The Idaho Statesman has posted an editorial supporting the library, library staff and intellectual freedom. It is so refreshing to read positive feedback! Thanks!
Many have asked to see the full content of the staff letter to the Board of Trustees. I've uploaded the document here.
Thanks again to a wonderful team who helped make it possible! And yes, 18 of the 30 staff members signed.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Another Board Meeting - Progress?
Yesterday afternoon the Nampa Public Library Board of Trustees had their monthly meeting. I was in attendance since my fellow employees and I were presenting a statement to the board about their decision last month to remove two books on sexuality from the open shelves and sequester them in our director's office.
The Idaho Statesman and The Idaho Press-Tribune had reporters present and reported on the staff statement and the meeting in today's papers. I believe the coverage was favorable to the cause of intellectual freedom.
The statement was signed by 18 of the 30 staff members at the library and was written and edited by a team of 8 staff who cover the gamut of library personnel--library pages to librarians. The statement was read to the board by our senior non-management librarian and copies of the statement were provided to the trustees and the press afterwards.
I fear that some members of the board refuse to even listen or contemplate their actions and the ramifications of their actions in removing the items from the open shelves. I fear that the board members who support intellectual freedom are being bullied and that it is just a matter of time before the board is just a puppet stage for the mayor of Nampa and his agenda. Libraries and library customers do not really seem to be what is important to some of the trustees--it's a shame that they have the burden of governing something in which they just don't believe.
The Idaho Statesman and The Idaho Press-Tribune had reporters present and reported on the staff statement and the meeting in today's papers. I believe the coverage was favorable to the cause of intellectual freedom.
The statement was signed by 18 of the 30 staff members at the library and was written and edited by a team of 8 staff who cover the gamut of library personnel--library pages to librarians. The statement was read to the board by our senior non-management librarian and copies of the statement were provided to the trustees and the press afterwards.
I fear that some members of the board refuse to even listen or contemplate their actions and the ramifications of their actions in removing the items from the open shelves. I fear that the board members who support intellectual freedom are being bullied and that it is just a matter of time before the board is just a puppet stage for the mayor of Nampa and his agenda. Libraries and library customers do not really seem to be what is important to some of the trustees--it's a shame that they have the burden of governing something in which they just don't believe.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Nampa Public Library Believes in Intellectual Freedom
Yesterday I was alerted to a blog post from a library school student in New York who is under the impression that the library and its staff willingly removed access to the Joy of Gay Sex and the New Joy of Sex.
I think it should be stated that the library on the whole believes in and supports intellectual freedom! Our collection Development policy (oddly enough, recently reviewed and revised by the board last fall) and other library policies support the rights of all to access materials in the library. Our in-services and new employee training emphasize intellectual freedom as a key component to working at the library. Intellectual freedom questions abound in the interview process.
In Idaho, library trustees are not an advisory committee but a ruling entity. They are appointed by the Mayor of the city in which the library exists. So, in many ways, they are not immune from the political positioning and agendas of the elected officers of the city despite the Idaho State Code (Title 33 Chapter 26) indicating that they should be free from partisan interests. It is tragic that some of our trustees do not believe in representing all of the public. I am very proud of our trustees who voted to support intellectual freedom at our library--Barry and Rosie! Perhaps trustees need to participate in the interview process our employees must undergo before they are accepted as trustees. Perhaps the law needs to be changed so that trustees are elected or that the board acts in an advisory capacity only.
I want to send a shout out to the bloggers who support us: and many others including some news agencies, the Idaho Library Association and the American Library Association.
I think it should be stated that the library on the whole believes in and supports intellectual freedom! Our collection Development policy (oddly enough, recently reviewed and revised by the board last fall) and other library policies support the rights of all to access materials in the library. Our in-services and new employee training emphasize intellectual freedom as a key component to working at the library. Intellectual freedom questions abound in the interview process.
In Idaho, library trustees are not an advisory committee but a ruling entity. They are appointed by the Mayor of the city in which the library exists. So, in many ways, they are not immune from the political positioning and agendas of the elected officers of the city despite the Idaho State Code (Title 33 Chapter 26) indicating that they should be free from partisan interests. It is tragic that some of our trustees do not believe in representing all of the public. I am very proud of our trustees who voted to support intellectual freedom at our library--Barry and Rosie! Perhaps trustees need to participate in the interview process our employees must undergo before they are accepted as trustees. Perhaps the law needs to be changed so that trustees are elected or that the board acts in an advisory capacity only.
I want to send a shout out to the bloggers who support us: and many others including some news agencies, the Idaho Library Association and the American Library Association.
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