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Approve the Library's revised Materials Selection Policy to include required language from the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Library recommends that the Board approve the Library's revised Materials Selection Policy, which includes required language from the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825).
SUMMARY:
On September 29, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1825 (AB 1825), the California Freedom to Read Act. This bill requires every public library that directly receives any state funding to establish, adopt, and maintain a written and publicly accessible collection development policy by January 1, 2026. While the Solano County Library has an existing collection development policy, a revision has been drafted to incorporate the requirements of AB 1825.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund impact to approving the policy. However, if it is not approved, grant funding from the State could be negatively impacted as the policy includes language required by the State. The cost to prepare the agenda item is minimal and is absorbed by the department's FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
AB 1825 requires libraries to include specific language in their collection development policies in order to continue to be eligible for State funding.
This bill also requires public libraries to include language in their policies that encourages diverse points of view and enshrines the public library's autonomy in choosing materials for its collection. Under the bill, public libraries must have a process whereby citizens can challenge materials in the collection, which the Library had previously included in its existing collection development policy, the Materials Selection Policy. The revised Materials Selection Policy before the Board includes required language from the Freedom to Read ...
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