Lyme Library Program Policy

Voted on and approved by the Lyme Library Board 12/3/2025

The purpose of this policy is to define the criteria used by Lyme Public library staff to schedule programs and the guidelines associated with conducting programs within the library. In accordance with the Lyme Library’s Mission Statement, the purpose of a library program is to promote lifelong learning, discovery and literacy. A library program can take place on the premises, virtually or “off-site” at another location should the need for additional space dictates moving the program. Library programs are designed and developed by library staff to provide cross-generational educational services to the public. All library materials and programs are made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statues (see below)

Definition

The Lyme library staff and Board of Trustees define a library program as an educational experience for the enlightenment and entertainment of the attendees.

• Library programs are provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all residents.
• Library programs are constructed to represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints and provide access to content that is relevant to the research, independent interests and educational needs of residents.
• The Lyme library staff strive to present special programs that meet the educational and entertainment needs of our residents’ cross-generationally.

Roles and Responsibilities

It is the role of the professionally trained library staff to coordinate and/or conduct library programs at the Lyme library. The individuals involved are the Children’s Librarian who oversees all children’s (attendees aged infant to 12 years of age) and young adult (individuals aged 12 to 19 years of age) programs and the Library Director for adult (focused on attendees aged 20 and up) programming. Programs are conducted within the framework of the policies determined by the Board of Trustees and meet the guidelines of the anti-discrimination regulations of the Connecticut General Statute 46a-64. Staff responsibilities include, but are not limited to, processing the invoices associated with the programs to the organizations responsible for payment and/or researching and fulfilling the requirements for grants if applicable, purchasing any supplies associated with the programs as needed, and finding qualified presenters for programs using the resources of state-wide library programming consortiums.

Patrons attending any Lyme library program either in-person or virtually are required to comply with the Lyme library’s Patron Code of Conduct, Unattended Child Policy and Anti-Bullying Policy.

Program Selection

The professionally trained library staff oversee hiring individuals to conduct programs within the parameters of the library’s programming budget. Due to budget limitations staff often conduct programs themselves based on requests by and/or needs of patrons or in some cases use the talents of Lyme residents. When appropriate staff hire outside presenters by using library-based directories or input from other Connecticut library programmers to find qualified individuals to conduct special programs.

The Lyme library will not offer programs that:

• Are purely of a commercial nature or are designed solely for the solicitation of business.
• Support or oppose any political candidate or ballot measure.
• Programs that support or oppose a specific religion. (Educational programs that include religious themes are acceptable if they don’t attempt to proselytize for a particular religious organization)

Program Development, Content, and Supervision

At the Lyme library, the development and coordination of special programs is the responsibility of the Children’s Librarian and the Library Director as librarians are professionally trained to curate and develop programs All programs meet the standards of the Connecticut General Statue 46a-64 (Appendix F).

Program Access

Library programs are accessible to any library patron. All program attendees, as with all other library-based activities must comply with the library’s Unattended Child Policy, Patron Code of Conduct and Anti-Bullying Policy.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Due to space restrictions, the cost of supplies, or the availability of the presenter to attend to the needs of all the attendees adequately the number of people allowed to attend a program might on occasion be limited. If a library program has a limit to the number of attendees that number will be clearing posted in advance. Patrons are required to sign up in advance using the library’s registration services. Once the limit has been reached additional registrants will be “waitlisted” and a library staff member will call the waitlisted attendees should an opening take place.

Any individual requiring accommodation to participate in a Lyme library program should contact the library at least one week prior to the program.

Virtual Programs

To keep costs within the parameters of the Lyme library’s programming budget, and/or to allow access to the program by patrons and presenters who are unable to attend in person the Lyme library provides virtual programs. Arrangements will be made for patrons to log into the program in advance of the presentation. Lyme library staff will sit in on all virtual programs and oversee that the program is conducted as advertised and will oversee the chat room to supervise the program and make sure that the presenter and the attendees comply with Connecticut General Statue 46a-64, the Lyme library’s Patron Code of Conduct and Anti-Bullying Policy.

Virtual program attendees must provide their own internet-enabled devices to attend virtual programs and assume all inherent risks associated with online activity. As with any technological connectivity, there is no guarantee that every patron will be capable of accessing every virtual program successfully, but the staff will make every effort to ensure that they can.

Program Materials

The Lyme library staff attempt to make programs free of charge to attendees. Occasionally a fee might be charged for supplies or services associated with the program and the fee will be clearly posed in advance of the program so that attendees are aware of the charge. If an attendee is incapable of paying the associated fee for the materials, arrangements might be made by the library staff on behalf of the patron as needed.

Any materials such as books, CDs or any other material available via the Lyme library’s collection or via the library’s consortium libraries that are needed to attend a program will be made available at the Lyme library’s circulation desk in advance of the program.

