Over-budget CLN board severs from ALA

POST FALLS — Trustees of the Community Library Network voted Thursday to disaffiliate from the American Library Association in accordance with a resolution that was adopted and approved by the board majority Sept. 15.

This action, effective immediately, was taken despite two board members and the library director expressing concern and requesting clarification about the language within the resolution, the full wording of which can be found on the Community Library Network’s website. The board’s counsel, Colton Boyles, said he found no significant legal concerns with the resolution and did not recommend not approving the resolution.

“I still have deep concerns that this resolution is in conflict with Idaho Code,” said Trustee Katie Blank, who cast the sole opposing vote. Trustee Vanessa Robinson abstained, citing a lack of clarity.

One paragraph of the resolution states, “Now, therefore, be it resolved that the CLN will no longer have any association with, nor be associated with, the ALA, its affiliates, organizations, subdivisions or subsidiaries thereof.”

“I would just state on the record that it’s unclear to me what an ALA organization, subdivision or subsidiary thereof is,” Library Director Alexa Eccles said.

Vice Chair Tom Hanley suggested that when such questions arise they be addressed with Boyles.

“That does sound like a good idea, but I literally just asked him if he could tell us what exactly that meant and he did read some things off to us — I’m not saying he didn’t try to give an answer — but we’re still not 100% on if the (Idaho Commission For Libraries) or (Cooperative Information Network), if that would be an issue,” Robinson said.

She said that is the biggest part of the resolution with which she has a problem.

“I don’t think it’s clear what it is,” Robinson said.

The American Library Association is a nonprofit that promotes libraries and library education. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with nearly 50,000 members as of 2021. Board Chair Rachelle Ottosen proposed resolutions at previous meetings to break ties with the American Library Association because of its election of a "self-avowed lesbian Marxist who states that she wishes to use the collectivist power of the ALA to 'queer the catalog' and/or 'queer the library,' which in one reasonable interpretation of the phrase(s) means weaponizing taxpayers' hard-earned money against them by promoting dangerous Marxist ideology.”

Thursday’s more than three-and-a-half-hour meeting at the Post Falls Library was well attended, with nine community members contributing public comment.

During the director’s report, Eccles informed the board its carryforward reserve fund balance, which covers unexpected expenses, is just more than $526,500 — lower than the $816,000 she would prefer. She said in order to maintain the network’s long-term financial stability and growth, the board and staff will need to be conservative in managing risks and spending in the 2024 fiscal year.

Concerns lie with insurance and legal and professional service costs. Eccles said the board will likely see actual expenditures about $63,000 over budget. She recommended to the board that during the next regular meeting in November, trustees decide if their intention is to spend reserve funds or to reduce other line items, such as collections of physical and e-materials. Insurance had been budgeted at $51,293 but the estimated actual is now $64,719.

“That’s 26% more, or $13,426 over budget with the addition of Great American Insurance,” Eccles said.

The board recently elected to acquire a supplement-type insurance policy from Great American Insurance Group after exploring insurance options following coverage reductions from the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program.

Legal and professional is now estimated to run 61%, or $50,000, over budget, with an estimated cost of $8,000 per month to Boyles Law. In fiscal year 2023, the network paid $47,691 in legal fees to: Lake City Law $22,477; Stevens Clay, $7,219; and Boyles Law, $17,994. Legal fees from 2022 and 2021 were $3,670 and $3,128, respectively.

Also during the meeting, trustees discussed the board’s impending presentation and appeal to return to good standing with the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, taking place later this month. The board also discussed changes to its materials selection policy, using a draft crafted by Hanley. That conversation will continue at a special meeting of the board, set for 2-5 p.m. Nov. 2.

Info: communitylibrary.net