Library board approves updated collection policy aligned with California Freedom to Read Act

The Santa Monica Public Library Board on Nov. 12 voted unanimously to adopt a revised Collection Development Policy and the library'wide Collection Development Plan, documents staff said were updated to align with the California Freedom to Read Act.

Library staff presented a roughly 30-page plan describing five goals for collections, including championing intellectual freedom, building inclusive collections, maintaining timely access, adapting to new formats and strengthening local-history digital collections. "The first goal is champion intellectual freedom with a freely accessible collection for all Santa Monicans," principal librarian Grego Venegas said, adding that staff have seen renewed pressure to ban or restrict materials in recent years.

Stephanie Arthur, Librarian 3 in collections, said the wording of the policy spells out the library's selection philosophy and values and that the California State Library has already reviewed and accepted the policy. "This was updated to be compliant with the California Freedom to Read Act, and the good news is that California State Library has already reviewed and accepted our policy," Arthur told the board.

The presentation summarized how staff use multiple inputs to guide acquisitions'including circulation data, the library's survey program, purchase suggestions from residents and interlibrary loan requests'and described a centralized selector model for maintaining collections across five locations. Staff also outlined collection categories (electronic resources, nonprint, periodicals and print) and detailed an annual weeding cadence.

Venegas noted an immediate operational challenge: the collapse of major distributor Baker & Taylor, which many libraries had relied on for ordering. "Baker and Taylor'it's gone'it's just like bankrupt," he said, explaining that the loss has forced staff to re-source materials and reassess ordering workflows.

The plan also lays out pilot projects for new formats aimed at drawing people into branches, including a proposed video game lending collection that staff said would serve adults as well as younger patrons. Staff discussed technology and literacy supports for emerging services, including exploration of AI-enabled kiosks or learning hubs while emphasizing the need for staff guidance about limitations and accuracy of AI outputs.

Budget details presented to the board show last year''s collection budget at about $902,811; staff said they temporarily reduced spending earlier in the year to balance staffing needs but expect the collection budget to grow back and to expand electronic resources when feasible.

Member Meister moved to approve the revised Collection Development Policy and the Collection Development Plan, seconded by Member Cody. Chairperson Newman called the roll; Newman, Meister, Cody and Spears voted yes and the motion passed 4-0.

Board members asked staff to return with data on circulation and community survey results to show who is using specific formats and collections. Staff said they plan to publish top-10 checked-out lists in January and to continue community mapping and outreach as they implement the plan.

The board'approved policy will be posted on the library's policies web page after final posting and acceptance steps, at which time staff said the policy will be officially in effect.