The purpose of this policy is to set guidelines for the planning and operation of Library sponsored programs and events, and to inform the public about standards and principles that are applied to the program selection and management process.
COMMUNITY
The Northborough Free Library is supported by, and recognizes as its primary clientele, people who live and work in the Town of Northborough.
PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
The final authority for the development and selection of library programs is delegated by the Board of Library Trustees to the Library Director and, under the Director’s guidance, to members of the staff who are qualified by training and experience.
ACCESS TO PROGRAMS
The policies of the Northborough Free Library are informed by principles contained in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements, as well as the Intellectual Freedom Guide for Massachusetts Libraries published by the MA Board of Library Commissioners.
Responsibility for attending a library program rests entirely with the individual library user or, in the case of minors, with their parent or legal guardian. While people may reject certain programs for themselves or their children, they may not restrict the freedom of others to attend those programs.
The library reserves the right to deny attendance to anyone becoming disruptive to audience members or the program facilitator, and to anyone in violation of the Library’s policies.
Programs will not be canceled or restricted due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Library programs are defined as activities or events in a group setting, in person or online, that are developed to meet the educational, social, recreational, cultural, or informational needs of an anticipated audience in the community.
Program types include, but are not limited to: lectures, forums, visual and performance art, interactive classes, workshops, continuing education, fairs, discussion groups, technology programs, story times, class visits, tours, community outreach, exhibits, and presentations. Programs may be single events, short series, or continuous regular offerings.
Library staff make decisions regarding program topics, content, presenters, format, and related resources using the following considerations:
- Relevance to the library’s mission, strategic plan, and goals
- Community needs and interests, including feedback and suggestions from residents
- Potential to promote, supplement, and encourage the use of library collections and resources
- Presentation quality as determined by presenter’s background, record of presentations, and qualifications in the relevant content area
- Historical, cultural, or educational significance
- Space required, and the availability of that space
- Budget
- Staffing
- Balance of current programs being offered at the library
- Connection to other community programs, exhibitions, or events
- Safety and security of patrons and staff
- National and local observances, commemorative months, and community initiatives
Library programs may take place inside the library or on the library’s grounds, at offsite locations, or online, and may be delivered by library staff or chosen library partners. Programs may be in-person, hybrid, or virtual, and may be recorded for later playback.
FUNDING AND FEES
Municipal appropriations are generally not used to cover program fees. The library receives funding for library programs from the Friends of the Northborough Library, Inc., as well as from grants and support from charitable organizations. The library may also partner with other institutions, organizations, or individuals who have received funding to offer Library programs.
Library programs are offered to the public free of charge. Fees for programs or merchandise may be applied to book sales, raffles, and other types of fundraising by the Friends of the Library. At the Library Director’s discretion, fees for programs may be applied to offset the cost of providing the program.
Library partners may receive permission from the Library Director (or their designee) to sell their original designs or creative works as part of a library program. It is strongly recommended that partners donate a portion of their proceeds from sales at any library event to the Friends of the Northborough Library, Inc. The sale of unauthorized products and services will not be permitted.
LIBRARY PARTNERS
Anyone interested in partnering with the library to present a program may submit a proposal that will be reviewed by appropriate library staff using this policy as a guideline. Not all proposals will be accepted. Proposals will be kept on file for one year. The library reserves the right to decline a program for any reason.
Partners must comply with all library policies. Partners receive acknowledgement in marketing and PR materials.
Library programs are non-commercial in nature. Programs are not used for the solicitation of business. Presenters and performers, whether individual or organizational, shall not use a library program to petition, advertise, or recruit members or customers. While the library welcomes professional experts to present at its events, library programs cannot be used to directly further commercial, religious, political, or partisan purposes. Presenters are permitted to have business-related brochures, flyers, or other information available for attendees to pick up if interested, but may not distribute such materials as part of the event or presentation.
Individuals reserving spaces within the library for meetings or events are not considered library partners. These programs are not sponsored by the library. Such groups are responsible for their own marketing.
ACCESSIBILITY
Patrons needing assistive listening devices, on-site sign language interpreters, closed captioning, or other reasonable accommodations for library programs should inform the Library Director or Assistant Library Director at least one week before the day of the event to ensure availability of services.
ATTENDANCE
The library provides free and open access to its programs for patrons of all ages and backgrounds. Attendance at library programs may be designed with specific audiences in mind, and as such may be limited to that specific audience. Programs restricted to a specific audience will be publicized as such.
When the safety, cost, or success of a program requires it, the library may limit attendance, either through advanced registration or at the door. In such cases, admittance shall be based on a first come, first served basis.
The library requests that registered individuals notify the organizers as soon as possible if they are unable to attend an event in order to allow other people to attend. Registered individuals who do not show up for a program and do not notify organizers that they are unable to attend will be considered a no-show for the event. No shows will lose program registration privileges for one month.
Even in the event of preregistration, the library does not guarantee seating once a program has begun. Library staff reserve the right to admit waitlist or walk-in attendees once a program has begun if there are unclaimed spots.
Last updated: January 2026
Approved by the Library Trustees on: January 13, 2026