| Meinders Community Library Board Policy | 104 | ||
| Policy: Public Comment/Complaint | Originally Adopted | Next Review | |
| Current Version Adopted | November 1, 2017 | March 2014 | May 2020 |
Purpose: To provide the public with a means to express their opinions, suggestions, or concerns in regards to the policies and execution of such policies to the Library Board.
Section 1: Community Comments
The Library Board, being a public board and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, will have time set aside at the beginning of each meeting for community comments. This time will be limited to five (5) minutes per speaker up to a total of fifteen (15) minutes per meeting. The following procedures will be implemented:
- The Board does not need to be notified in advance of the topics of these comments or concerns. However, individuals will be asked to sign in prior to the public comments period of the agenda. Individuals will be called upon to speak in the order they are listed.
- When a group wishes to speak collectively, one individual will be identified as the spokesperson. This Speaker will be the only person allowed to speak during the slated time.
- All comments will be addressed toward the Library Board Spokesperson (Board President) and the Library Board as a whole. The Board and the Speaker shall not engage in dialogue during the public comment period. However, the Spokesperson may direct questions to or elicit responses from other Board members or the Director.
- At the time all speakers have been heard, the Board President shall close the public comment period and resume with the agenda.
Section 2: Complaint Procedure
If a patron or community member has a complaint to register about a policy or staff member, these complaints should be submitted to the Director in writing. Every effort will be made to address the concerns quickly and appropriately.
If the complaint is about the Director, the complaint should be submitted in writing to the Board President so that the Board may schedule a time to talk about said complaint. Every effort will be made to address the concerns of the patron efficiently and effectively, though resolution of complaints may take some time. If the concern is deemed serious enough, the Board may call a special meeting.
Patrons will be notified in writing once a complaint has been discussed.