Books are not the only subject of challenges. The American Library Association (ALA) data shows that 18% of challenges reported were about programmes, events, and displays (Garnar, 2021). The majority of their challenges related to LGBTQI+ programmes, but other topics are also the subject of challenges.
Challenges to events are different to challenges to books in a collection and must be handled differently. They are different in that they:
are time-sensitive. A programme or event has a deadline and a time when it will occur. The procedure for handling the challenge must fit within this deadline.
Can impact the physical safety of staff, attendees, event organisers and library users.
May involve personal identification for staff or organisers who are running the event.
Libraries may run events or programmes for informational, educational, recreational, or community engagement purposes, often alongside a community group or external partner. The library may use its budget to arrange or run an event. This might include allowing an external group to book your library space to run their own event. These are all factors that may arise in a challenge or complaint.
Given the time-sensitive nature of events and programmes, your procedures for managing an event challenge will be divided into three categories: pre-preparedness, planning for a challenged event, and after the event.
Have a programming policy
The USA Library Bill of Rights states that "library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all the people of the community the library serves."
This notion of the library as a public forum raises tricky questions about deciding what events and programmes will be run, and what parameters to use for selection. However, much like books, libraries make decisions on what events they do and do not run, and what groups they do and don't partner with.
Having guidelines and parameters set in policy will aid you in this decision-making. It may be that you share your building or library services with other places of work, such as a community centre or an arts facility. If there is some crossover in your work, you may want to collaborate with them on the programming policy and procedures.
Socially excluded, marginalised, and underrepresented people, not just the mainstream majority, should be able to see themselves reflected in the resources and programs that libraries offer.
Programs should not be cancelled because of the ideas or topics of the programme or the views expressed by the participants or speakers, nor should library workers censor or remove displays because someone may disagree with the content.
The content or topic of a programme or event does not necessarily represent the view of the library or its staff.
The library is not obligated to hold events or programmes representing opposing viewpoints.
Your programming/event policy should cover:
The purpose or mission of running programmes and events.
Such as to highlight your collections, promote your services, outreach to wider audiences, or to benefit the community.
Guidelines for selection of programmes and events.
Include internally initiated events, choice of programming partner, and groups who use your spaces to run events.
State that the library holds the right to determine programmes and events and may impose restrictions on the use of its spaces.
Craft your parameters and restrictions by setting a clear statement about declining groups or events that represent a viewpoint that is detrimental or non-inclusive to other groups in your community.
Link into any governance strategies and policy e.g. from your council.
Link to any policies or procedures you have. Such as your complaints process or reconsideration policy.
Link to any statements or legislation that you endorse such as the LIANZA Freedom of Information statement.
Here are some examples of programming policy you can find online:
If there is likely to be challenges at your event it is important that you make sure the following steps are taken.
Ensure you set time aside to review the experience after the dust has settled. Learning from the experience will help you be better prepared in the future. Challenging events and the risks and hazards associated with them may also have taken a toll on staff, especially if complaints have been threatening or abusive.
Make time for staff support in the aftermath. Consider a peer-support style group, or a feedback, de-escalation session.
An emotional impact can be felt by library users or public at the event, particularly if there was protest activity, threats of abuse and violence, or discriminatory and non-inclusive viewpoints. Think of ways you can reassure your library and make them feel welcome and safe to return in the aftermath of a challenged event.
Review your event planning and risk management guide. Did everything work? Were there things missing? Do the policies or plan need reviewing?
Share your learnings and any plan or policy changes with staff.
Debrief with upper management, councillors, and council executive on the nature of communications you received from complainants, risks that arose, and the impact on your service and staff.
Share your experiences and learnings with your industry colleagues or wider local community who might benefit from hearing about how you managed the situation.
