Danvers trustees adopt formal programming policy with content-advisory language

The Town of Danvers Board of Library Trustees voted to adopt a new programming policy at their meeting, approving language that allows content advisories and clarifies how attendee names may be shared.

The policy, which trustees discussed at length before a roll call vote, adds a line saying content advisories may be used when appropriate and revises a sentence to state attendees "may voluntarily choose to give their names to a presenter at the time of the program." Trustees also agreed to attach the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement as supporting documents.

Why it matters: trustees said the policy gives staff clearer rules for programming and public events at a time when libraries are frequently asked to balance open discourse with community concerns. Board members said the attached statements put the policy in the context of longstanding library principles.

During discussion, Trustee Charles said he was "very impressed with the document" and that it "gives a tremendous amount of space" for public discourse while allowing staff to manage programs. The director said she had reviewed about 30 programming policies from other libraries and combined language she believed to be best practice.

Trustee Julie moved to adopt the policy; Trustee Renee seconded. The motion passed. Trustees changed a single word in the draft (replacing "elect" with "choose") to clarify that name-sharing is voluntary.

The trustees did not record a numerical roll-call tally in the meeting transcript; the meeting minutes will supply exact vote counts.

Next steps: the board will include the adopted policy and the attached statements with library materials about programming and make the document available to the public online and at the library.