LIBRARY PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES:

A. OVERVIEW:

It is the aim of the Berkshire Athenaeum to bring people and the resources of the library together, and all library techniques exist for the purpose of providing the best services – educational, cultural and recreational – to the greatest number of people.  The library recognizes that, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, library services are made available to any resident of the Commonwealth. However, the Library Trustees assume that as part of its primary mission, service to Pittsfield residents should not suffer as a direct result of the library's providing service to residents of other communities.

B.   PROGRAM POLICY:

B.1.   For a variety of reasons, attendance at special programs offered by the library may need to be limited.  In those cases, admission to a program shall be given to persons having current library registration without financial liability to the library, and according to the following priority listing:

B.1.a.  Current Pittsfield resident
B.1.b.  Current Pittsfield taxpayer not residing in Pittsfield
B.1.c.  Massachusetts resident
B.1.d.  Non-Massachusetts resident

B.2.   Within each priority grouping, admission will be approved on a first come, first served basis.  Priority registration to programs sponsored by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum may be given to current members of that organization.

B.3.   Organizations (i.e. daycare facilities, nursery schools, or other educational programs) wishing to enroll more than one participant will be admitted only if there is available space at the time of the program.  Children's Room staff offer special programming to this audience in the normal course of its outreach service.

B.4.   Special limitations may be imposed during vacation weeks when several programs are offered requiring preregistration.

C.  PROCEDURES:

C.1.  Notice of library programs are posted on library bulletin boards, distributed to the local papers, radio station and cable television channel.  Those programs having limited space will require registration in advance.

C.2.  Admission to programs will be made according to the above priority listing during a specified period of time, until an established "priority cut-off date," after which all applications will be judged on the same priority basis.

C.3.  On the "priority cut-off date," a listing of eligible program participants will be compiled according to the established priorities.