Required Library Policies and State Aid Grant Information

Our library’s collection development and review and reconsideration policies are combined; do we still need to draft three separate policies?

Yes, the statutory language is very clear, in order to be eligible to receive a state grant in accordance with the provisions of 11-24 subsections (b), (c) and (d), a principal public library must maintain and adhere to a collection development [collection management and collection reconsideration policies] and maintenance policy, a library display and program policy and a library material review and reconsideration policy that have been [approved] adopted by the board of trustees or other governing body of such library pursuant to section 345 of this act.  

Are draft library board meeting minutes acceptable for submission by December 1st?

Yes, we will accept draft meeting minutes for the December 1st deadline, once your board approves the meeting minutes approving policies, you will need to submit the approved meeting minutes.

Do we need to use exact language from the bill in our policies?

Yes, we recommend you use the exact statutory language from the bill.

Would a community news bulletin board count as a display?

No, displays are anything curated by library staff.

What if we decide to move a book to a different part of the library rather than remove it?

The law does not have any specific guidance on moving, just removing. As libraries go through these processes, CSL anticipates situations where CSL will need to consult with the Attorney General's Office for an opinion.

Can requests for reconsideration go through a committee of library staff that includes the director?

The minimum requirement is the library director; however, you certainly can use a collection development committee to consider requests for reconsideration, and you can note that in your policy.

What if our board makes edits to the policy after its approved by you?

If the library board decides to make changes to any CSL approved policy, you will be required to re-submit the policy to CSL for review. Changes to the statutory language requirements are prohibited.

How long will it take for you to approve our policies?

Timing will vary based on our DLD consultants' schedules and workload, but we anticipate a minimum 48 -hour turnaround.

Do we need to post the new policies on the website prior to approval of the Library Board meeting minutes approving the policies?

No, the library is not required to post the policies until such time that the library board has approved the board meeting minutes approving the policies.

My library is a "private" association library, do we have to publish the new policies on our website?

If your library is defined as a public library under Sec. 11-24a, (2) “Public library” means a library that serves its residents through its outlet or outlets without charging a borrower’s card fee and which receives its financial support in whole or in part from local tax funds. (3) “Principal public library” means the public library which has been so designated by the local municipal governing board. (4) “Local funds” means moneys received by a public library from any source, public or private, excluding state or federal grants, your library is not "private" and subject to the new statutory requirements:

(g) The board of trustees, or other governing body, of each public library shall make available the (1) collection development and maintenance policy, (2) library display and program policy, and (3) library material review and reconsideration policy adopted under this section on the board's or governing body's Internet web site, or, if no such Internet web site exists, inside the library or included as part of such library's policy manual.