To: Board of Supervisors
From: Libraries
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Approve the Rescission and Adoption to Replace the Humboldt County Library’s Collection Development Policy
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Rescind the Humboldt County Library’s Collection Development Policy adopted Feb. 16, 1988; and
2. Adopt the revised Humboldt County Library’s Collection Development Policy in compliance with the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825).
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825) requires every public library jurisdiction that directly receives any state funding to establish, adopt, and maintain a written and publicly accessible collection development policy for its libraries by Jan. 1, 2026. The bill requires the collection development policy to, among other things, (1) guide the selection and deselection of library materials, and (2) establish a process for community members to share their concerns regarding library materials and request materials be reconsidered for inclusion in the library’s collection.
In July 2025 the Humboldt County Library submitted its draft Collection Development Policy to the California State Library, Library Programs Consultant and received confirmation that the policy is in compliance with the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825). With your Board’s approval it will meet the criteria established in the California State Library’s “California Freedom to Read Act Process and Checklist.”
The Humboldt County Library’s Collection Development Policy includes the following:
1. The policy establishes a process for community members to share their concerns regarding library materials and to request that library materials be reconsidered for inclusion in the library’s collection.
2. The policy guides the selection and deselection of materials.
3. The collection meets the broad and diverse interests of the community and respects both the library’s autonomy and specific community needs.
4. The public library serves as a center for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas.
5. Library materials should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment
of all people and should present diverse points of views in the collection as a whole.
6. The right of the public to receive access to a range of social, political, aesthetic, moral, and other ideas and experiences is acknowledged.
Upon Board approval of the Humboldt County Library’s Collection Development Policy a copy of the policy will be posted to the county’s website and sent to the California State Library.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Library Fund (1500)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact as a result of this action other than staff time to update the Humboldt County Library’s Collection Development Policy and prepare the staff report.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
There is no staffing impact as a result of this action.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California State Library
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose to not rescind the existing policy and adopt the new policy. However, this is not recommended as the county would be out of compliance with California State Law and ineligible to receive any state funding for library services and programming.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT 1- ASSEMBLY BILL 1825
ATTACHMENT 2- HUMBOLDT COUNTY LIBRARY DRAFT COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
ATTACHMENT 3- CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TO READ ACT PROCESS AND CHECKLIST
ATTACHMENT 4- LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE FROM CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY PROGRAMS CONSULTANT CHRIS DURR
ATTACHMENT 5- 1988 LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: February 16, 1988
File No.: 11