May 01, 2023 Library Advisory Board

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:08]

BLOCK. THE MEETING WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS AFTERNOON.

OH, I PUSH RECORD HERE.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, BOARD MEMBERS, A COPY OF THE MINUTES IS IN YOUR PACKET.

[1- Minutes: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Approving the Minutes from the Regular Meeting Held on February 6, 2023.]

FOR APPROVAL AS PRESENTED.

ALL RIGHT. THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. THERE IS A MOTION AND THERE IS A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM OUR PREVIOUS MEETING AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION.

WE WILL NOW VOTE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED LIKE SIGN.

BRING NO OBJECTIONS. THE MOTION CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE AGENDA.

[Public Comment]

AND AS YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

AND IF YOU RESIDE WITHIN THE ABILENE CITY LIMITS.

WITH THAT, WE OPEN THE FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION OF THE MEETING.

MY NAME IS ERIC BINGS AND I AM A RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY THAT WAS PASSED BY OUR CITY COUNCIL HAD A SECTION IN THERE THAT CONCERNS ME GREATLY.

THAT SECTION SAYS A PERSON SUBMITTING A RECONSIDERATION REQUEST MUST RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ABILENE, TEXAS AND HOLD A VALID ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY ADULT RESIDENT CARD IN GOOD STANDING.

THIS IS A BLATANT, OVERT.

EFFORT BY THE LIBRARY BOARD TO SILENCE A PARTICULAR SUBSET OF LIBRARY USERS.

THIS IS WRONG.

NONRESIDENT USERS PAY A YEARLY FEE AND SHOULD BE TREATED EXACTLY AS A CITY RESIDENT.

WHY SELECTIVELY SILENCE THEIR VOICE? DO THEY NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO OBJECT TO MATERIAL THAT THEY FIND OBJECTIONABLE? THIS IS DANGEROUS.

WHO ARE THE LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION? SILENCE. NEXT, WHO WILL THEY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST? NEXT. THE PRECEDENT HAS BEEN SET.

I'D ASK THE BOARD, THIS LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD TO GO BACK AND AMEND.

WHAT YOU SAID BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

BECAUSE THIS IS WRONG.

IF THIS WAS ANOTHER GROUP, THEY'D BE SCREAMING.

IF I PAY A FEE, I EXPECT SERVICE.

YOU'VE DENIED THAT TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EVERY MUCH AS RIGHT.

TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD AND TO VOICE A CONCERN AND TO SEND IN A RECONSIDERATION REQUEST.

REQUEST? IS ANYONE ELSE? PLEASE RECONSIDER IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS ANGELA NICOLINI STARR.

I RESIDE IN ABILENE, TEXAS.

I HAVE SOME PREPARED REMARKS SO THAT I WILL KEEP MY REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES.

I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THAN SOME OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.

THE BOOKS I'D LIKE TO READ MAY NOT BE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM MIGHT CHOOSE.

AS A CHILD, I LIVED ALL OVER THE WORLD GERMANY, ITALY, ENGLAND, SAUDI ARABIA.

MY FIRST HUSBAND WAS HALF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HALF KOREAN.

HE DIED EIGHT MONTHS AFTER WE WERE MARRIED.

BUT IF HE HAD LIVED, OUR CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN MIXED RACE AND I WOULD HAVE WANTED THEM TO BE ABLE TO READ BOOKS THAT REFLECT THEIR OWN HERITAGE.

I READ WEEKLY TO THE BABIES IN THE DAY NURSERIES, TWO OF THEM FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, AND I USED THE LIBRARIES IN ABILENE TO MAKE SURE THE BOOKS I READ TO THEM WERE AGE APPROPRIATE AND HAD PICTURES OF KIDS WHO WERE LIKE THEM AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC AND MIXED RACE.

[00:05:06]

AND I BELIEVE THIS MOSTLY BECAUSE I HAVE A FRIEND WHO ALMOST COMMITTED SUICIDE AT THE AGE OF 30 WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS GAY.

IT WENT AGAINST EVERYTHING HE BELIEVED IN.

BUT AFTER ACCEPTING HIMSELF THE WAY HE IS, HE IS HAPPIER AND FREER THAN HE'S EVER BEEN.

AND I'D LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE GRAPPLING WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN BOOKS WITHOUT SHAME OR RIDICULE OR HUMILIATION SO THAT THEY DO NOT FACE THE SAME AGONY THAT MY FRIEND FELT.

I KNOW SEVERAL CHILDREN, SEVERAL CHILDREN IN ABILENE WHO HAVE TWO MOMMIES, AND I'D LIKE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR OWN LIVES REFLECTED IN THE BOOKS THAT THEY READ.

I BELIEVE THAT READING BOOKS ABOUT DIFFICULT TOPICS WHEN AGE APPROPRIATE, HELPS PEOPLE TO DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING.

I MYSELF WAS MOLESTED BY A WHITE, MIDDLE CLASS HETEROSEXUAL MALE WHO NEVER MRS CHURCH WHEN I WAS SIX YEARS OLD.

THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ARTICULATE ANY OF THAT UNTIL I HIT MY 20S.

