POLICY ON PERIOD FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION AT LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS

Board meetings are for the purpose of conducting library business and as required by the Open Meetings Law are open for observation by the public. They are not to be considered a public hearing concerning library affairs. Under the Open Meetings Law providing for public participation is not required, although the Board sets aside a period of up to 30 minutes for public expression on the agenda. In the interests of time and the effective conducting of library related business, individual public comments are limited to no more than three minutes each so that resident members of the public attending a board meeting will have an equal opportunity to speak. Individuals wishing to make public comments shall provide their name and address to the Board 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. For public safety purposes, no signs or placards mounted on sticks, posts, poles or similar structures shall be allowed in meeting rooms. Other signs, placards or banners shall not disrupt meetings or interfere with the view of others in attendance at the meeting. Persons with signs must remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting. Audience members will refrain from behavior which disrupts the public meeting. This will include making loud noises, clapping, shouting, booing, hissing, talking in a private conversation or engaging in any other activity in a manner that disturbs, disrupts or impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting. Board members are not required to respond to questions or statements made during the public expression portion of the meeting.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 3/20/2023