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  • PROPOSE A PROGRAM

    The mission of the Santa Monica Public Library is to provide resources, services, and a place to encourage the community to Read, Connect, Relax, and Learn. 

    Library programs are free and open to the public and are intended to promote and enhance the collections, services and mission of the Santa Monica Public Library. Library programs are developed and presented for adults and include such activities as book discussions, author talks, lectures, film screenings, workshops, poetry readings, and musical concerts.

    Program proposals from the public, which complement the library's collections, services, and goals are selected by the Adult Programming Committee according to the needs and interests of the community; the suitability of each library's physical space; the program's contribution to the library's overall schedule of events; and the availability of Library staff to assist with the presentation of the program at the library venue. Programs must comply with the library meeting room policies, which mandate the program be open to the public, free of charge and prohibit commercial advertising or direct solicitation. Individuals and organizations interested in partnering with the library on adult programs are invited to submit a proposal according to the guidelines set forth below.

    For more information on policy Library co-produced programs, click here.

    For more information on proposing a Kids or Teens program, click here.

     Program Proposal Main Image

  • ADULT PROGRAM GUIDELINES

    Proposals are accepted according to the following schedule:

    Program Submission Deadline For Programs Which Take Place
    February 15 June, July, August
    May 15 September, October, November
    August 15 December, January, February
    November 15 March, April, May

    Applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection within approximately three weeks of submission deadlines. Proposals must include all of the required information. Mail your completed program proposal to:

    Public Services Office
    Attn: Program Proposals
    Santa Monica Public Library
    601 Santa Monica Boulevard
    Santa Monica, CA 90401

    Or email the proposal to: libraryprograms@smgov.net.  Please include PROGRAM PROPOSAL in the subject line. NOTE: To receive an email response regarding your proposal, please place libraryprograms@smgov.net on your allowed emails whitelist.  The library will not respond to 'challenge and response' email systems.

    Proposal Requirements

    • Contact name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, email address
    • Name of organization (if any)
    • Description of program:
      • Title and outline of program
      • Length
      • Format (lecture, film, panel discussion, etc.)
      • Estimated cost of program and source of funding (if any)
      • Names of speakers and/or performers with biographical information
       
    • Previous presentations of this program (if any). Please include a publicity sample.
    • Describe how your program complements the library collections, services, goals and interests of the community.
    • Preferred library location:
      • Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard
      • Fairview Branch, 2101 Ocean Park Boulevard
      • Montana Avenue Branch, 1704 Montana Avenue
      • Ocean Park Branch, 2601 Main Street
      • Pico Branch, 2201 Pico Boulevard
       
    • Preferred date(s), day(s), and time(s)
    • Intended audience and estimated audience size
    • Any additional publicity services that you can provide to promote program, such as a listserv, website , or Facebook posting
    • Equipment needs
    • Public performance or screening rights, if applicable 
    • Book or CD sales (if any)

    Proposals are reviewed by the Adult Programming Committee and accepted on a competitive basis according to the criteria set out in the Adult Program Guidelines.  A limited number of proposals are accepted each quarter. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection within approximately three weeks of submission deadlines. Applicants may also inquire with Library Administration, 310-458-8606, regarding renting Library meeting rooms.

    If the Program Proposal is Accepted

    The Santa Monica Public Library will:

    • Identify a staff member who will serve as your contact and attend your program
    • Provide a space and set-up
    • Produce appropriate publicity, such as press releases to the local media, appropriate printed materials, and inclusion the the Library's monthly calendar of events

    The partnering organization or individual will:

    • Provide a contact person who is authorized to make decisions and will attend your program
    • Work with the library contact person to coordinate publicity, meet publicity deadlines and provide complete information
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