The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library supports its mission of empowering individuals of all ages and backgrounds by developing and presenting programs that build a more informed, engaged, and connected community.
Developmental Criteria
In developing and delivering programs, library staff utilize staff expertise, collections, equipment, facilities, and local partnerships to plan activities and events for the community. Programming can include in-library activities, offsite events, live virtual meetings, pre-recorded sessions, or passive displays and kits. The following criteria are used in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources:
- Relevance to community interests and issues
- Historical or educational significance
- Budget
- Availability of program space
- Presenter background/qualifications in content area
- Relevance/appropriateness of program to the library’s mission and strategic plan
- Connection to other community programs, exhibitions or events
- Relation to library collections, resources, exhibits and programs
- Staff availability
Program Content
The library strives to reflect the diverse interests of its community. Topics, speakers, and resources are therefore not excluded from programming because of possible controversy. The library also endeavors to offer programming that is non-profit, civic, cultural, or educational. As such, the library will not offer programs of a purely commercial nature or those designed for the solicitation of business. Examples of programs that would be considered commercial in nature include presentations given for free but with the intention of soliciting future business. Sale of any products at library programs is prohibited unless authorized by the library director or designee. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute endorsement of the content or views expressed by the presenter or participants.
Participation Requirements
Most library programs are free and open to the public. Some may include an admission fee or a charge to cover the cost of materials. Registration may be required for planning purposes or when space is limited. The library may also designate programs for specific audiences, such as adults, children, or teens, or may require an accompanying adult. Attendees should correspond with the appropriate age group as publicized in program marketing. A library staff member or parents/guardians will be present during youth programming if the presenter is not a library staff member. Whether a program is delivered at the library or online, participants must adhere to the library’s Code of Conduct. If the library is presenting at an outside agency, that agency’s Code of Conduct takes precedence.
Partnerships
The library may present programs with other agencies, organizations, and institutions, provided the programs are compatible with the library’s mission and strategic plan. Library staff members who present programs do so as part of their regular job and are not hired as outside contractors for programming. Professional performers and presenters who have specialized or unique expertise may be hired for programs and are permitted to have business cards available for attendees to pick up if interested. Library staff will leave an offsite event if it becomes unsafe or if the event is misrepresented to them.
Marketing
The library reserves the right to use video or photographs taken of program participants for internal use, publication, and use in library promotional outlets. Individuals who do not want to be photographed may opt out by notifying a library staff member.
Requests for Review
The library welcomes expressions of opinion regarding programming. Concerned patrons should first speak with a library staff member. Those wishing to continue their request for review of a program may submit the Library Program Evaluation Form. Requests for review of programs will be considered in the same manner as requests for reconsideration of library materials as outlined in the library’s Collection Development Policy.
For a Library Program Evaluation Form, please email your request to hrhoads@findlaylibrary.org.
Adopted by The Board of Trustees: July 2023
Reviewed: October 2025