Letter to the Editor
Who would have ever thought protecting minors from obscene library material would be a contentious issue? My explicitly-stated campaign platform and highest goal in running for a Community Library Network (CLN) trustee position was, and remains, ensuring taxpayer-funded materials harmful to minors be prohibited. If parents wish to purchase perverted material for their children, they are free to do so, but not with taxpayer monies.
The current board is in the process of drafting and finalizing a revised Materials Selection Policy, and the bullying has begun. My interpretation of a letter sent to the board from voter-rejected board member, Regina McCrea, is essentially declaring lawfare. Do as I say, or I will unleash “organizations with both the means and the appetite to seek judicial review….”
Without commenting on all aspects of Ms. McCrea’s letter, I find it interesting that while many of CLN’s policies are expected to be reviewed at least every three years, several were well overdue before I took office. Where was Ms. McCrea’s urgency about those policies before she was ousted by voters in May?
By Idaho Statute, it is the board’s duty to establish policies, and we are in the process of doing just that. As drafts are completed, they will be submitted to the board’s legal counsel for review. I will continue to do the job I was elected by the people to do. Enough with the sour grapes and inferred threat from an election-loser.
– Tom Hanley, Post Falls, Idaho, CLN Trustee
