Under 30? You may need your ID for that book

"Adult" materials in the Community Library Network may be kept under lock and key per a proposal the CLN board will consider today.

The board will discuss its Library Cards for Minors Policy and Trustee Tim Plass' Aug. 8 draft of an Adult-Access Only Restricted Area Policy during a regular meeting from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Post Falls Library.

Plass' adults-only policy recommends materials be placed in lockable rooms, such as closets or cabinets, not observable from the outside. These areas would be inaccessible to anyone without an Adult Open Access library card, available only to those 18 and older. 

"Patrons under the age of 30 will be asked for government-issued photo ID for proof of age when signing up an Adult Open Access library card," according to the draft policy, which can be viewed on communitylibrary.net in today's meeting packet.

Access to these areas would be granted by requesting a key at the front desk, according to the draft policy, only after a library staff member has visually verified the patron's adult library card. Patrons must also print and sign their names and write their library card and key numbers in a logbook, noting time and date of entry and key return and information of staff member who assisted.

These areas may be monitored with video cameras.

"As security camera systems are installed in CLN libraries, one camera shall be allocated to monitor the entrance of the Adult Access Only entrances," the draft states.

According to Idaho Code 18-1513, regarding materials deemed obscene being disseminated to minors, the legislature seeks to "restrain the distribution, promotion, or dissemination of obscene material, or of material harmful to minors, or the performance of obscene performances, or performances harmful to minors."

Idaho Code 18-1517B, the "Children's School and Library Protection" law enacted July 1, forbids schools and libraries from making any obscene-deemed materials available to minors. Any institution accused of making such materials available has 60 days to relocate said materials to adults-only areas. Failure to do so would require the institution to pay $250 in damages.

The CLN will also welcome its new director, Martin Walters, at today's meeting. 

Public comment will be permitted.