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Council returns library art policy to library board after equity and inclusion concerns
Summary
Fergus Falls City Council voted to return a revised library art policy to the Library Advisory Board for further review after a council member objected to wording referencing "equity and inclusion."
The Fergus Falls City Council voted to send the proposed library art policy back to the Library Advisory Board for revision after discussion about language referencing “equity and inclusion.”
Council member Kwame (first name not specified) raised specific concerns about instances in the draft that had removed the words “equity and inclusion” in some spots but left them in one purpose statement. He said discussion of the words in the current political climate makes some residents uncomfortable and moved to return the policy to the library board for reconsideration. The motion was seconded; the motion carried on voice vote.
Library director (name not provided) and Matt Late, president of the Library Advisory Board, addressed the council to explain the policy’s intent. They said the language regarding equity and inclusion referred to equal access to public art and diversity of artists and formats, not personnel or classification of people. The library director offered to bring the policy back for additional review and to consider language clarifying that “equity and inclusion” refers to access to and diversity of art.
Ending: Council instructed the Library Advisory Board to re‑review the policy and consider clarifying language about access; the policy will return to council after the board’s revision.
