New borough library advisory committee proposed, set for hearing in April

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough assembly introduced a proposed ordinance at its Tuesday, March 19 meeting, to create a new Citizens Advisory Committee to review challenged library materials.

Sponsored by assembly members Dimitri Fonov, Dee McKee and Ron Bernier, the ordinance will be up for a public hearing at the assembly’s next regular meeting in April.

That promises to be a lively meeting given the strong public interest over what’s felt to be age-inappropriate books and other materials in local public libraries.

The committee, if it is approved, will meet at least quarterly and possibly monthly and will likely ensure an enduring and intense debate over library policy but it would also follow tight procedures and reserve final decisions to borough officials.

Modeled on an existing library advisory committee in the Mat-Su school district, the new proposal follows on the heels of a previous borough library materials review committee that erupted in discord, leading to its termination by Borough Manager Mike Brown.

It’s not clear that a new review committee will see smooth sailing, however. Still, hopes are high that it might diffuse the angst over library books felt by a segment of residents in the borough.

“A citizens’ advisory committee will allow library staff to remain focused on providing services to their respective communities while incorporating citizens into the review process, providing a better understanding of the attitudes and opinions held in the community,” the draft ordinance says.

The committee will serve in an advisory capacity and not as a policy-making or decision-making body, it said. Borough Mayor DeVries will make appointments to the committee subject to confirmation by the assembly.

There will be seven members and two alternate members, with a chairperson and vice chairperson selected from within the group. Members will be appointed from as many assembly districts as possible, “but all members will be appointees for their expertise and knowledge of the borough and shall represent the entire borough,” the draft ordinance said.

Meetings will be open to the public but there will be no opportunity for public testimony. Written comments may be submitted to the committee but they must come two days in advance of a meeting, the draft ordinance said.

The committee will conduct a review of challenged library materials using a scoring card to be developed by the borough’s Community Development Director. If the ordinance is adopted Borough Manager Mike Brown will select three borough staff members to assist the committee.

Scoring cards and recommendations made by motions or resolutions of the committee will be delivered to the borough Library Services Manager at the close of meetings, but the Community Development Director will make the final decisions on challenged library materials, the draft ordinance says.