GILLETTE, Wyo. — Anyone who wishes to provide written commentary on the library board’s proposed changes to the collection development policy must submit it by May 30.
According to the policy document, the policy’s primary goal is to present the Campbell County Public Library System’s commitment to a collection that seeks to meet the needs of the public it serves. It guides library staff and informs the public how materials selection and maintenance decisions are made.
Campbell County funds the library system.
The board began line-by-line review of the policy document in January. Revisions include the elimination of references to the American Library Association and the addition of a Policy for Protecting Children from Harmful, Sexually Explicit Material in Areas Designated for Minors.
Written comment will be accepted at Campbell County Public Library, 2101 S. 4-J Road, Gillette, WY, 82718, during normal business hours, according to a notice of intent to adopt rules. Or, people can email it to Director Terri Lesly at terri.lesley@campbellcountywy.gov.
The Campbell County public library board will meet at 4 p.m. June 8 to discuss and consider formally adopting the changes, the notice said. The board will take public comment at the meeting before the vote.
“The Library Board seeks to provide standards for materials available to children and revise rules
for reconsideration of library materials,” the notice said.
The notice said there are no Wyoming statutory standards or requirements associated with the development of collections within Wyoming libraries and the agency’s proposed policy doesn’t involve seizing property; W.S. 9-5-304 doesn’t apply.
Here’s the board-approved proposal for changes to the policy:
Proposed revisions for the collection development policy include some from a pro bono Florida-based legal organization, Liberty Counsel, that the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled a hate group.
Board Chair Sage Bear said the organization said that it or one of its affiliates will help defend the county if the policy is challenged in court.
