Where I Stand — Elaine Sanchez: Libraries and patrons

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

Editor's note: In August the Where I Stand column is turned over to guest writers. Today's columnist is Elaine Sanchez, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

There are many challenges to serving as a public library trustee, including oversight of finances, governance and personnel, as well as adopting policies that affect the selection of library materials for children and adults. In addition to being responsible for the library district's collection policy, trustees must also determine how patrons use library computers, meeting rooms, galleries and study areas.

Thoughtful approaches to a collection policy, which assures access to a wide range of cultural materials, compels the library district's trustees to address the fact that, in a multicultural society, not all materials will be suitable for everyone.

But trustees also must be prepared to guard against censorship when cultural clashes are at the root of attempts to suppress access to materials or remove items from the collection. They must also zealously protect patron privacy so that the right to unrestricted inquiry is never compromised by records that reveal what one reads, views or researches on a library computer.

The district's Collection Development Policy reflects what the courts have consistently recognized the public library as -- a First Amendment forum that is restricted by law from arbitrarily suppressing or censoring library materials that have met a library board's selection criteria.

The policy guides the staff and informs our community regarding selection standards. It also outlines procedures for determining whether materials should be removed from the district's collection, if challenged.

Our district libraries, however, offer much more than books. In addition to materials in many formats including videos, DVDs and CDs, many district branches display art exhibits in their galleries and offer film showings in large meeting rooms and theaters. Theaters in several branches provide venues for performing arts, nationally acclaimed author visits and local recitals.

The district's support of free access extends to our community meeting spaces that are available for organizations and groups throughout our richly diverse community. From AARP to scouting groups, from religious organizations to political clubs, our libraries provide public forums for sharing ideas and information.

We are proud that the district was recognized as the Library of the Year in 2003 by Library Journal and Gale Publishing for its many services, seven-day open hours, strong library materials' expenditures and, of course, its dedicated staff.

New technologies and related services have continued to change public libraries and affect how library boards develop policy. The Internet, for example, has dramatically increased the services we can offer. We can now provide access to thousands of magazines, several encyclopedias and a variety of electronic content, such as downloadable eBooks in all of our branches.

We also extend access to these materials to patrons through our Web site at www.lvccld.org when they can't visit a branch but have Internet access at work, home or school. But this technology requires thoughtful consideration from the Board of Trustees with regard to managing the variety of unregulated content accessible through the Internet.

The board's Internet and Wireless Use Policy was initially adopted in 2000 and revised earlier this year to address use of wireless Internet devices. In 2000 the board agreed with staff's recommendation to filter Internet PCs used in the branches' young people's areas and to require parental permission for children to use unfiltered PCs in the adult sections of the library.

The board took this action, in part, because library staff can't select Internet content in the same way as print and other materials. The board also felt that parents should be able to choose what is most suitable for their children by enabling them to approve their own children's use of unfiltered PCs.

There is a delicate balance that must never be taken for granted if our libraries are to be reserved for knowledge. The board must ensure that patron privacy is always protected, and that all viewpoints are represented in the collection, including materials that some board members and staff may find objectionable.

This openness extends to our continued commitment to considering public comment before we adopt or change policy, and providing our patrons with opportunities to comment on library materials and services. We may not always agree, but we are committed to an open dialogue about our materials and services as we strive to provide the best library services possible for our patrons.