses many criteria in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources, including:
- Advancing the Library’s mission, vision and guiding principles
- Service area demographics
- Strategic Plan alignment
- Community needs and interests
- Presentation quality
- Presenter background/qualifications in content area
- Current demand and frequency of use
- Accuracy and timeliness of program content
- Availability elsewhere
- Continuous evaluation to maintain programming vitality and usefulness to the community
- Cost and budget considerations
Furthermore, the Library reserves the right to not schedule a program and/or cancel a scheduled program.
5. Programming Guidelines
Bud Werner Memorial Library supports free and open access to information and ideas as stated in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to View policies of the American Library Association.
Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by presenters or participants. The Library does not offer programs that are purely commercial or religious in nature.
- Programs may be canceled due to weather, low registration or absence of the presenter. Canceled programs are not necessarily rescheduled.
- The Library welcomes groups and organizations to reserve meeting room spaces for programs that are not sponsored, organized or publicized by the Library, and we require customers to sign and comply with the Bud Werner Memorial Library Meeting Room User Agreement. By sharing library space, the Library does not endorse outside programming or its messaging. The provision of spaces is a service to the community.
- Library programs are free and open to the public. Occasionally, however, there is a minimal charge to meet the cost of special programming, like film festival screenings or Literary Sojourn.
Appeals to this policy or reconsideration of a program may be submitted via the Request for Reconsideration of Library Collections, Displays or Programs form.
~Adopted April 20, 2023