I NEVER SAW THAT IN A BOOK THAT I HAD READ.

THE BOOKS THAT I WANT TO READ ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE BOOKS OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM MAY WANT TO READ.

AND FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHAT AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY READS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY, THAT'S A THEOCRACY.

AND HAVING LIVED IN SAUDI ARABIA, I KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

LASTLY, I BELIEVE THAT LIBRARIANS ARE NOT TRYING TO INDOCTRINATE OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN.

THEY HELP PEOPLE'S KIDS FIND BOOKS THAT THEIR PARENTS WANT THEM TO READ BASED ON THEIR PARENTS BELIEFS AND THEIR KIDS MATURITY LEVELS.

AND THEY ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS, NOT BABYSITTERS.

LET'S TREAT THEM THAT WAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

HI, I'M TAMMY FOGLE.

I'M A RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT I SHARED AT THE RECONSIDERATION REVIEW MEETING I HAD.

IT'S INTERESTING. NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE TRY TO FOCUS ON ONE ISSUE, AND THAT IS THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND NOT FROM IDEOLOGY, BUT FROM VIOLENCE. MANY OF THE BOOKS, IF NOT ALL THE BOOKS THAT WE HAVE REQUESTED TO BE REMOVED OR MOVED TO THE ADULT SECTION SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS WITH VIOLENCE TO CHILDREN AND OR WOMEN. AND SO IT'S INTERESTING WHEN PEOPLE CONTINUALLY SAY THAT THERE'S A LIFESTYLE WE'RE AGAINST.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

AND I'VE OFFERED MY PAWN BAG FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK IN TO VALIDATE THAT THAT TO BE TRUE.

WE ARE ASKING TO SET A STANDARD AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT UNFORTUNATELY WE STILL DON'T HAVE AFTER ALMOST A YEAR NOW.

WE STILL DON'T HAVE A STANDARD OF WHAT WE WILL ALLOW IN OUR LIBRARIES.

AND I THINK THAT PROVES TO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE HAVE REALLY NOT ADDRESSED.

THE MAIN ISSUE IS WHAT IS OKAY FOR TO BE IN OUR LIBRARIES? AS A PARENT AND AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THE 500 BOOKS THAT ARE ON THE LIST OF BOOKS COMING INTO THE LIBRARY.

EVEN IN MY DUE DILIGENCE, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT, AND NOR DOES ANY OTHER CITIZEN.

AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE SET A STANDARD AND WE FAILED TO DO THAT.

CHILD VIOLENCE IS NEVER OKAY.

DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL USE IS NOT OKAY FOR OUR MINORS TO READ AND AGE APPROPRIATE IS THE ISSUE.

I'VE ASKED COUNCILORS AND THEY AGREE THAT THERE'S NO REASON FOR A CHILD TO READ ABOUT VIOLENCE TO A CHILD AS A METHOD OF HELPFUL COUNSELING OR HELPFUL PROCESSES, BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, CHILDREN DON'T DO THAT, DON'T NEED TO DO THAT ALONE.

AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SET STANDARDS.

WE HAVE NONE. AND THEREFORE, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO REALLY ATTACK THIS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

I ALSO THINK IT'S INTERESTING, I WASN'T EVEN LOOKING FOR IT, BUT I CAME ACROSS A QUOTE FROM ANTHONY WILLIAMS IN 2018 WHO SAID, WE NEED TO WORK ACROSS LINES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT TAYLOR COUNTY RESIDENTS BENEFIT, NOT JUST ABILENE CITIZENS.

AND SO I FIND IT INTERESTING, UNDER HIS TENURE, WE HAVE NOW ISOLATED AND SILENCE TAYLOR COUNTY RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT LIVE IN THE CITY, RESIDENTS, THE CITY LIMITS.

AND SO IT'S DISGUSTING TO ME THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON AND THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE BEING VOCAL ABOUT PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN NOT FROM AN IDEOLOGY, BUT FROM VIOLENCE, BEING READING ABOUT VIOLENCE IN A BOOK, THEY HAVE NOW BEEN SILENCED AND HAVE NO PLACE TO SPEAK.

THE LAST THING I WAS GOING TO SAY, I CAN'T REMEMBER.

OH, MOST IMPORTANTLY, I REALLY AM FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

IF I DIDN'T CARE, I WOULDN'T COME TO THIS MEETING.

I WOULDN'T COME AND TELL YOU MY THOUGHTS AND MY FEELINGS.

I'M NOT AGAINST YOU. I HAVE COMMENDED YOU MULTIPLE TIMES THAT WHAT YOU DO IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE NO ONE HAS VOLUNTEERED QUITE THEY'VE REALLY VOLUNTEERED AS MUCH AS YOU GUYS HAVE.

SO IF YOU HEAR ANY ANGER IN MY VOICE, IT'S NOT THAT'S NOT MY INTENT.

IT'S JUST TO BE DILIGENT ABOUT FIGHTING FOR OUR KIDS.

[00:10:01]

THANK YOU. HI, MY NAME IS KAYLA HEWITT AND I LIVE HERE IN ABILENE.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK.

AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M IN FAVOR OF THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND THE WAY IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

I HAVE TWO KIDS WHO ARE SIX AND NINE, AND WE USE THE LIBRARIES A LOT.

AND I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH WITH ANY OF THE MATERIAL THAT THEY'VE THEY'VE BROUGHT OR THAT WE'VE READ TOGETHER.

AND I DEFINITELY AGREE THAT PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE IS IMPORTANT.

BUT I DON'T THINK PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM READING ABOUT VIOLENCE IS THE SAME AS PROTECTING THEM FROM VIOLENCE.

AND IN FACT, IT CAN BE QUITE GOOD FOR KIDS TO READ ABOUT SITUATIONS THAT THEY MIGHT ENCOUNTER.

LIKE A PREVIOUS SPEAKER WAS SAYING THAT READING ABOUT RAPE AND CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT HELPED HER PUT WORDS TO AN EXPERIENCE THAT SHE HAD HAD.

AND SO THOSE ARE CERTAINLY THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE THAT STICKS IN MY I DON'T WANT MY SIX AND NINE YEAR OLD TO READ YET, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE DO READ TOGETHER THAT ARE HARD, INCLUDING BIBLE STORIES, FRANKLY, THAT I LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TALK WITH THEM ABOUT AND ABOUT WHAT OUR VALUES ARE AS A FAMILY AND HOW THEY MIGHT ADVOCATE AGAINST VIOLENCE IN THE WORLD, WHAT STEPS THEY MIGHT TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND STEPS THEY MIGHT TAKE TO PROTECT OTHER CHILDREN.

SO I THINK HAVING THAT READING EXPERIENCE CAN BE REALLY VALUABLE.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT MATURITY INCREASES AS YOU AGE AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT WHEN THEY'RE 16 AND 17, I THINK WILL BE MORE APPROPRIATE THAN RIGHT NOW.

BUT I ALSO THINK THAT EACH FAMILY HAS HAS DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT THOUGHTS ABOUT WHEN THAT SHOULD HAPPEN.

AND SO I THINK IT'S GOOD TO LEAVE THAT TO THE PARENTS.

I ALSO AGREE THAT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO REVIEW ALL OF THE BOOKS THAT THE LIBRARY IS THINKING ABOUT ACQUIRING.

SO I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS WHO DO REVIEW THOSE BOOKS.

SO IT KIND OF TAKES SOME OF THE BURDEN OFF OF PARENTS, ALTHOUGH CERTAINLY I STILL LOOK AT THE BOOKS THAT MY MY OWN CHILDREN BRING HOME.

ALSO ABOUT THE LIVING IN OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT, TOO.

IT'S INTERESTING IF PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS DO PAY A FEE, THEN I MIGHT ALSO AGREE THAT THAT MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUBMIT RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS.

SO I'M SURE THAT YOU ALL HAVE YOU ALL HAD REASONING BEHIND INCLUDING THAT AS PART OF THE POLICY.

BUT I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I THINK THERE MIGHT BE AN ARGUMENT THERE THAT PERHAPS THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS OUTSIDE OF ABILENE AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS PENNY BIDDY AND I LIVE IN ABILENE.

I JUST HAVE THREE POINTS I WANT TO BRING TO YOU ALL TO CONSIDER TODAY AS YOU GO INTO YOUR DELIBERATIONS.

FIRST, AS HAS BEEN POINTED OUT, SOME OF THE BOOKS OBJECTED TO IN RECENT MONTHS ARE ONLY OFFENSIVE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE AUTHOR IS TRYING TO DO.

AS LONG AS HUMAN BEINGS CONTINUE TO SUFFER AND COMMIT ATROCITIES, STORYTELLING THAT SHINES A LIGHT ON THE WORST THINGS HUMANS CAN DO TO EACH OTHER IS NOT OBSCENITY.

IT IS A WITNESS TO THE PAIN OF THE VICTIM.

AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR INCREASING HUMAN EMPATHY FOR ONE ANOTHER.

AND IT'S ALSO A POWERFUL WARNING AGAINST WHAT THE WORLD CAN ALL TOO EASILY BECOME.

AND THESE STORIES ARE NECESSARY NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL THEY ARE.

THE SECOND THING I'D LIKE YOU TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT I AM PERSONALLY WELL AWARE THAT THE LIBRARY CONTAINS MATERIALS I THINK ARE WITHOUT ANY REDEEMING MERIT.

AND THAT'S AS IT SHOULD BE.

PLEASE LEAVE THEM THERE.

I RECOGNIZE THAT NO ONE CITIZEN OR GROUP OF CITIZENS HAS THE RIGHT TO DEMAND THAT ALL LIBRARY CONTENT MEET THEIR PERSONAL CRITERIA FOR WORTHINESS.

WE ALL HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS.

WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS.

AND IF I DISAGREE WITH YOUR DECISION, THAT IS THE PRICE WE PAY FOR LIVING IN A FREE SOCIETY.

WE COEXIST WITH IDEAS THAT OFFEND US.

THIRD, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT REMOVING BOOKS FROM CIRCULATION IN THE LIBRARY INFRINGES ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS OF PERSONAL CHOICE, EVEN IF THOSE BOOKS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AT PLACES LIKE AMAZON AND THE LIKE.

