PRAIRIE CREEK PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY

The Prairie Creek Public Library District Board of Trustees encourages public participation at its meetings.  All regular and special library board meetings are conducted in compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and are therefore open for public observation.

Visitors are always welcome to speak at Board meetings, however, they are also reminded that they may address their concerns/issues with the library director at any time.  Written comments may be left for the library director at the main circulation desk.

Each regular or special board meeting agenda includes time for public comments.  The following policy guidelines apply to those who wish to speak:

• All visitors are required to sign in prior to the call to order.
• If a visitor wishes to speak to the board of trustees during the public comment section of the agenda, he/she must complete the required form and present it to the board president prior to the start of the meeting.  Completing the forms will insure everyone who wishes to speak has the opportunity to do so.  The board president will recognize speakers in the order in which they sign in.
• All public comments shall be addressed to the Board as a whole.  No comments shall be addressed to individual members of the Board, library staff, or other members of the public.
• Public comments shall be made by individuals physically present.  Public comment by use of any telecommunications device will not be permitted except in the case of individuals with disabilities that prevent them from attending in person.  These individuals or those who require disability related accommodations are requested to contact the library director in advance to allow the library to try to arrange reasonable accommodations.
• Comments will be limited to a single 5 minute time period per individual, per meeting.  The secretary and/or recording secretary will monitor the allotted time.  The Board has the right and responsibility to maintain its agenda.
• Comments should be in good taste and remarks about specific individuals are not allowed.  At any time the presiding officer feels the speaker is not following the guidelines or other library policies, the presiding officer is authorized to direct the speaker to sit down or leave the meeting.
• Business presentations should be handled directly through the appropriate library staff rather than use of a request to speak at a public meeting.
• The board of trustees may or may not be able to respond at this meeting to all questions, requests for information, or requests for action.  The request will be noted and the board of trustees will respond after it has had an opportunity to consider and/or investigate the request.
• The meeting agenda will be given to the public present.  Other documents can be requested through the Freedom of Information Act after the meeting.  Request forms are available at the circulation desk or on the library’s webpage.  Open meeting minutes will be available on the website within one week from the date of their approval.

APPENDIX A

PRAIRIE CREEK PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY

(Request to Speak)

• Citizens are always welcome to speak to the Board, however, are also reminded that they may address their concerns directly at any time to the library director.  Written comments may be left at the circulation desk.
• Speaker’s comments should be in good taste and remarks about specific individuals are not allowed.
• Business presentations should be handled directly through the library director rather than use of a request to speak request.
• Persons who wish to speak to the library board are asked to complete this form.  Please note that the board of trustees may or may not be able to respond at this meeting to all questions, requests for information, or requests for action.
• Comments will be limited to five minutes.
• Thank you for caring about the quality of services provided by the Prairie Creek Public Library District.