Library board adopts patron‑privacy policy, directs review to use inclusive language

The Benicia Library Board voted unanimously Sept. 9 to adopt a policy aimed at protecting the confidentiality of patron information and records and instructed staff to review library policies to use nonbinary or degendered pronouns where appropriate.

Trustees praised the draft as comprehensive but flagged minor edits. Trustee (name on the record) asked whether pronouns could be changed to nonbinary; in discussion a staff member said the board could approve the document as written and staff would make inclusive‑language edits without returning it for another vote. "If I'm able, I'm wondering if there's any way we could edit it in order to make the pronouns, nonbinary instead of his or her, maybe they," said Linda Ordoneo Dixon. The board then approved the policy as revised by a roll call vote and separately approved a motion directing staff to review all library board policies for inclusive language.

The board's roll call for the policy vote recorded all five trustees voting in favor. According to the board packet, the policy will be implemented by library staff and posted with other board policies; staff will follow up on any typographical edits identified during the meeting.

The policy adoption addresses statutory and local requirements about open meetings and privacy; the board discussed one typographical correction before the final vote. The board also discussed how employee‑interaction guidelines relate to city policy, and staff agreed to review city guidance where appropriate before finalizing language.