Program Evaluation

At the conclusion of the program attendees are encouraged to complete a Program Evaluation Form (Appendix D)

Purpose

In accordance with the Lyme Library’s mission statement, programs are provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all residents and are constructed to represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints. The importance of a program is as a resource for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas and to promote free expression and free access to ideas by residents

Guidelines

• Programs presented at the Lyme library are for the entertainment and/or education of the public and every attempt is made to provide a wide range of programs within the Lyme Library’s programming budget, resources and staff availability.

• The library makes every attempt to accommodate all who wish to attend a program. However, when safety or the success of a program requires it, the library and presenter reserve the right to limit the attendance to any program. Attendance in such a limited program will be based on a first-come, first-served format. Attendees who have registered after the program limit has been reached will be put on a waitlist and informed of that fact. Waitlisted attendees will be contacted if an opening happens in advance of the program or if seats are available. Individuals who have come to the library in the hope that they will be moved from a waitlist to an attendee, will not be allowed into the program until an opening becomes available and must comply with the library’s Patron Code of Conduct, block access to the facility or disturb or disrupt the library’s functionality or its patrons.

• Suggestions for programs can be made by filling out a Lyme Library Program Application Form (see below) and/or speaking with the Library Director or Children’s Librarian. There is no guarantee that any suggested program will take place at the Lyme Library.

• The Lyme Library in alignment with its Strategic Plan attempts to work in partnership with other Lyme related organizations and town government to present programs on the library’s grounds that reflect the work being done by these organizations.

• The library strives to make all programs free of charge, but in limited circumstances a nominal fee can be charged. That fee is only charged to help defer the cost of providing supplies, services, or to offset the cost of hiring the presenter. The library will not attempt to make a profit on any of its programs. If a nominal fee is charged, at the discretion of the Library Director, that fee will be waived if an attendee requests it.

• If a library program has been financially sponsored by a grant, the library staff will conduct the program under the guidelines of the grantor.

• Children under the age of 12 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver while in the library. Any unsupervised child over the age of 12 may be asked for emergency contact information while on the premises.

• No program will take place at the library if it is in violation of anti-discriminatory State or Federal laws or promotes viewpoints in which violence or intimidation is involved in any way to attendees or others within the community. Protestors to a library program will be asked to leave the building and, if required, will be escorted from the premises by law enforcement because it violates our Patron Code of Conduct and Anti-Bullying policies.

• The Lyme Library schedules programs in compliance with CGA Section 46a-64, (Appendix F) which is part of Connecticut’s anti-discrimination laws. This law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, intellectual disability, mental disability, physical disability, status as a veteran, or status as a victim of domestic violence. It also addresses discrimination against individuals with disabilities accompanied by service animals. The library staff will make every attempt within the library’s resources to provide services and programs to accommodate individuals who are covered under those protected categories. The Lyme Public library may hire professional performers and presenters that reflect specialized or unique expertise and will not exclude performers or presentations because of their origin, background, views, or because of possible controversy.

• Although library staff will sometimes hire presenters or offer programs by individuals who are from commercial “for-profit” organizations, programs that take place in the confines of the Lyme Library will not be for the purpose of commerce, including programs offered at no cost to attendees. No program that takes place in the library does so with the sole intention of soliciting future business. All information presented at programs must be of educational interest to the general public. The Lyme library allows presenters to have limited business-related brochures, flyers and other information available to attendees if they prove to be of interest to attendees but will not distribute this information as part of any presentation or allow this information to remain on the premises after the program is finished. The presenter will be asked to leave the building if they insist that an attendee must take promotional materials or contact the sponsoring organization to attend programs.

• The library will occasionally rent (at a minimal fee which is paid to the Town of Lyme) out its Community Room to outside organizations. These organizations are responsible for taking care of the maintenance of the room while in the building and must comply with this Lyme Library Program Policy, Meeting Room Policy and Patron Code of Conduct while making presentations on site.

• Library staff who present programs do so as part of their job. Individuals who are part of organizations associated with the library (Library Board, Friends or Foundation) will not charge the library for their services as a program presenter.

• The Lyme library allows the sale of books or recordings associated with the presenters of a program.

• No photographs or filming can take place at programs in which minors (attendees under the age of 18) are present without the permission of the child’s caregiver.

• If a patron wishes to make a formal complaint about any library program, they can do so by following the procedures outlined in our Material Reconsideration Form and comply with the Lyme Library’s Procedures for Formal Complaints for Reconsideration of Materials and Anti-Bullying Policies.

The Lyme Library supports the American Library Association’s “Freedom to Read Statement” (Appendix A) which states that the freedom to read is essential to our American democracy and follows CT State Legislature bill SB1271 which states that within Connecticut public and school libraries that materials, displays and programs may only be removed “for legitimate pedagogical purposes or for professionally accepted standards”. This policy is in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323. The Lyme library also adheres to the guidelines of the American Library Association’s “Freedom to View” (Appendix B) statement and Library Bill of Rights” (Appendix C)