Public Comment Policy

Graves-Hume Public Library District
Public Participation at Board of Trustees Meetings
Rules for Public Comments

Graves-Hume Public Library encourages public comment and input of interested individuals pursuant to the guidelines outlined in this policy. Therefore, at each regular or special meeting, the agenda will include a “Opportunity for Visitors to Speak” section.

The meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Graves-Hume Public Library District are open to members of the public. Members of the public have a right to speak at all meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Graves-Hume Public Library District. At each regular and special open meeting, the members of the public may comment on matters germane to District operations, subject to reasonable constraints.

1. Members of the public may address the Board only at the appropriate times as indicated on the agenda and when recognized by the Board President.
2. Comments by members of the public are limited to three minutes. Speakers may not cede time to another speaker.
3. 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.
4. Individuals are expected to identify themselves by full name.
5. Public comments must pertain to an item on the agenda or to an issue that is relevant to the Board’s work. If at any time the presiding officer feels the speaker is not following the library policy, the presiding officer is authorized to direct the speaker to sit down or leave the meeting.
6. Recording at a meeting should be done in such a manner as to not interfere with the business of the board.

Policy reviewed every three years by the Library Board of Trustees. Last reviewed and updated: 5/2023