The Library Board is interested in hearing from the public and provides the opportunity for the public to speak during the Public Comment section of the meeting. In order for the Board of Trustees to fulfill its obligation to complete the scheduled meeting agenda in an effective and efficient fashion, a maximum of 15 minutes of public participation will be permitted at each meeting when the public is present.
The following rules shall govern speakers who address the Board:
- Speakers wishing to speak must be present at the meeting. Public comment by use of any telecommunications device to speak at any regular or special meeting will not be permitted, except in the case of individuals with disabilities that prevent them from attending in person. Individuals who cannot attend due to disability or who require disability related accommodations to allow them to observe and /or participate are requested to contact the library in advance, if possible, to allow the library to try to arrange reasonable accommodations.
- Members of the public wishing to speak are urged but not required to sign in with the Executive Director or Board President prior to the commencement of the Board Meeting and provide their name, address and topic on which they wish to speak. If applicable, the individual will provide the organization or association with which they are affiliated.
- Public participation and comment will be permitted during the “Public Comment” portion of the Agenda.
- The Board President or person presiding over the meeting will ask if anyone wishes to address the Board and will determine the order in which the speakers are recognized. In order to promote effective and efficient “Public Comment,” preference will be given to speakers who sign in.
- The time allowed for each person to speak will be three (3) minutes. Speakers are asked to strictly adhere to time allocated and to be brief and to the point.
- Speakers are urged to identify themselves, their residence address, topic(s) and group affiliation, if any, before speaking.
- Speakers may provide written copies of their concern to the Board. Requests to append written statements or correspondence to the meeting minutes will not be favored as meeting minutes are a summary of the Board’s discussion and actions. Written materials presented to the Board will be included in the Board’s files, but will not be attached to the meeting minutes.
- Groups are asked to designate a single spokesperson.
- Any individual may record statements made during the Public Comment Period however, recordings should be conducted in such a manner so as not to interfere with the business of the Board.
- Board members will generally not respond to comments from speakers. The Board President or other presiding officer may respond as appropriate and, for example, ask questions for clarification or direct speakers to the appropriate staff member for assistance. Issues requiring possible action by the Board may be added to a future agenda. Issues that may need to be addressed by the administration will be duly noted.
- Individuals addressing the Board must at all times adhere to the library policies and other rules as may be necessary for the efficient and orderly conduct of the meeting.
- The fifteen (15) minute time limit and/or three (3) minute maximum per speaker may be extended upon a majority vote of the Board for a specific meeting. Such a vote applies only to that meeting.
- Members of the public should not discuss individual personnel issues or confidential patron matters, and the speakers’ concerns or comments should be limited to library business. Comments on the performance of specific library employees must be addressed to the Executive Director separate from the Board meeting. When needed, comments about an employee will be given in closed Executive Session.
- All public comment shall be addressed to the Board as a whole and no comments shall be addressed to individual members of the Board, Library staff or other members of the public.
- Abusive, profane, frivolous, harassing and/or repetitive comments and/or personal attacks will not be permitted and shall promptly be ruled out of order by the President or other presiding officer.
- The Board vests in the Board President or presiding officer, the authority to terminate the remarks of speakers who fail to adhere to the above rules. Failure to adhere to the above rules or other Library policies may result in removal of the speaker from Library property.
The Board of Trustees appreciates all who participate in open and orderly meetings.
Adopted 4/20/11, reviewed 4/17/13, reviewed & revision approved 3/18/15, reviewed & revisions approved 3/15/17, revisions approved 2/20/19, reviewed 10/20/21, 2/21/24
