Printable Version of Program Policy

At the Alamosa Public Library, a “program” is a planned interactive event between Library staff (or designees) and participants for the purpose of supporting the Library’s mission: “to inform, educate, and culturally enrich the population of Alamosa county and the San Luis Valley”. 

Responsibility for program development is vested in the Library Manager and any staff whose job descriptions include program responsibilities.  Selection of program topics, speakers, courses, classes, and resource materials will be made by staff on the basis of the interests and needs of patrons and community, with the Library’s Mission and goals in mind. Programs may include controversial content.

In accordance with Colorado Law (SB24-216):

• The Alamosa Public Library serves as a center for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas. 
• The public has the right to access a range of social, political, aesthetic, moral and other ideas and experiences through the Alamosa Public Library.
• The Alamosa Public Library shall not exclude a library resource (including a program) because of the ethnic origin, ethnic background, or gender identity of those contributing to the creation of the library resource or because of the topic addressed by the library resource or the opinions expressed in the library resource.
• The Alamosa Public Library shall not proscribe or prohibit the procurement of a library resource because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval of the library resource.
• It is the responsibility of the Alamosa Public Library to challenge censorship in the fulfillment of its responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
• The Alamosa Public Library shall consider the perspectives of marginalized groups including but not limited to – American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, and Asian Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals; and religious minorities.
• The Alamosa Public Library shall prohibit discrimination based on age, background, political or religious views, origin, disability, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin or ancestry in the selection, retention, display, use or reconsideration of library resources.

Select programs are generally targeted to age-specific audiences (i.e. children’s programs), and some may be limited to specific ages. Program age limits are put in place for the following purposes:

• To reflect the skill or developmental level needed to effectively and safely participate in an activity.
• To create a comfortable environment for socialization.
• To ensure limited supplies and space are used to benefit the program’s target audience.

Programs will not be limited by age in response to concerns over a program’s ideological content.

Programs may be hosted at the Library or offsite.

Programs are funded in part by the operating budget with additional support from the Friends of the Alamosa Public Library, grants, donations, gifts, as well as partnerships. The Library Board, in conjunction with the Library Manager, are responsible for recommending a budget for programming to facilitate the effective implementation of this service.

The Library may require a contract to be executed by program presenters. Organizations or business affiliations of presenters or co-sponsoring organizations may be used in promoting programs. This promotion does not constitute endorsement. Presenters are vetted for their professionalism, subject knowledge, presentation skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. The Library does not offer programs of a commercial nature with the intention of soliciting future business. Presenters from businesses may be included in programming if their information is of general interest. They may only offer brochures and information about their business after the program, but not during or as part of the program. The Library may permit the sale of books written by presenters or recordings by performers in conjunction with a program with advance permission of the Library Manager. 

All requests for the Library to reconsider or cancel programs must be made in writing. Staff will make the Request for Reconsideration of Program form available to anyone who expresses an objection to Library programming.

In accordance with Colorado Law (SB24-216):

• A public library may remove a library resource (including a program) only if the resource has been reviewed in accordance with an established policy that meets the law’s requirements, as set forth earlier in this policy.
• To make a request for reconsideration, the individual making the request must reside in the legal service area of the Alamosa Public Library – i.e. the City of Alamosa itself.
• The Alamosa Public Library shall not reconsider the same library resource more than once every two years.
• A written request for reconsideration of a library resource is not a library user record, and is an open record under the “Colorado Open Records Act”.

The following procedures will be followed when a patron or group finds a program objectionable or unsuitable for the public:

1. The patron or group will be asked to submit a Request for Reconsideration of Program form to the Library Director. The patron may leave the completed form at the Library or mail it to the Library Director.
2. If the program under reconsideration has not yet taken place, it will remain on the calendar, and will not be delayed or canceled until a final decision has been made. If a decision cannot be made before the program is scheduled to take place, the program will proceed as scheduled and the decision of the committee will affect future programming decisions.
3. Upon receipt of the completed form, the Library Director will assign at least three library staff members to research the program. This research will take into account:
   • The program’s support of the Library’s mission and goals.
   • The program’s history, attendance and impact if it is a recurring program.
   • How similar programs have functioned in other communities, and the anticipated impact of this program if it is new.
   • Representation of and appeal to diverse groups.
4. The Request for Reconsideration form will be presented to the Library Board along with the staff committee’s findings at the next regular meeting of the Board. The Library Director and the Library Board will arrive at a decision that is based on the committee’s findings, the opinions of  Board Members, and the program’s value to the community. A second meeting may be needed if the Board feels more time is needed to reach a decision.
   • Library Board meetings are open to the public, with time for public comment.
5. The program in question will either:
   • Be canceled, and no longer take place in the Library.
   • Be modified in content or delivery, perhaps by including an age limit.
   • Proceed as usual.
6. The individual or group will be officially notified in writing of the decision of the Library Board and the Library Director.
7. As a final recourse, patrons who still feel that their concerns have not been adequately met have the ability to express their issues to the City Council.

Approved by Library Board | July 23, 2024
Alamosa Public Library, 300 Hunt Ave., Alamosa, CO 81101

The form, “REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF PROGAM” can be found at the end of the printable policy.