THE LIBRARY SERVES MANY PATRONS WHO LACK DISPOSABLE INCOME TO SPEND ON BOOKS, AND REMOVING BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY WOULD THEREFORE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT CITIZENS IN LOWER INCOME BRACKETS, ESSENTIALLY ALLOWING PEOPLE WITH PLENTY OF MONEY TO CONTINUE TO EXERCISE PERSONAL AUTONOMY OVER READING MATERIALS WHILE TAKING THAT RIGHT AWAY FROM THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING ECONOMICALLY.

I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THESE THINGS INTO ACCOUNT DURING YOUR DELIBERATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE CHANCE TO SPEAK AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR WORK ON BEHALF OF THE LIBRARY.

THANK YOU.

[00:15:10]

GO AHEAD. OKAY.

MY NAME IS KELLY ELLIOTT.

I LIVE IN ABILENE.

MY MY KIDS AND I MY KIDS ARE TEN AND SIX.

WE SPEND A LOT OF AFTERNOONS AT THE LIBRARY.

WE WE LIKE THE AVAILABILITY OF A WIDE VARIETY OF MATERIALS.

AND I RELATE TO THE CONCERN ABOUT NOT HAVING TIME TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING.

I DON'T THINK I FEEL THAT AS SO MUCH OF A BURDEN, THOUGH, BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO DO THAT ALL AT ONCE.

RIGHT. PARENTS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, RIGHT.

EVERY LIBRARY VISIT WE REVIEW WHAT WHAT OUR CHILDREN ARE READING.

WE READ TOGETHER AND WE HAVE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS.

AND I SHARE SEVERAL OF THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED TODAY THAT SOMETIMES MATERIAL THAT IS HARDER IS MATERIAL THAT NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES BECAUSE WE NEED TO ENGAGE OUR CHILDREN IN CONVERSATIONS AROUND SOME OF THESE CHALLENGING THINGS AS THEY REACH MATURITY LEVELS WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE.

AND SO I THINK THE POLICY AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS IS REASONABLE.

I THINK IT STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN GIVING SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO CHALLENGE MATERIALS AS NEEDED WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD AND REASONABLE REVIEW.

BUT, YOU KNOW, NOT REALLY BANNING BOOKS.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS THAT.

AND SO LEAVING THAT TO PARENTS, LEAVING THAT TO FAMILIES IS THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO GO, IN MY OPINION.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK.

I APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS ALONZO HICKS.

I AM A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED.

AS FAR AS RECONSIDERATION OF BOOKS, I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF THAT.

HOWEVER, SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST IT, I HAVE NOTICED, ARE ONLY SINGLING OUT ONE PARTICULAR AREA.

AND I'M SORRY, BUT THE PEOPLE YOU WERE TARGETING.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, OUR CITIZENS OF ABILENE, TAYLOR COUNTY.

THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE US.

THEY PAY THEIR TAXES, THEY WORK.

THEY RAISE THEIR FAMILIES TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN.

AND I'M SORRY.

PLEASE DIRECT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR.

I APOLOGIZE. I APOLOGIZE.

I APOLOGIZE. BUT THE FACT REMAINS.

LET ONLY ONE AREA OF LITERATURE IS BEING REQUESTED.

AS MY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE SUGGESTED.

THERE ARE BOOKS I FIND OFFENSIVE IN THE LIBRARY, BUT I DON'T WANT THEM REMOVED.

I COULD NAME NAMES, BUT I WON'T.

THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME KNOW WHO I AGREE WITH AND WHO I DON'T.

BUT THE FACT REMAINS, THE LIBRARY IS A PUBLIC RESOURCE FOR ALL, NOT JUST FOR A SELECT GROUP.

OR ANY ONE.

SECT OR RELIGIOUS FAITH OR WHATEVER YOU MAY WANT TO CALL IT.

SO. PLEASE TAKE THAT INTO YOUR CONSIDERATIONS AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

HELLO, I'M LINDA GOOLSBY AND I'M A RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE KIND OF POINT, WHICH IS THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THE THROES OF VIOLENCE IN THEIR HOMES AND IN CONFUSION, THEY CAN FIND IN BOOKS AN IMAGE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOLVED IT AND DO NOT FEEL ALONE.

SO BY PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM THE WRITTEN EXPERIENCE, THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD.

YOU'RE ALSO CONDEMNING SOME CHILDREN TO THE IDEA THAT I AM ALL ALONE AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WHO HAS NOT YET HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO? GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MY NAME IS ERICA BATTEN AND I AM A RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

[00:20:06]

THE ISSUE THAT I THINK IS OF GREAT CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I WANT TO TAKE MY KIDS, I HAVE SIX KIDS. AND WHEN I DECIDE I WANT TO GO TO, SAY, THE MOVIES WITH THEM, I CAN LOOK AND I CAN SEE WHAT A MOVIE IS RATED, IF IT HAS FOUL LANGUAGE.

IF IT HAS.

INAPPROPRIATE THINGS, WHATEVER.

