Library board begins review of internet-use policy; plans gender-neutral edits and legal review

The Davis County Library Board discussed proposed updates to its Internet-access policy at its May 8 meeting, focusing on language edits to make the document gender-neutral and clearer guidance for staff about responses to illegal, child-related material. Library staff said they will circulate proposed revisions in advance of a formal vote expected next month.

Library Director Josh Johnson told the board the online version is the current public document and that staff will send proposed changes well before the next meeting so members can review them. "I will have our legal team review it before we give it to you the next time as well," Johnson said.

Board members raised copy-editing questions (for example, whether to retain the Oxford comma and how to standardize capitalization and periods in lists) and broader drafting choices, including whether to replace gendered language such as "he or she" with singular "they," consistent with APA 7 guidance mentioned in the discussion.

On substantive policy enforcement, staff and board members discussed how the library handles illegal material involving children. Johnson said the library treats child-related illegal content differently from other kinds of illegal activity because it is handled differently under the law and often becomes a law-enforcement matter. He said the policy will not change in substance on that point but staff will add clarifying language so patrons and employees better understand the distinction.

Johnson said the board's next step will be to receive a draft showing the suggested wording updates and that the county legal team will review the proposed changes before the board is asked to adopt them. The director also noted there were no newly enacted state laws identified that would require immediate changes to the policy.