As part of the Library's mission, it provides materials and programs relevant to contemporary issues and interests that enlighten, inform, and entertain.

I. Responsibility for Program Development

  1. Responsibility for program development rests with the Library Director, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Library Board of Trustees.
  2. Program planning and facilitating are delegated to staff members based on their job responsibilities and areas of expertise.
  3. Programming librarians are guided by this policy and utilize professional skills, collections, equipment, facilities, and feedback from the community in planning and delivering Library programs.

II. Selection Guidelines and Objectives

  1. The Grafton Public Library defines a program as an activity or event in a group setting, developed to meet the educational, social, recreational, cultural, or informational needs of an anticipated audience in the community. Programs can be a single event, a short series, or continuously recurring.
  2. Programs may include, but will not be limited to: lectures, forums, visual and performance art, interactive classes or workshops, continuing education, fairs, discussion groups, technology programs, story times, class visits, Library tours, community outreach, exhibits, and presentations for social, cultural, educational, or recreational purposes.
  3. Decisions concerning an event's audience, registration, capacity, late arrivals, and allowable walk-ins will be made by the Library staff supervising the event.

III. Program Criteria

When making decisions regarding program content, presenters, and related resources, Library staff will consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

  • Relevance to the Library's mission, strategic plan, and service goals
  • Community needs and interests, including feedback and suggestions from Grafton residents
  • Potential to promote, supplement, and encourage the use of Library collections and resources
  • Presentation quality as determined by the presenter's background, record of presentation, and qualifications in the content area
  • Historical, cultural, or educational significance

IV. Funding

  1. The Library receives funding for Library programs in a variety of ways including municipal appropriations, grants, and support from charitable organizations that support the Library.
  2. The Library may also partner with other institutions, organizations, or individuals.
  3. Library-sponsored programs are open to the public and offered free of charge.
  4. In partnership with the Friends of the Grafton Public Library, Capital Campaign, or Board of Library Trustees, a fee may be applied to partnership programs from our fundraising partners for programs and goods that benefit the Library including book sales, raffles, and other types of fundraising.

V. Presenters and Partnerships

  1. Anyone interested in presenting a program may submit a proposal that will be reviewed by Library staff using this policy as a guideline.
  2. The Library reserves the right to decline a program for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, staffing, budgetary constraints, space, or scheduling.
  3. A partnership is a relationship between Grafton Public Library and an institution, non-profit organization, community group, or individual. These relationships involve an effort to provide and/or promote activities and services for the public. Partners must abide by Library policies.
  4. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program, or the views expressed by presenters or participants. Program topics, presenters, and resources are not excluded because of possible controversy.
  5. Library programs cannot be used to directly further commercial, religious, political, or partisan purposes. Presenters and performers, whether individual or organizational, shall not use a Library program to petition, advertise, or recruit members or customers.
  6. Presenters are permitted to have business-related cards, brochures, flyers, or other information available for attendees to pick up if interested, but presenters cannot distribute these materials as part of the event.
  7. Programs sponsored by charitable organizations whose purpose and mission is to support the Grafton Public Library may include the sale of merchandise as a means to fundraise for the benefit of the Library. Performers or presenters may receive permission to sell their creative works as part of a Library program at the discretion of the Library Director.

VI. Intellectual Freedom

  1. The Library respects the freedom of information of its users and adheres to the principles expressed in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements.
  2. The Library does not use any system of coding, rating, or labeling of program content for the purposes of censorship.
  3. The Library seeks to provide inclusive programming and does not discriminate based on any class protected by local, state, and federal law.

VII. Open Access

  1. All Library-initiated programs are open to the public, but some meetings and programs may be designed with specific audiences in mind, such as programs intended for children and teens that are geared to their interests and needs.
  2. Programs targeted toward specific audiences are to be publicized as such. All program information, including age limits, is posted online in advance of registration.
  3. Program participants who are not within the specified age range will not be able to participate in the specified program.
  4. Every attempt will be made to accommodate all who wish to attend a program. However, when safety, cost, or the success of a program requires it, attendance may be limited. Admittance will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, either through advance registration or at the door.
  5. The Library reserves the right to deny attendance to anyone acting disruptively toward other program participants or the presenter and must abide by Library policies.

VIII. Registration

  1. Some events may require tickets or registration. This is done to:
    • Not exceed the capacity of the venue.
    • Ensure the audience meets all requirements.
    • Allow the presenter to adequately prepare for the number of people attending.
  2. Where registration is required, each program participant, including accompanying adults when specified, must be registered.
  3. Patrons who are not registered may not be able to participate. We may not be able to make exceptions for siblings, friends, or out-of-town visitors.
  4. Registered patrons must call to cancel if their plans change and they are unable to attend, as many programs have a waitlist.
  5. When resources are limited, programs may be limited to Grafton residents only.
  6. For high-demand events, the Library may institute a waitlist process in place of allowing walk-ins.
    • The waitlist will be activated as soon as registration is full.
    • Should spots become available, the Library will make every effort to notify waitlisted patrons in time for them to attend the event.
    • If an event has a waitlist, walk-ins will not be allowed.

IX. Attendance

  1. Programs begin on time as scheduled. Registrants more than 10 minutes late may forfeit their slot.
  2. No-shows, latecomers, and chronic cancellations may result in getting waitlisted for future recurring programs.
  3. The family room and tutoring room are available by reservation. If a program participant needs a break during the program, they should see a staff member to make a reservation.

X. Cancellations

  1. Programs may be cancelled for several reasons, including but not limited to severe weather, absence of the presenter, or low registration.
  2. Cancelled programs are not automatically rescheduled.
  3. When possible, advanced notification of program cancellations will be made on the Library's online calendar of events and by other appropriate communication channels.
    1. If Grafton Public Schools have a delay or closure due to inclement weather, morning Library programs are cancelled.
    2. If the Town closes or cancels evening programs due to inclement weather, Library afternoon or evening programs are cancelled.
    3. Please check the Library's website and social media for postings about emergency or inclement weather closings.

XI. Event Management

  1. Even in the event of preregistration, the Library does not guarantee seating once a program has begun.
  2. If the event does not have a waitlist, walk-ins may be allowed to fill unclaimed spots.
  3. The Library makes every effort to comply with applicable laws, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state and local accessibility laws. Reasonable accommodations can be made for program participants and patrons; any individual requiring accommodations should contact the Library Director at least two weeks before the event date. With advanced notice, the Library can often provide seating and auditory support devices, ASL interpretation, closed captioning for Zoom meetings, or different methods of instruction or delivery.

Should any patron be dissatisfied with the reasonable accommodations offered, they may follow the appeals process as outlined on the Library's website at https://graftonlibrary.org.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees: October 22, 2025