I CAN LOOK AT THAT AND I CAN DETERMINE WE CAN WE CAN OVERLOOK THAT OR WE CAN CHOOSE THIS ONE AND NOT THAT ONE, BUT WHEN YOU ARE JUST IN A LIBRARY.

IN OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THERE'S NO WARNING.

THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW.

HEY, MY KID'S NOT READY FOR THIS BOOK.

OR JUST LIKE MY KIDS NOT READY FOR A SEX SCENE IN A MOVIE, EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT TALK ABOUT SEX AND THEY UNDERSTAND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT WHAT IT IS, BUT IT'S DIFFERENT WATCHING IT.

AND SAME THING WITH THESE BOOKS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY BOOKS WE PURCHASE OR HAVE ON OUR SHELVES.

IT. WE NEED SOME KIND OF WAY TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE SO THAT THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO MATERIAL THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THEIR AGE LEVEL.

AND THAT DOESN'T IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S THE SEXUALIZATION.

WHAT WHAT THAT IS.

WE JUST CHILDREN ARE NOT WARNED AND PREPARED AND PARENTS.

EVEN THOUGH, YES, THEY ARE WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN AND ARE WITH THEM AND MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT CHILD CAN PICK UP AND LOOK AT BEFORE IT'S BEEN DONE.

SO I JUST THINK THAT'S REALLY.

IMPORTANT FOR US. AND I ALSO THINK OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MAYBE FOSTER KIDS AND THEY HAVE PEOPLE IN THEIR HOME ALL THE TIME. SOME OF THESE BOOKS HAVE IMAGES IN THEM, PORNOGRAPHIC IN NATURE OF CHILDREN.

AND IT CAN.

THEIR CHILDREN COULD BE REMOVED FROM THEIR HOUSES IF THE CPS WORKERS SAW THESE HOUSES.

I JUST THINK I MEAN, THESE BOOKS, I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE REALLY CAREFUL AND.

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND FIND A WAY TO KEEP THOSE BOOKS.

THE BEST WE CAN TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN THE MOST VULNERABLE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

HI, I'M PAM PERAZA AND I HAVE BEEN AN ABILENE RESIDENT FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR JOBS, FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO PROVIDE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY WITH A WINDOW TO THE WORLD AND TO FACILITATE THE PRACTICAL EDUCATION OF OUR SOCIETY AT LARGE.

IN MANY OF THESE DISCUSSIONS, THERE'S BEEN A MISUSE OF THE WORD PORNOGRAPHY, WHICH IS MATERIAL PRODUCED WITH THE INTENTION OF SEXUAL GRATIFICATION. I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE PORNOGRAPHIC PIECE OF MATERIAL IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

SEXUALLY EXPLICIT, YES.

BUT PORNOGRAPHIC? NO. A LOT OF US ARE TIRED OF THIS MISCHARACTERIZATION.

A LOT OF THESE BOOKS HAVE A POINT TO THEM, EVEN IF THEY HAVE MATERIALS THAT YOU CAN SELECT AND MAGNIFY AND SAY, THIS IS WRONG. ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE REAL POINT OF THE MATERIAL? 1 IN 5 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORTS HAVING SERIOUS THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE.

1 IN 5.

1 IN 10 HAS MADE AN ATTEMPT.

AS MANY AS 1 IN 5 KIDS UNDER 17 HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.

WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE BECAUSE IT'S USUALLY BY A TRUSTED FAMILY MEMBER OR SOMEONE ELSE CLOSE TO THE FAMILY IN THEIR SCHOOL OR THEIR CHURCH.

AND THE KIDS DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH SEXUAL IDENTITY PROBLEMS, LIFE IS NOT JUST TOUGH.

IT'S DANGEROUS.

KIDS WHO ARE NOT PART OF A TRADITIONAL FAMILY ARE OFTEN HARASSED AND BULLIED BY KIDS WHO ARE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY CAN AND SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BE EXPOSED TO DIFFERING OPINIONS SO THEY CAN LEARN TO BE CRITICAL THINKERS, SO THEY CAN WEIGH THE VALUES OF CONCEPTS AND IDEAS THAT THEY'RE BEING TAUGHT AND GAIN INSIGHT AS WELL AS DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THEIR CHARACTER SO THEY DON'T FEEL ALONE IN THEIR PERSONAL STRUGGLES

[00:25:10]

PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN CERTAINLY SHOULD IN THE WAYS THAT THEY SEE FIT.

BUT I DON'T NEED THEM PROTECTING MINE.

THAT'S MY JOB.

PLEASE DON'T LET A VOCAL THEOCRATIC CROWD DETERMINE WHAT IS OR SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL OF US.

THANK YOU. THERE ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WHO HAS NOT YET HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO? HELLO, MY NAME IS ZACK SNYDER AND I'M A RESIDENT OF ABILENE, TEXAS.

THE LAST TIME I WAS STANDING AT THIS PODIUM WAS AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING TALKING ABOUT THE REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION POLICY THAT YOU HAD RECOMMENDED IN THE PAST BY THE CITY COUNCIL. AND SINCE THEN, AFTER LISTENING TO THE OPPOSITION OVER HERE, I HAVE BEEN CONVINCED.

