1. Library staff plans and develops programs for the community based on relevance to community interests and issues, popular appeal, and suitability for a general audience. Program presenters are chosen for their expertise and public performance experience. Other mitigating programming factors include the availability of staff and meeting rooms.

2. The library may cosponsor programs with other agencies, organizations, and institutions. These individual or organizational partners must coordinate marketing efforts with the library’s Public Relations Department.

3. The library does not discriminate in its programming. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute endorsement of the content or the views expressed by the presenter or the participants. Program topics, speakers and resources are not excluded from programs because of possible controversy, and the library will strive to offer multiple viewpoints.

4. The library does not plan programs that are commercial or religious in nature. Although a professional, business or religious person may be invited to speak, the purpose of the program is to educate, inform, or entertain. Programs are not designed for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes or for the solicitation of business.

5. Most library programs are free and open to the public; however, some public programs or classes may require a nominal materials fee.

6. Some library programs may be designed for library fund-raising and may include an admission fee or be by invitation only.

7. Some events may require registration and/or may be ticketed, on a first-come, first-served basis. For programs in high demand, residents in the library’s service area will receive priority.

8. Program attendance may not exceed the room capacity.

9. Library staff members who present programs do so as part of their regular job and are not hired as outside contractors for programming.

10. Concerns, questions or complaints about library programs should be referred to library administration.

Guidelines for Selling Books, Recordings, Art, and Other Items at Library Programs

Program presenters who are authors or artists are invited to sell and sign books, music, movies and art following library programs.
Because the library advertises the programs, and provides the presenters with a sales outlet, and sometimes pays them an honorarium, program presenters must agree to donate 15% of the sales of their books, movies, music, or art to the Shaker Heights Public Library Endowment Fund.
The intent of the agreement is to provide:

• Awareness of the library’s Endowment Fund and its importance.
  
• A small income stream to the Endowment Fund.