Programming Procedures
The Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Board of Trustees Policies include Section 1.7, PPLD Programming, and Section 1.7.1, Age-Appropriate Programming, which outline the Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) authority and responsibility to manage Programs and Events available at all PPLD locations and to ensure that age-appropriate programming is available separately for children and teens, offering educational or literacy-focused outcomes consistent with the mission and purpose of PPLD.
The CEO ensures the following procedures guide the selection, implementation, and continuous evaluation of programs offered at PPLD, reflecting PPLD’s Rights and Responsibilities Statement. Programs are a means through which the public can share experiences, appreciate special interests, and exchange information. PPLD opens all programs to the public; however, PPLD will limit some programs (i.e., children’s programs and storytimes) to age-specific audiences. PPLD will include age specifications in program publicity efforts.
Programs are offered free of charge to all patrons regardless of age, race, religion, familial beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation. PPLD’s philosophy of open access to information and ideas extends to Library programming, and PPLD does not discriminate through its programming.
Administrative Procedures
- The following general criteria are used to evaluate potential program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources:
- Relation to Library’s mission, service goals, collections, resources, and exhibits
- Community needs and interests
- Availability of program space
- Treatment of content for intended audience
- Presentation quality as determined from references and/or experiences
- Presenter background/qualifications in content area
- Budget
- Relevance to community interests and issues
- Historical or educational significance
- Connection to other community programs, exhibitions, or events
- Intended experiences for targeted audiences
- Intent to foster creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship
- Staffing resources
- Variety of current offerings
- The following guidelines describe how programs are implemented at PPLD:
- PPLD does not offer programs of a commercial nature, including but not limited to presentations offered at no cost to patrons but with the intention of soliciting future business. This does not mean, however, that representatives of businesses and for-profit enterprises cannot be presenters in Library-sponsored events. Any information must be of general interest. PPLD permits presenters to have business-related brochures, flyers, or other information available for attendees to pick up if interested. Presenters cannot distribute such materials as part of the event.
- PPLD draws upon other community resources in developing programs and actively works with other community agencies, organizations, educational and cultural institutions, and individuals to develop and present co-sponsored public programs.
- PPLD may hire professional performers and presenters that reflect specialized or unique expertise for Library programs, regardless of age, race, religion, familial beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation.
- PPLD staff who present programs do so as part of their job.
- PPLD may permit the sale of books written by speakers or recordings by performers in conjunction with a library-sponsored program. PPLD staff who are responsible for a program must approve any plans to sell such items in advance.
- PPLD does not offer programs that support or oppose any political candidate, ballot measure, or specific religious conviction.
- Medical, legal, and tax-related programs hosted by PPLD will be general in nature and not diagnostic or individually specific. Specific medical, legal, or tax-related advice will not be offered as part of a PPLD program.
- When PPLD holds grant-sponsored programs, PPLD staff will adhere to the dictates and rules of the grant.
- Performers, musicians, and/or program volunteers who use music, movies, or other copyrighted materials in Library programs should only use material for which they have permission to use; however, they intend to use it. PPLD expects that performers, musicians, and program volunteers will obtain any necessary copyright permission and/or license for any non-original works used for any Library event. This includes works performed live and/or use of recorded music, and content accessed through streaming services.
- PPLD staff may require program attendees to sign a waiver form to participate in programs, such as movement activities, makerspace programs, studio use, and cooking.
- Presenters may not bring, use, display, store, or distribute open flames, pyrotechnics, fireworks, flammable or hazardous materials, compressed gas cylinders, smoke or fog-producing devices, weapons, explosives, biological hazards, or any other item that may present a safety risk to attendees, staff, or Library facilities.
- Food served at programs must remain in designated eating areas during the program.
- PPLD handles concerns, questions, or complaints about library-initiated programs according to the Reconsideration of Library Resources and Use of Library Facilities Policy.
- Community members can reserve a meeting room for the purpose of presenting their own programs. PPLD does not sponsor these community programs, nor does PPLD provide marketing or promotional assistance for community-hosted programs. Please review the Event, Meeting and Study Room Policy and Procedures
- Those wishing to have a program sponsored by PPLD must complete the online Program Presenter Application. PPLD programming staff will review and either approve or disapprove any presenter proposals.
- PPLD will make every attempt to accommodate all who wish to attend a program. However, when safety or the success of a program requires it, PPLD may limit attendance or determine attendance on a first-come, first-served basis, either with advanced registration or at the door.
- Participants who repeatedly register for programs and fail to attend without prior proper cancellation may have future registration privileges temporarily restricted to ensure fair access for all participants.
- In order to make programs accessible to as many patrons as possible, patrons may be asked to register for only one occurrence of a program when multiple dates and times are offered.
- Some programs that require preregistration may require a PPLD library card. Parents and caregivers may use one card to register each minor for programs ages 17 and under, except for Makerspace and Studio programs. Makerspace and Studio Use Policy
- PPLD does not share program attendee information with presenters.
Updated on Sept. 14, 2026
Related PPLD Policies
The following policies are accessible on our Library Policies page.