Library books policies to headline next CLN meeting
A special meeting of the Community Library Network's board of trustees will be held from 2-5 p.m. Thursday at the Post Falls Library.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
Policies for acquiring, deselecting and reconsidering library books and other materials will be the main subjects of discussion when the Community Library Network's board of trustees holds a special meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Post Falls Library.
A time of two hours has been allotted for trustees to discuss a materials acquisition policy. The board currently does not have a specific "acquisition" policy but operates using a materials selection policy that was approved Nov. 4, 2022. The present board has been discussing proposed changes to the materials selection policy for several months.
Forty minutes will be spent discussing a deselection and reconsideration policy.
The meeting packet includes drafts of an updated materials selection policy proposed by Vice Chair Tom Hanley, as well as a materials withdraw and reconsideration policy also proposed by Hanley.
Community Library Network Director Alexa Eccles noted the upcoming meeting includes almost three hours devoted to library selection, deselection and the reconsideration process.
"Many library users and staff have expressed concern about what the changes in policy would mean for their community, our libraries and the collection," Eccles said Friday. "This board in action appears to want to take a more hands-on role, already spending over 350 meeting minutes in discussion. The current proposal recommends removing books believed to be inappropriate and limiting the staff’s ability to purchase books and materials based on the content, which is objected to by some community members."
She said it is the mission of the library network to empower discovery through access to books and materials for all ages.
The insurance process and a discussion of future agenda requests are also on the agenda.
No public comment will be permitted at this special meeting.
Board packet materials can be found at communitylibrary.net.
Visit communitylibrary.net for information and to contact the board of trustees.
The Post Falls Library is at 821 N. Spokane St.