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW THE THE SCALES HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM MY EYES.

AND SO I ACTUALLY AM LETTING YOU KNOW THAT I INTEND TO CHALLENGE A BOOK, A BOOK THAT HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CLEAR AGENDA.

THIS BOOK HAS OBJECTIONABLE DEPICTIONS OF MURDER, RAPE, INCEST AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

AND THIS BOOK IS BEING PUSHED BY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY ALTERS THE WAY THAT THEY THINK TO WHAT'S IN THIS BOOK.

I'VE EVEN FOUND THIS BOOK IN A HOTEL ROOM, AND I'VE FOUND SINCE THEN THAT THERE IS A MOVEMENT TO PLACE THIS BOOK IN HOTEL ROOMS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I WAS HORRIFIED TO DIG MORE DEEPLY INTO THE BOOK AND FIND THAT THIS BOOK INCLUDED SCENES OF SLAVERY, TORTURE, MISOGYNY.

IT HOLDS UP GENOCIDE AND CHILD SACRIFICE AS EXAMPLES OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING, AND IT ENDORSES THE RITUAL GENITAL MUTILATION OF MALE INFANTS.

OKAY. BY NOW, I'M SURE YOU'VE FIGURED OUT THAT WHAT BOOK I'M TALKING ABOUT.

AND TO BE CLEAR, MY MIND IS NOT ACTUALLY CHANGED.

AND I WILL NOT BE CHALLENGING THE BIBLE.

I'M A CHRISTIAN AND THE BIBLE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO THE PRACTICE OF MY FAITH.

AND THE WORDS OF THE POET ERIC CLAPTON.

IT'S IN THE WAY THAT YOU USE IT.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE WITH MY TONGUE IN CHEEK EXAMPLE.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLACE ALL THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY THE OPPOSITION BACK ON THE LIBRARY SHELVES WHERE THEY BELONG.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WHO HAS NOT YET HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO? SEEING NO ONE RISE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE AGENDA.

WE WILL CONTINUE NEXT WITH AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO, THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT.

[2- Library Director's Report a. NCCIL Collection]

THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO GIVE A REPORT ON A NEW COLLECTION THAT WE HAVE AT THE LIBRARY.

IT IS CALLED THE NICKLE COLLECTION.

FOR OVER 25 YEARS, THE NICKEL HAS BROUGHT ABILENE ORIGINAL ART FROM SOME OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE.

TO MARK THIS MILESTONE, ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS PARTNERED WITH THE NICKEL TO CREATE A SPECIAL COLLECTION OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE REFLECTING THE ILLUSTRATORS FEATURED BY THE NICKEL OVER THE PAST EXCUSE ME.

OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, ALL THREE OF OUR LOCATIONS WILL HAVE A SPECIAL CAPSULE COLLECTION FEATURING A COPY OF EACH OF THESE TITLES.

I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION IN CASE YOU'RE AT ANY OF THE LOCATIONS YOU CAN GO AND GO BY AND GRAB A NICKEL BOOK AT ANY TIME.

IT'S A FUN COLLABORATION ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NICKEL.

FANTASTIC. THANK YOU.

WE NOW MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, REVIEW ON ORDER CATALOG COMMENTS AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR ON PENDING BOOK ORDERS.

[3- Review on-order catalog comments and make a recommendation to the Library Director on pending book orders (discussion and possible action).]

SINCE THE LIBRARY BOARD HAS RECEIVED NO COMMENTS TO CONSIDER.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PENDING BOOK ORDERS? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION. THERE IS A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THERE IS A MOTION AND THERE IS A SECOND.

IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, WE WILL MOVE TO A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF RECOMMENDING TO THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR TO ACT ON THE PENDING BOOK ORDERS, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED LIKE SIGN.

[00:30:06]

THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION WILL NOW GO TO THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR WHO WILL OVERSEE COMPLETION OF THE BOOK ORDERS.

THIS WILL BE A STANDARD AGENDA ITEM AT FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS.

WE NOW MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE REVIEW COMMITTEE AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY ADMINISTRATION ON RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

[4. Receive a report from the review committee and make a recommendation to City Administration on reconsideration of library materials requests received by the board from October 1, 2022 through May 1, 2023 (discussion and possible action).]

BOARD MEMBERS. YOUR PACKET INCLUDES THE REVIEW COMMITTEE'S REPORT AND WE WILL NOW RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM DENISE MOORE, WHO LED THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMITTEE PROVIDING THIS RECOMMENDATION. THINK THE RECORD.

SO. ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD RECONSIDERATION REQUEST REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION MAY 1ST, 2023.

THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVED 14 RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS BETWEEN OCTOBER 1ST, 2022 AND MAY 1ST, 2023.

ANY RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS RECEIVED ON OR AFTER MAY 1ST, 2023 WILL BE PROCESSED AND A RECOMMENDATION PRESENTED AT THE NEXT QUARTERLY LIBRARY MEETING.

