Library board debates age limits for unsupervised children

At a Nov. 6 special meeting in Post Falls, the board discussed the Children's School and Library Protection Act and policies regarding unaccompanied minors in libraries.

Board Chair Rachelle Ottosen questioned whether age 12 was appropriate for unsupervised library visits. 

"I hate to infantilize kids, but on the other hand I'm not the librarian that has to deal with sugared-up kids running around the library loose," she said.

Trustee Tim Plass advocated for a lower age limit, noting that children often use libraries as after-school waiting areas. 

"I used to do the same thing at our little town, when grade school basketball practice was over," he said.

The network's current policy requires children under 9 to be supervised by a parent, caregiver aged 14 or older or a certified babysitter.

The board discussed special collections and adults-only areas, how to allow access to collections for families that wish their children to have full access while keeping objectionable materials away from children and how it's up to parents to opt out of normal library cards if they wish to restrict their children's access.

Library Director Martin Walters emphasized parental responsibility. 

"This is how libraries normally operate — parents are the ones who should be making the decisions about what they want their children to read and see."

Trustee Vanessa Robinson urged the board to focus on core issues. 

“I wish we could look at all these policies together and just realize that parents do have a right, No. 1," she said. "That’s what I want to get out, is parents do have a right to say, ‘I want my child to have access to the entire library.'"

Community Library Network is accepting nominations through Friday for a vacant board of trustees position following Karen Campbell's Oct. 22 resignation. Campbell stepped down after moving outside the district, which serves Post Falls, Hayden, Athol, Rathdrum, Harrison, Spirit Lake and Pinehurst.

Trustees must be 18 or older, live within the district, and commit at least five hours monthly to district business, including attending meetings. Interested candidates should send a half-page to one-page statement about their interest to Library Director Martin Walters at martinw@communitylibrary.net.

The board plans to interview candidates and potentially select a new trustee at its next meeting, scheduled for 2-5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Athol Library.

Info: communitylibrary.net