Hillsboro Public Library is guided by the mission of “For Everyone/Para Todos” and is committed to offering programs and events to meet the educational, informational, entertainment, and cultural needs of our diverse community. The library fulfills this mission by offering creative, library-initiated programs and events that provide opportunities for connection, open access to information, and exchange of ideas in the community. 

Further, as a department of the City of Hillsboro, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and work under this guiding principle: We exemplify and instill diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential parts of policymaking and the delivery of City services.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to City staff on how library programs and events should be selected or developed.  It is also intended to inform the public about the principles and criteria by which library staff develop and select programs and events.

Library programs and events are developed and selected by the City and are intended to constitute government speech.  While suggestions from the public are welcome, nothing in this policy is intended to create a public forum or other type of opportunity for members of the public to utilize the library or library resources for personal expression.  

Philosophy and Scope

Library-initiated programming utilizes library staff and their expertise, materials, library and community resources, displays and media presentations, and facilities. Library-initiated programs are “for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves,” as stated in Article 1 of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. Programs expand the Library’s role as a cultural and community resource and introduce patrons and non-users to library services. To that end, the general selection and development criteria when making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources, includes:

• Relevance to the Library’s strategic goals and objectives, City Council priorities, and Hillsboro community plan alignment
• Connection to other City services, community programs, exhibits, events, or library materials
• Consideration of present and potential community needs and interests
• Raising awareness and visibility of the library to the community
• Extending outreach for underserved populations
• Ensuring programming is in place for all ages – the library is for everyone
• Community needs and interests, and relevance to the community
• Relation to Library collections, resources, exhibits and programs
• Contain historical or educational significance
• Treatment of content for intended audience
• Cost and budget considerations

Program Selection and Design

Programs will be developed or selected with consideration for the principles of accessibility, equity, and inclusiveness, and will contribute to the library’s welcoming environment. 
Selection, development and planning of library programs is the responsibility of the library staff, who use the following specific criteria in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources that meet the general criteria listed above: 

• Programs are subject to staff time, budget, and meeting space availability. 
  See also: Meeting Room Use Policy
• All library-initiated programs are to be open to the public.
  Note that programs may be designed with certain age limit parameters or specific audiences in mind, i.e., children’s programs, toddlers’ programs, and parenting programs. Programs targeted toward specific audiences are to be publicized as such.
• Programs may require registration.
  Registration may be required for planning purposes or when space is limited.  Programs may be held on site at any library branch, or off site. Collected information will not be shared with others unless permission is given by the attendee.
• The library may host programs with differing perspectives.
  The purpose of such programs will be to inform or entertain and not to persuade or convert.
• Programs should be free to participants.
  The exception being if the program is designed to raise money for the library through the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, or other library related campaigns. Any sales of products at library programs must be preapproved by the library. Programs are not used for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes or the solicitation of business.
• We prioritize access.
  Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that programs are accessible to all who wish to attend and participate.
• Quality of Programming.
  Professional performers and presenters that reflect specialized or unique expertise may be hired for library programs. Performers and presenters will not be excluded from consideration because of their origin, background or views, or because of possible controversy. The library may conduct reference checks in advance of contracting with the performer or presenter to ensure quality standards. Performers or presenters will remain supervised by library staff during program. 

Additional considerations for program selection and design:

• Selection of programming or events that meet one or more of the above criteria may be limited due to budget constraints.
• There will be occasional program breaks for regularly scheduled events. Breaks allow staff to plan future events.
• If a prize is given, it must be picked up within a reasonable amount of time. If the prize is not picked up, it is forfeit and will be repurposed or issued to another patron.  

Partnerships and Sponsorships

The Library may partner with other agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals to provide programs and events, as long as the program or event remains compatible with the Library’s mission and vision notwithstanding the partnership.

• Library sponsorship of a program or event does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or event. Beliefs and opinions expressed during library programs or events by speakers, presenters, performers, or participants do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the Library.
• External organizations or individuals partnering with the Library must coordinate marketing efforts with the Library. When working with outside presenters, a Presenter Partnership Agreement must be signed.
• Not all programs and meetings held at the Library must be library-initiated. The Library has rooms available for reservation and use by the community. See Meeting Room Policy.

The choice of library programming and events is made solely at the discretion of library staff.  Accordingly, the library has the right to refuse to contract with individuals who do not meet the criteria, philosophy, and goals of this policy. Examples and consideration for library-sponsored programs that will not be offered or approved:

• Programs that sell products or promote a business.
  • Buying a product cannot be a requirement to attending the event.
  • Only programs or events intended to financially support the Library, Library Board, Library Foundation of Hillsboro, and/or the Friends of Hillsboro Public Library may involve monetary solicitation, sale of items, or fundraising activities. Sales cannot be the purpose of any other program or event.
  • Information about the presenter’s organization may be made available by request or on a table for participants.
  • Presenters may not actively solicit participants’ contact information but may leave an optional sign-in sheet at a table. 

• Programs that support or oppose any political candidate or ballot measure. 
  Educational programs may be offered, such as candidate forums, that will include invitations to all recognized candidates.
• Programs will not be offered or approved that endorse or oppose a specific religion or faith-based organization.
  Note that holiday-centered programs may be offered for education, entertainment, and informational purposes, especially in relation to the City of Hillsboro’s Celebrating Culture series, provided that such events must be open and welcoming to all to participate.

Intellectual Freedom and Diversity

Hillsboro Public Library believes in the democratic right of community members to make individual, informed choices about their attendance at programs. Further, the Library upholds the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement, and we are proud supporters of the Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee. 

As with our materials and collections (see Collection Development Policy), we will have a wide variety of viewpoints represented in our programming and events and we support the right of individuals to attend programs and events, view displays or exhibits, or access materials others may find controversial, unorthodox, or unacceptable.

Concerns, questions, or suggestions about library programs are to be referred to Hillsboro Public Library Administration. The Library Director has the final decision on a program. 

Approved by City Council September 2024
Recommended to City Council by Library Board May 2024

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer