Parents and residents demand immediate reopening of school libraries after policy-driven closures

Parents and residents urged the Oxford Area Board of School Directors on Sept. 16 to reopen school libraries immediately after summer preparations for a revised book policy left libraries closed or access restricted at multiple buildings.

Vicki Bolger, a Lower Oxford resident and mother of three Oxford students, told the board the closures were “unacceptable” and said the district had an entire summer to prepare for the policy rollout. “The district had an entire summer to prepare for this policy, yet the school year has begun with libraries effectively closed,” Bolger said. She said families were being told libraries would reopen in four weeks, a timeline she called unrealistic unless the district provides additional help.

Bolger said the workload of relabeling and reorganizing library materials had been placed solely on librarians and staff and asked board members and administrators to “roll up their sleeves and assist.” She also urged the board to adopt streaming for committee meetings so the public can better track decisions about policies that affect students.

David Trimble, speaking later in public comment, said he was being asked by parents in his East Nottingham neighborhood for clear explanations about the closures and the plan for implementation. “How can you pass a change to a policy in June and reasonably expect to have it fully implemented by the beginning of the school year?” Trimble said. He asked the board to provide written information he could share with families.

At several committee reports earlier in the meeting, board members and administrators acknowledged that books had been removed or restricted under the new policy and that staff were working to address constituent concerns. The policy committee report referenced policy “63” and correspondence from constituents about access to books.

The board did not vote to reopen libraries during the Sept. 16 meeting. Public commenters asked the board to set a firm completion date for the labeling and to provide temporary measures that keep libraries open while work continues. No district timetable beyond the four-week estimate mentioned by commenters was presented in the meeting.