Library board approves new display policy

DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District Board of Trustees met on November 18 and approved a new display policy, disallowed the distribution of naloxone to the public, and heard from Library Director Ellen Brigham about a working agreement with several area libraries to share borrowing privileges.

The Board approved revisions to the display policy, three to two, with Trustees Jay Ball and Sharon Mendel dissenting. The draft reads, "The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the materials on display are welcoming and appropriate for all." The new policy limits displays to designated areas and only those materials that reflect government holidays, scheduled library programs, or new arrivals. This was introduced to the board by Trustees Kevin Rust and Dale Walling who said it is modeled after policies in other libraries. Walling said he proposed the policy to protect children from being exposed to featured materials that are not suitable for them and avoid future conflicts with patrons over featuring such materials.

Brigham responded that she did not provide feedback as requested about the proposed policy because she was not in support of it, but preferred something that reflects more of the community needs and interests. She pointed out that the policy restricts display items based on pictures or profanity on the covers but that usually there are neither.

Brigham presented her Director's Report and of note was the library signed up through the Washington State Department of Health to disperse free naloxone to the public. The consensus of the Board was that because it is already available nearby at the Public Health office and elsewhere that they did not need to be a provider. For emergencies, it is already contained in the first aid kit.

Brigham also reported that an interlocal agreement is being drafted for reciprocal lending services between the Dayton Memorial Library and the Walla Walla Public Library, Walla Walla Rural Library District, Mid-Columbia Libraries, and Richland Public Library. The agreement will be presented to the Board at the December meeting to be in place for the new year.

At the beginning of the meeting, public comment was made by Paul Hendrickson asking for the Board to have more oversight of library operations and the director including purchasing materials, displays, closures, and staff attending conferences, as well as to trim back on the "bloated" library budget. Joann Patras added the request for oversight over hiring and firing of all staff. Another commenter later said in response to the new display policy, "We have to remember a picture is worth a thousand words."