AS A REMINDER, PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY BOOK SUBJECT TO AN OPEN RECONSIDERATION REQUEST IS PULLED FROM THE SHELVES OF THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY PENDING FINAL ACTION BY THE ABILENE CITY MANAGER.

THESE 14 RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS WERE SUBMITTED BY THREE INDIVIDUALS.

SIX RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS.

DUPLICATED REQUESTS CONTAINED IN THE NOVEMBER 7TH, 2022, REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND A SUBSEQUENT CITY MANAGER DECISION IN FEBRUARY 2023.

ONE RECONSIDERATION REQUEST WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE PETITIONER.

THEREFORE, THE RECONSIDERATION REQUEST REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMEND RECOMMENDATION TODAY ADDRESSES SEVEN TITLES.

PREAMBLE. THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY STRIVES TO MEET THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF ALL ITS RESIDENTS.

IT IS THE DUTY OF THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

THIS RECONSIDERATION REQUEST REVIEW COMMITTEE.

THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD AND THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY THE STATED GOALS APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL.

MATERIAL THAT MAY MEET ONE OR MORE RESIDENTS NEEDS MAY BE CONTRARY TO THE SENSIBILITIES OF OTHER RESIDENTS, SUCH AS THE NATURE OF ALL COMMUNITIES.

THE LIBRARY DOES NOT AND CANNOT PLACE THE NEEDS OF ONE INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS OVER ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.

THE LIBRARY STRIVES TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO MEET ALL NEEDS.

THE LIBRARY SUPPORTS THE RIGHT OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO ACCESS INFORMATION, NO MATTER IF IT MAY BE CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL, UNORTHODOX OR UNACCEPTABLE TO OTHERS.

ABILENE IS HOME TO A DIVERSE CITIZENRY, REFLECTING A BROAD RANGE OF PERSPECTIVES, IDEAS AND NEEDS.

THE CURRENT COLLECTION REFLECTS THE DIGNITY, VIEWPOINTS, NEEDS AND INTERESTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OVERALL DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE CITY OF ABILENE.

NOT JUST A PERCEIVED MAJORITY.

RECITATION OF FACTS.

THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, COMPOSED OF JOE SPECK, JUDITH PHANEUF AND DENISE MOORE, CONDUCTED TWO MEETINGS WITH TWO INDIVIDUAL PETITIONERS.

THESE MEETINGS WERE HELD AT THE MAIN LIBRARY ON THE FOLLOWING DATES AND TIMES.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH, 2023, AT 9 A.M.

AND THURSDAY, APRIL 13TH, 2023 AT 3 P.M..

JULIE HAMMER, DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES, WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE.

ATTENDANCE AT EACH OF THESE MEETINGS.

THE IMPORT OF SUBMITTING A RECONSIDERATION REQUEST CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

ASKING A PUBLIC LIBRARY DEDICATED DEDICATED TO SERVING ALL ITS RESIDENTS TO RECONSIDER A BOOK IS A MONUMENTAL REQUEST.

IN ESSENCE, A PETITIONER IS PURPORTING TO KNOW AND OR BELIEVE HIS OR HER RIGHTS AND OR BELIEFS CARRY MORE WEIGHT THAN ANOTHER CITIZEN'S RIGHTS AND BELIEFS.

SO RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS MUST WEIGH HEAVY ON EACH PETITIONER AS EACH REQUEST WEIGHS HEAVY ON THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD, AND THE CITY MANAGER.

THE MEMBERS OF THE REVIEW, THE MEMBERS OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ENDEAVOR TO CONSIDER EACH TITLE IN ITS ENTIRETY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY LAST APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 9TH, 2023.

THE ABERDEEN PUBLIC LIBRARY OPEN QUOTE, PROVIDES MATERIALS, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO HELP COMMUNITY RESIDENTS OBTAIN INFORMATION WHICH MEETS THEIR PERSONAL, EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS.

CLOSE QUOTE. THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE ABERDEEN PUBLIC LIBRARY WEBSITE.

RECOMMENDATION, WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING YOUNG ADULT BOOKS BE RECLASSIFIED INTO THE CORRESPONDING ADULT SECTION.

AN EIGHT BOOK SERIES CALLED THRONE OF GLASS BY SARAH J.

MOSS, INCLUDING TWO TITLES SPECIFICALLY SUBJECT TO RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS.

TOWER OF DAWN AND KINGDOM OF ASH AND THE BOOK.

AND THEY LIVED.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING JUVENILE BOOK BE RECLASSIFIED INTO THE CORRESPONDING YOUNG ADULT SECTION.

MELISSA FORMERLY TITLED GEORGE.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING YOUNG ADULT BOOKS REMAIN IN THEIR CURRENT SHELVING LOCATION.

SPEAK AND THE POETICS.

THE FOLLOWING BOOK IS EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT.

IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NO PHYSICAL BOOK FOR THIS TITLE HOUSED IN THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THE ABSENCE OF AN ACTUAL PHYSICAL BOOK EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATES ANY CHANCE FOR A CHILD IN THE LIBRARY TO INADVERTENTLY STUMBLE ACROSS IT.

THE JUVENILE RESTRICTED ACCESS CARD DOES NOT ALLOW ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC MATERIALS.

