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Duchesne County Library board objects to internal book-rating; will advise patrons on rating tools
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Summary
Board reviewed training materials on labeling and reading systems and signaled it will provide reader-advisory resources rather than adopt an internal content-rating system; the board also reaffirmed parental permission for minors checking out R-rated movies.
At the Roosevelt meeting Daniel Markley walked the board through training materials on labeling and reading systems and emphasized the library's role in helping patrons find third-party rating resources. Markley said libraries can "answer questions about rating systems" and point patrons to tools such as Common Sense Media, but "we aren't gonna go around and label everything," a point he framed as both a practical and values-based decision.
Several board members voiced concerns about creating a local rating regime. "Who's rating? Daniel's rating or one of my staff members' rating," Markley asked rhetorically, noting staff and community values vary. He and the board distinguished wayfinding (e.g., Dewey-based shelving or 'this is the dinosaur books') from content judgments.
The board also discussed movie-checkout rules and confirmed the library uses existing ratings and a parental-consent default: minors are not permitted to check out R-rated movies without explicit parental permission.
No policy vote was taken at the meeting; training materials were circulated and board members agreed to continue the discussion. Any formal policy change would return for a future vote.