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Approve the Board of Supervisors’ response to the FY2023/2024 Civil Grand Jury Report of May 1, 2024, entitled - “Book Banning in Solano County?”
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the Board of Supervisors’ response to the FY2023/2024 Civil Grand Jury Report of May 1, 2024, entitled - “Book Banning in Solano County?”
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On May 1, 2024, the Solano County Civil Grand Jury issued a report entitled “Book Banning in Solano County?” The report asserts that Solano County residents have demonstrated an interest in the topic, however, they are limited as to how they access information, as those who do not read printed or online news are largely unaware of the book banning issue. The objective of the report is to make the relevant information more available to the public, including posting to electronic media platforms - where many residents gain access to their daily news.
The Civil Grand Jury report indicates that starting in July 2023, the issue of book banning, including certain specific topics, started to make national headlines. Two months later in September, Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 1078 (AB 1078), which bans rejecting public school library materials based on content, and instead focuses on the contributions of people from different cultures, racial backgrounds, sexual orientation, and gender identities. The new law affects public school libraries, therefore, the Civil Grand Jury decided to clarify the effects of this new law in reference to both the printed and electronic reading materials in public school libraries, as well as the Solan County Library System.
The Civil Grand Jury researched this report by interviewing librarians from the public school system and librarians at public libraries within the County. Civil Grand Jury members learned that the public at large, mainly parents of school children, had concerns about book banning, and many people don’t realize there is a procedure to request the banning of a book. Additionally, they found that most people were unaware of what the process is, how it is implemented, and how to get involved - should they choose.
The report highlights the fact that most schools and public libraries have policies and procedures in place to determine whether any requests for reconsideration and/or removal of a book is warranted, however, these policies and procedures were generally unknown to the public. In an attempt to elevate the public awareness of these policies and procedures, the Civil Grand Jury has made several recommendations on ways to publicize them.
The Civil Grand Jury report has four (4) findings and four (4) corresponding recommendations. The report identified the Solano County School Board, Solano County Public School Library Directors, Solano County Director of Library Services, and the Solano County Board of Supervisors as responding agencies. The Board of Supervisors’ proposed response is set forth in Attachment A - Response to the Grand Jury Report of May 1, 2024: Book Banning in Solano County? Copies of Grand Jury reports are available upon request from the Clerk of the Board or can be viewed on the Civil Grand Jury section of the Solano County Superior Court website.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of preparing this report is nominal and is included in the County Administrator’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to disagree with the recommended responses and direct staff to prepare a different or more elaborate response to the Civil Grand Jury.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There is no other agency involvement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION