LIBRARIES: Clearing muddy waters

Since my name was specifically targeted in a hit piece by the questionably resourced “Rigged Red Card” with half-truths and inaccurate statements, I would like to set the record straight on the most salient issue referenced: the Cooperative Information Network’s unnecessary break with the Community Library Network. First and foremost, CLN is bound by Idaho State Law to protect minors from having direct access to certain sexually explicit materials. CLN Board members along with most Idahoans strongly support the protection of minors. 

In order to follow Idaho State Law, materials deemed to be unsafe for minors must be out of direct access by minors and parents cannot just give permission for their children to check out such material. Instead, a parent wanting these materials for their child must personally check out those materials for their child. To facilitate a parent’s right to have their child protected from direct access to sexually explicit materials, CLN provided library cards for minors to ensure their access to these materials was restricted. CIN took exception to this lawfully-required protective step for minors by not wanting to honor the minor card system. The CLN Board held firm in the protection of children and the need for CIN member libraries to honor minor held cards. CIN then took the drastic action to dissolve the consortium instead of complying.

CLN cares about the needs of our patrons, we are in the process of increasing our collection by 25,000 titles for materials that are not currently a part of the CLN collection. CLN will continue to take proactive steps to meet patron’s needs and I’m proud to support this treasured institution.

VICTORIA BAUMAN

CLN Trustee

Coeur d’Alene