Library Newsroom Editorial Standards
To ensure clarity, consistency, transparency and trust, the Library Newsroom will follow a set of editorial standards that reflect our commitment to accessibility, accuracy, inclusivity and engagement. These standards, shaped with input from residents participating in the Library Newsroom, will guide contributions and help create a project that is informative, welcoming and reflective of the community. These standards will continue to evolve based on community feedback and participation. As the newsroom grows, we may expand categories, refine our review process and add guidelines for specific content areas.
1. Purpose
The Library Newsroom is a community-driven information and connection hub, not a traditional news outlet.
Our goal is to inform, connect and uplift community voices while maintaining a clear editorial structure.
Content will focus on events, resources, neighborhood stories and community news. While we encourage people to pursue stories they are curious about and care deeply about, we generally avoid political opinion, especially at the national level and often at the local level as well. We recognize that investigative journalism is essential to a healthy press, but we will not pursue investigative work here. In many cases, the skills and time required for that type of reporting fall outside the scope of this project.
By making the editorial process visible and participatory, the Library Newsroom also helps build civic confidence, giving residents a clearer sense of how information is gathered, verified and shared.
2. Content guidelines
What we publish:
Neighborhood stories: Pieces that reflect the experiences, culture and history of the community.
Community spotlights: Profiles of residents, businesses and organizations.
Community news: Brief, factual updates about things that directly affect daily life in the neighborhood.
Resource guides: Information that helps residents navigate everyday life in the neighborhood, including resources related to serious issues as well as cultural and artistic opportunities.
Event listings: Local happenings, library programs and civic events.
What we don’t publish:
Explicit political endorsements or partisan content.
Unverified claims, rumors or opinion-based commentary.
Personal disputes or complaints that cannot be responsibly verified.
Stories requiring investigative reporting, legal analysis or specialized expertise outside the newsroom’s capacity.
Content that is discriminatory, offensive or outside the newsroom’s mission, capacity or scope.
3. Editorial principles
Accuracy and clarity
Information must be factual, clear, and sourced from first-hand sources.
Submissions will be reviewed for accuracy and readability before publication.
Contributors participate in fact-checking their own stories when possible, learning how to verify information as part of the process.
Accessibility and inclusion
Efforts will be made to provide translations where possible to serve non-English-speaking residents.
Submissions should be welcoming and inclusive, reflecting the diversity of the community.
Moderation and review
All stories will be edited to maintain quality and relevance.
Submissions should align with the Library Newsroom Projects values and community standards.
A small editorial team or advisory group (project leads, library staff, engaged community members) will review content.
4. Community participation and submissions
Who can submit? Any resident, community group, or library staff member.
How to submit? Attend one of the sessions and talk to project leads or send an email to terry@librarynewsroom.org.
Review process: Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, accuracy and alignment with newsroom guidelines.
Editorial oversight: The newsroom team will work with contributors to refine and clarify their submissions.
Note: The goal is to guide, not gatekeep. Contributors are supported throughout the process so they can feel confident shaping their own stories.
5. Tone and style
Conversational yet informative : Content should be engaging, not overly formal.
Community-first approach: Prioritizing local voices and perspectives.
Respectful and people-centered: Stories should reflect care, dignity and sensitivity toward the people and experiences represented.
Brief and actionable: Focused on clarity, avoiding jargon or dense language.
6. Ethical Considerations
No misinformation: Content should be sourced, and will be fact-checked when necessary.
No stereotypes or generalizations: Stories should reflect the full dignity and diversity of the community.
Privacy and sensitivity: If a story includes personal experiences, contributors must provide explicit consent for publication.
Respect community context: Stories should be handled with care when addressing sensitive issues such as housing, immigration or personal hardship.