JACKSON, Wyo. — At October’s regular Teton County Library Board meeting, Library Director Kip Roberson presented the board with a new Library Use Policy, designed by staff to replace the current Library Behavior Policy that has been in place since 2012.
The proposed policy is open for public comment through Saturday, Dec. 10, before the board assesses these comments and votes on adopting the policy at its Thursday, Dec. 15 meeting.
“The Library’s current behavior policy consists of two guidelines: to respect others and to respect library property,” said Robertson. “This policy is essentially unenforceable and doesn’t outline any concrete behaviors that are or aren’t acceptable in or around the library. There are many ways of interpreting what is or isn’t respectful.”
With the goal of providing staff with comprehensive guidelines to manage the Library environment the Library Management Team with input from Deputy County Attorney Abigail Moore, has drafted a Library Use Policy and Rules. This proposed policy was developed following the American Library Association’s behavior policy development guidelines, through the review of behavior policies from public libraries across Wyoming and the country, and with input from Library staff.
Proposed policy changes can be found at tclib.org/proposedpolicy and a paper version is posted at the Jackson Main Library and Alta Branch Library.
Any changes or additions to library policy require a public comment period ahead of approval by the Library Board and then implementation by staff. Feedback, comments, ideas and concerns can be submitted via email to board@tclib.org or mailed to Teton County Library Board of Directors at P.O. Box 1629, Jackson, WY, 83001.