[00:35:05]

CONSIDERING THE ABSENCE OF PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THIS TITLE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE JUVENILE RESTRICTED ACCESS CARD DEFINED BELOW.

THE BLACK FLAMINGO.

FOR CLARITY PURPOSES AND PROCESSING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY HOLDINGS OF THE 14 RECONSIDERATION REQUEST TITLES IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT ONE. WE WILL NOT READ EXHIBIT ONE, BUT WE DO HAVE A RECAP.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ACTIONS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN JUNE 1ST, 2022 AND TODAY.

JUVENILE RESTRICTED ACCESS CARD.

THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED A LIBRARY CARD AT THE ELECTION OF A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO ALL MINOR CHILDREN, RESTRICTING TITLES AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUTS BY MINOR. TO DATE, NO PARENT OR GUARDIAN HAS AVAILED THEMSELVES OF THIS OPTION.

YOUNG ADULT PLUS CLASSIFICATION.

THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY DEVELOPED AN ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS CALLED YOUNG ADULT PLUS.

THIS ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION IS FOR MATERIALS AT THE 15 TO 18 YEAR OLD READING LEVEL.

ONLINE PREORDER CATALOG ALL JUVENILE AND YOUNG ADULT TITLES UNDER CONSIDERATION TO BE ORDERED BY THE ALBION PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE POSTED ONLINE QUARTERLY.

ADULT RESIDENTS WITH A VALID LIBRARY CARD IN GOOD STANDING MAY REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THESE TITLES PRIOR TO THE LIBRARY SUBMITTING AN ORDER.

TITLE RECAP.

BELOW IS THE BREAKDOWN OF ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TAKEN ON THE 33 INDIVIDUAL TITLES SUBMITTED VIA 46 RECONSIDERATION REQUEST RECEIVED ON OR AFTER JUNE 1ST, 2022, INCLUDING THE 14 RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS ADDRESSED HEREIN.

TEN OF THE 46 RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS WERE FOR DUPLICATE TITLES.

ONE REQUEST WAS WITHDRAWN.

TWO REQUESTS WERE FOR TITLES NOT OWNED BY THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

SO FINAL ACTIONS ON TITLES FOR REQUESTS RECEIVED JUNE 20TH, 22 TO SEPTEMBER 2022.

THE FINAL ACTION, MOVE TO MAINE AND REMAIN IN THE ADULT COLLECTION.

NUMBER OF TITLES ONE.

NO ACTION BECAUSE NO PHYSICAL COPIES OWNED.

SIX. NO ACTION.

REMAIN IN THE DELTA COLLECTION.

NINE. NO ACTION.

REMAIN IN JUVENILE COLLECTION ONE.

NO ACTION. REMAIN IN YOUNG ADULT COLLECTION ONE.

RECLASSIFY TO ADULT COLLECTION.

SEVEN. REMOVE TITLE ONE.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TITLES FOR REQUESTS RECEIVED OCTOBER 20TH, 22 TO MAY 2023.

RECOMMENDATION NO ACTION.

NO PHYSICAL COPIES OWNED.

NUMBER OF TITLES ONE.

NO ACTION. REMAIN IN YOUNG ADULT COLLECTION TO RECLASSIFY FROM JUVENILE TO YOUNG ADULT COLLECTION.

ONE RECLASSIFY FROM YOUNG ADULT TO ADULT COLLECTION.

THREE. THANK YOU, DENISE.

SURE. HAVING RECEIVED THE REPORT, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE RECONSIDERATION OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS REQUESTS RECEIVED BY THE BOARD FROM THE TIME PERIOD OCTOBER 1ST, 2022 THROUGH MAY 1ST, 2023.

I. SO MOVE. THERE IS A MOTION AS THIS REPORT COMES FROM A COMMITTEE.

A SECOND IS NOT REQUIRED.

IS THERE DISCUSSION AMONG THE BOARD MEMBERS ABOUT THE REPORT THAT WE JUST RECEIVED? IT IS INTERESTING THAT WE STILL GET REQUESTS FOR ELECTRONIC BOOKS THAT ARE NOT HERE IN PHYSICAL COPY.

NON-ACCESSIBLE TO TO THE JUVENILE.

AND THAT NO ONE SUPPLIED FOR THE JUVENILE CARD.

NO PARENT. WE WERE SURPRISED, OR AT LEAST I WAS.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION AMONGST THE BOARD MEMBERS.

TO REMOVE THE QUESTION.

WE WILL NOW CALL FOR THE VOTE.

AND SO THOSE IN FAVOR OF RECEIVING THE REPORT AS RECEIVED AS PRESENTED.

FROM THE REVIEW COMMITTEE AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY ADMINISTRATION ON RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS REQUESTS RECEIVED BY THE BOARD FROM THE TIME PERIOD OCTOBER 1ST, 2022 THROUGH MAY 1ST, 2023.

IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED LIKE SIGN.

THERE BEING NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION WILL NOW GO TO THE CITY MANAGER WHO WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON ALL RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS.

THE PETITIONERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE FINAL DECISIONS.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.