Minor library card policy on agenda for Thursday meeting in Pinehurst

Actions may be taken on policies regarding library cards for minors and adult-only access areas when Community Library Network trustees meet from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Pinehurst Library.

The Library Cards for Minors Policy was last approved March 16, 2023. At the top of the current policy, it states parents and legal guardians can authorize their children under the age of 18 to have their own library cards. The extent to which a minor child has access to the library's collection is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian and not dependent on the minor child's age.

The policy offers three options for children to access the library collection: only the children's section, geared to ages 1-12; the children and teen collections, for 0-15; and open access to the entire collection, including to the collections of the Cooperative Information Network. The CIN allows library card holders to borrow titles from libraries outside the Community Library Network, such as the Clarkia District Library in rural Clarkia or the Coeur d'Alene Public Library in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

An adults-only access area was discussed by the CLN board at its Sept. 19 meeting, when newly hired Library Director Martin Walters requested he have time to assess the collection before committing to a locked cabinet, closet or other adults-only area where materials deemed objectionable may be stored.

Thursday's meeting will also include a five-minute interim director compensation discussion, a 15-minute trustee training and five minutes to respond to public comment heard at the last meeting.

The Pinehurst Library is at 107 Main Ave., Pinehurst.