Community Library Network removes 'diversity, equity, inclusion' language from website

HAYDEN — Trustees of the Community Library Network unanimously voted to remove the words "diversity, equity and inclusion" from the network's website Thursday during a meeting at the Hayden Library.

“I believe that this is incongruent with the CLN’s personnel manual," Vice Chair Tom Hanley said, reading from a prepared statement.

"In my opinion, 'diversity, equity and inclusion' is a form of affirmative action and as such it is discriminatory in nature and therefore DEI should have no place within the Community Library Network,” he read.

The language under "Work with Us" on communitylibrary.net reads: "We provide a welcoming and empowering environment for learning and discovery. As a public library system, we remain attentive to the need to advance our digital presence. We create an inclusive culture that honors diversity, equity and inclusion celebrating differences and unique learning styles."

Hanley referred to the equal employment opportunity section of the personnel manual, where the language differs.

"Hiring and decisions affecting employment, including classification, transfer, discipline and discharge, will be made without regard to the race, religion, gender, age, national origin or non-job-related disability," the manual states. "No job, or class of jobs, will be closed to any individual except where a mental or physical attribute, gender, or age is a bona fide occupational qualification. Objections to application of District policy will be brought to the attention of the Director or in the case of objection to actions undertaken by the Director, to the Board of Trustees."

The website will now read, "We create an inclusive culture celebrating differences and unique learning styles." 

"Equity, it means a lot of different things to a lot of people," Trustee Tim Plass said.

"The library should not be getting itself in cultural movements," Plass said. "Let's be a little neutral. If we want to celebrate differences and unique learning styles, we can say that, but let's not get involved in diversity, equity and inclusion because it's too confusing and it is a cultural hot button right now. Let's not try to be a leader in that, just strike those words."

Chair Rachelle Ottosen said although some people will disagree, and diversity, equity and inclusion sound good at face value, "the academia who invented and pushed DEI, pushed the DEI concept, clearly state it is intended to divide the people against each other and usher in Marxism."

The nearly four-hour meeting also included discussions about impending budget requirements; facilities updates on the network's two libraries that are still not fully open following winter weather damage in January; looming Sunday closures and cutting back on library hours; insurance concerns; and locking away materials deemed objectionable for minors in a cabinet or room where they can't be seen or accessed by young people.

"I don't think certain books are harmful to minors the way maybe some other trustees think (they) are harmful to minors. I wouldn't think a romance book would be harmful to minors," Trustee Vanessa Robinson said. "I haven't read one in a while, maybe they've changed, I don't know."

Trustee Karen Campbell questioned who would decide what materials would go into the locked box.

"Who would have to decide is the courts," Robinson said. "They would have to do a reconsideration form, and it would have to go to the staff. And if it was challenged again, it would go to the courts. You can't just put books in a locked cabinet."

Trustees also discussed how to go about filling the business manager position amid the board's decision to impose a hiring freeze. Longtime business manager Janelle Sells resigned at the end of July.

Plass was adamant Interim Library Director Lindsey Miller-Escarfuller include input from incoming Library Director Martin Walters before making any hiring decisions. Walters is expected to assume the director role Sept. 15. The network's Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget is required to be adopted by Aug. 27, or an extension must be requested.

Attorney Colton Boyles asked that if the network didn't have a budget issue for the business manager position, then why would the board prohibit that position to be filled?

"Because the new library director needed to be involved," Plass said.

Treasurer Yasmin Harris advocated for external candidates to be an option.

"It is in my authority to hire staff; it is not in the board's authority. We do not have a budget issue. Each of these positions are budgeted. Martin Walters has not been hired yet; he is not on our payroll. He has no authority," Miller-Escarfuller said. "I am really struggling that the only reason you've limited my ability to do my job is because of respect for Martin Walters, which shows a complete lack of respect for me and the work that I'm doing."

All but Robinson voted to lift the hiring freeze for the business manager position to be filled by an internal candidate and "backfill" positions to be filled with approval from the incoming director. Robinson abstained.

The board is expected to meet at 5 or 6 p.m. Thursday at the Hayden Library for a possible budget adoption.