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Imperial adopts revised library collection policy to meet state requirements; volunteers launch Imagination Library enrollment drive
Summary
The City Council adopted a revised Imperial Public Library collection development policy after staff said the California State Library confirmed compliance with the state requirement cited in the meeting; library staff and Soroptimist volunteers promoted a Dec. 11 literacy event and a plan to enroll children in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
The Imperial City Council unanimously adopted a revised Imperial Public Library collection development policy that staff said aligns the library with state requirements intended to protect intellectual freedom and a transparent reconsideration process for materials. Amber Haller, the library presenter, told the council the California State Library "has reviewed our revised policy and confirmed that it meets all requirements" and staff recommended adoption to preserve eligibility for state library funding.
Haller said the updates are required by state law and must be in place by Jan. 1, 2026, and that a redline packet and FAQ were provided to council. Following her presentation the council moved and approved the policy, with the clerk recording "Motion passes 4 0." The transcript cites the requirement as "Assembly Bill 18 25" and "AB 20 18 25" and also refers to the "California Freedom to Read Act"; the meeting record lists the referenced legislation as stated in the presentation (the transcript spelling/numbering is ambiguous and is recorded in the minutes as presented).
Separately, Maria Carrillo Martinez of Soroptimist International of El Centro invited council to a new literacy event, Read, Dream, and Be Merry, scheduled for Dec. 11, 2025, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at the Imperial Public Library. She described the club's role as lead nonprofit for launching Dolly Parton's Imagination Library locally and said the goal is to ultimately serve about 13,000 children in Imperial County by mailing free books to enrolled children from birth to age 5. Haller also recapped recent library programming (a popular Gilmore Girls event) and reported higher than average door counts for the special event.
Council did not withhold adoption or attach conditions; the action secures the library's formal receipt of compliance once posted and preserves eligibility for state funding, according to staff.
