The Churchill County Library Board of Trustees discussed whether the library should adopt Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) filtering tied to some grant requirements and asked staff to return with recommendations at the board's December meeting.

Library Director John told trustees the library is exploring several grant opportunities and wants staff time to assess any CIPA-related requirements before adopting filters or changing policy. "CIPA is a filter against, you know, obscene visual materials, you know, to protect children, and which we support," John said, explaining staff want to understand how filters would affect services and grant eligibility.

The director also reported on personnel and programming. He said the technical services librarian position drew 25 applicants at the time of the report and staff are conducting one-on-one meetings to refine needs. John described two grant avenues: an LSTA mini grant of $15,000 intended for furniture and shelving, and a competitive grant intended for makerspace equipment such as laser cutters. He said some grants carry specific requirements and staff would investigate alternatives that do not impose those conditions.

Trustees stressed the need for a careful, community-informed approach. The presiding member said grant decisions should be staff-led and supported by the board, adding that trustees would prefer staff present the costs and benefits before the board makes a decision. Several trustees noted the library already has policies that limit access to certain material on public computers and that any filter or policy change should be intentional and compatible with the library's mission of access.

John highlighted related outreach and programming: a switch to Ingram as the new book vendor following market changes, a Franken-toy puppet craft that drew 56 attendees, author talks, and a career fair at Churchill County High School where staff engaged roughly 76 students. He said Magdalena's conference attendance produced volunteer-management ideas and new program concepts aimed at seniors and digital literacy.

The board did not take formal action on CIPA. Trustees directed staff to research how CIPA compliance would affect existing and prospective grants, to involve community stakeholders as appropriate, and to bring findings to the board at its December meeting for further direction.