The Board of Trustees of the Library has, since its inception in 1880, sought to provide the best possible library service to the public. As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials selected are chosen for values of interest, information, and enlightenment of all the people in the community. Individuals with concerns about the materials should consult Board Policy 650—Request for Acquisitions or Removal of Collection Material by the Public.
It is the policy of the Library to hold meetings, which are open to the public at all times, and to comply fully with the Sunshine Law of Ohio (Ohio Revised Code 121.22).
The Library shall maintain and utilize the following methods whereby Library Administration shall establish the guidelines and administrative procedures for public participation at Board Meetings:
- Reasonable advance notification of Board meetings shall be sent to the media and posted on the Library’s website.
- It is within the Board’s purview to set the time, location, and manner of all meetings.
- No Board meetings shall be held unless the Board has given 24 hours advance notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting to the media and the public via the Library’s website. However, no such notice shall be required in the event of an emergency requiring immediate official action. The time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be relayed to the media and posted on the Library’s website as soon as it is determined that an emergency meeting is necessary.
- In addition to the methods of notification outlined above of this policy, any person may, upon written request and payment of a reasonable fee for postage, obtain reasonable advance notification of all meetings at which any specific type of public business is to be discussed. Such a request shall be made in writing to: Secretary, Library Board of Trustees, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.
- Provisions for advance notification may include but are not limited to, mailing the agenda of meetings to all subscribers on the mailing list.
- 5. An executive session of the Board can only be held after a majority of a quorum of the Board determines, by roll call vote, to hold such a session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of the matters for which it is allowed to hold such meetings under O.R.C. Section 121.22(G).
- 6. The public is welcome to attend meetings of the Board of Trustees, however, the Board is committed to conducting its meetings in a civil, orderly, efficient, and productive manner designed to allow the Board’s regular agenda to be completed in a reasonable timeframe while allowing fair and adequate opportunity for public input to be considered. Interruptions by the public are not permitted. Accordingly, public participation at Board and Board Committee meetings will be governed by the following principles:
Any persons wishing to address the Board are requested to contact the Board Secretary three (3) days in advance of the meeting to: Board Secretary, Library Board of Trustees, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.
They may also contact the Board Secretary via the Contact Us function on our website.
The following information is required in order to speak at a Board meeting or Board Committee meeting:
- Name, address, e-mail (if applicable), and phone number of the person requesting to speak.
- The subject on which they wish to speak.
- Persons wishing to address the Board or Board Committee must be physically present at the meeting and register their names and topic on the sign-in sheet, which will be provided at the meetings. Speakers must fill out the sign-in sheet before they are recognized.
- Any person who wishes to address the Board or Board Committee will be allocated up to three (3) minutes.
- Speakers will be called in the order in which they register and asked to step forward to address the Board or Board Committee and have their comments recorded for the public record.
- The total public comment time shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes, however, the Board President or presiding officer can choose to extend the comment period at their discretion.
- All comments shall be made to the Board—as a whole—rather than an individual Board or Library staff member and should be presented with civility and courtesy.
- Any questions or requests for additional information directed to the Board will be addressed in a reasonable time after the meeting by a Library staff member.
- Persons addressing the Board or Board Committee are expected to observe a level of civility and decorum appropriate for a public meeting and refrain from vulgar, profane, or harassing remarks. The Board Chair or other presiding officer may terminate any presentation deemed not to adhere to these standards.
Failure to adhere to these principles may result in removal from the meeting.
ADOPTED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES SEPTEMBER 20, 1989
AMENDED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES SEPTEMBER 11, 2003
AMENDED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES JUNE 8, 2023