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Mitchell Public Library board adopts collection‑policy update to meet state law
Summary
The Mitchell Public Library Board voted to adopt changes to its collection development policy to incorporate a challenge procedure and language required by House Bill 1197; city legal reviewed the minimalist approach and the board directed staff to publish the updated policy by the statutory deadline.
The Mitchell Public Library Board voted to adopt revisions to its collection development policy that incorporate language required by state House Bill 1197 and spell out the library’s procedure for handling challenges to materials.
Library Director Kevin told the board the update adds the library’s "expressions of concern" procedure so the system can meet HB 1197 requirements. He said the policy affirms that the library evaluates materials against selection criteria and the three‑part obscenity standard articulated by the Supreme Court, and that a sustained challenge alleging material is “obscene for minors” could result in restricting an item to adult checkout only or removing it from the collection.
Kevin said City Legal (Justin) reviewed the draft and recommended a minimalist approach to meet statutory requirements. He described a prior social‑media complaint in 2022 that did not lead to a formal challenge: "If you feel that way we have a form, we have a procedure to follow and here's the link to the form," Kevin said, noting the complainant did not follow through. The policy text added the library’s process and makes clear the board serves as the final arbiter when a challenge is sustained.
The board approved the policy update by voice vote; the chair confirmed the library will publish the revised policy on its website before the January statutory deadline. Kevin said he will update formatting and post the policy once the board’s action is recorded.
Background: Kevin told the board that the policy language was reviewed at previous meetings and that the State Library circulated a survey to directors about HB 1197 compliance. The board’s action formalizes the process for patrons to file a challenge and clarifies how the library will respond if a challenge is sustained.
The board did not record a roll‑call vote with individual names on the transcript; the motion carried by voice vote. The library plans to post the revised policy to its website and move forward with the administrative steps Kevin described.
