There’s a quick blurb in a recent edition of the Marshall Democrat-News about the ongoing committee work on the materials selection policy. No new details to speak of, but again, it’s nice to see that the paper still has its eyes on the process.

Not many details emerged from the latest meeting of the committee developing a materials selection policy at the Marshall Public Library, but the coverage at the Democrat-News continues. Nice to see that community members are attending the meetings.

Marshall Public Library Director Amy Crump talks policy in her latest “Check It Out” column for the Democrat-News. In light of the recent shelving controversy, she talks about the library’s position on its younger visitors:

“The staff of the Marshall Public Library enjoys seeing children using our facility.”

… but…

“If you wouldn’t drop your child off at Walmart alone, please don’t drop your child off at the library alone.”

I’m pretty sure there are tons of parents who would drop their children off at Walmart alone, many of whom would then sue the store if something bad happened. But it’s always nice to see someone throw the concept of parental responsibility into a debate like this, even kind of obliquely.

Marshall Democrat-News reporter Zach Sims covers the first meeting of the committee tasked to develop a materials selection policy for the public library. The group’s first step was to gather existing materials selection policies from other library systems to give them a starting point for their own:

“‘There’s no reason for us to re-invent the wheel if we don’t have to,’ said Ann Aulger, vice-president of the library board.”

And perhaps I’m overly cynical, but this quote from committee member Connie Grisier triggers my Community Standards Early Warning System:

“Grisier said that she did not want to ‘compare our policies to different-sized communities.'”

But I could just be over-reacting.

It looks like the Marshall Public Library will be taking a transparent approach to its materials selection policy development, which will be developed in a series of public meetings. Hopefully the Democrat-News will continue to provide coverage of the process.

Chuck Mason, editor of the Marshall Democrat-News, is not happy:

“I have no qualms with Louise Mills of Marshall, who objected to the two books and filed the necessary paperwork to bring the matter to the attention of the board of trustees. Mills is a resident who has a complaint and she has the right to register it.

“What I object to is pulling the books off the shelves.

“The library board has essentially blinked in the harsh light of public discussion.”

Mason is concerned about the precedent the board has set, fearing it will become an open invitation to restrict access to any material that might be viewed as controversial.