Public Services – 325
Approved by the Board of Trustees May 22, 2025
St. Joseph Public Library
Programming Policy
A library program is an event that promotes the use of library materials or services and/or offers our community an educational, recreational, or cultural experience. Programs are planned for the interest and enlightenment of St. Joseph and surrounding communities’ citizens.
St. Joseph Public Library (SJPL) strives to offer a variety of programs for all ages that support the mission of the library and reflect the broad range of community interests. Programs may be planned and presented by library staff or by individuals or groups with the library acting as a co-sponsor. Programs may be offered in SJPL meeting rooms or at other locations in the community.
Every branch should offer periodic programs which can be in-person, virtual, or activity kits.
Selection of library program topics, speakers, presentations, and resource materials will be made by library staff on the basis of the interest and needs of the community and library users. The library does not offer programming that is purely commercial or religious in nature.
Programs are not allowed to serve as a platform for generating income for any sponsoring group or individual, except funds to support the library. Library programs must be noncommercial in nature. Although a business person or expert may present a program, no solicitation of business is permitted. The sale of products at programs is not allowed. There are two exceptions:
1. Writers, performers, and artists may sell their own works at the library following library programs in which they are featured.
2. The Friends of the Library or Library Foundation may be invited to sell items at library programs.
Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by the participants.
Attendance at library sponsored programs is open to the public and shall not be restricted because of racial, religious, socioeconomic, or political status. Some programs may be designed with specific audiences in mind and will be publicized as such. All advertising for programming will have an age designation in compliance with the Missouri Secretary of State Administrative
*Previous approval date: September 29, 2021