BOS meeting July 31 resolution in support is adopted in support of the library
During the July 31, 2023, Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Meeting at the Botetourt County Administration Building at Greenfield, Botetourt County leaders unanimously adopted a resolution in support of the protection of citizens’ first amendment and parental rights in Botetourt County Libraries. The resolution stated that the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors actively supports and defends citizens’ First Amendment rights including:
-The right to read and access information freely and to form their own opinions.
-Defends parental rights to choose content that is suitable for their own families and children, but not to determine what is appropriate for other families and their children.
-Affirms the Botetourt County Library’s existing policies and practices to protect minors by requiring minors under the age of 13 to be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, and by providing for collection transparency and parental/guardian access and control in minors’ use of library materials, services, resources, and events.
-Supports the Botetourt County Library’s existing policies and procedures guiding the selection and deselection of materials reflecting the needs and interests of the community, without discrimination against or preference for specific individuals, groups, or viewpoints.
-Affirms the Botetourt County Library’s vital role in protecting citizens’ constitutional and parental rights and enabling all citizens to understand and navigate a complex world.
Also, during the meeting, Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Chair, Dr. Mac Scothorn, stated he would ask, on his own behalf, that the Botetourt County Library Board consider prohibiting minors (anyone under the age of 18) from visiting County libraries unaccompanied except for 16 and 17-year-olds who have been granted written permission by a parent to do so. Scothorn and Blue Ridge District Supervisor Billy Martin had noted in advertisements during the June Republican Primary that they would submit such a request to the Library Board. (Editors note this was not the passed resolution)
None of the other supervisors addressed Scothorn’s suggestion.
The Botetourt County Libraries’ current policy, which was endorsed by the Board of Supervisors in the resolution passed on July 31, is that children under the age of 13 must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult over the age of 18.
During the meeting, a number of people spoke out about books they deemed objectionable, mostly stories about LBGTQ+ and graphic novels aimed at readers over the age of 13. Others asked the supervisors to leave well enough alone, and let the librarians do their jobs and serve the entire population of Botetourt County.
The Bee is printing the two resolutions the Board of Supervisors have passed concerning the libraries in their entirety below.
This is the resolution passed on July 17, 2023:
Resolution in Support of Library Director Julie Phillips and Botetourt County Library Staff
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Public Libraries’ vision is to fuel a curious, creative, connected community; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Public Libraries’ mission is to connect everyone, everywhere to learn, grow and share; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Public Libraries have four core values; to be insatiably curious; to anticipate and adapt to the needs of the community; to treat everyone with respect and kindness; to empower those around us; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Public Libraries provide all community members with access to resources, services, and programs meeting their informational, educational, and recreational needs; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Public Libraries ensure a safe, neutral means and environment for the free exploration of a broad range of ideas and provide encouragement and opportunities for all community members; Patrons regularly say that the Botetourt County Library System is a group of friendly, welcoming, professional and knowledgeable staff; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Libraries foster an inclusive, innovative community by encouraging the free and civil exchange of ideas and information through personal connection and relationships; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Libraries have been led since June 2019, by Library Director Julie Phillips; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Phillips brought an indomitable optimism, passion for learning, and a commitment to public service that has resulted in innovations, partnerships, and staff empowerment; and WHEREAS, Botetourt Library staff, under Ms. Phillips’ leadership, have improved access to resources and programs by
• Eliminating fines,
• Opening meeting rooms to non-profits and community groups free of charge,
• Increasing online resources, including: HelpNow – free, live tutoring kindergarten through college; VetNow – live consultation and resources for military veterans; NicheAcademy – online tutorials including digital literacy; and Just for Kids streaming video.
• Developing new programs 1,000 Things Before Kindergarten; Summer Learning Challenge in partnership with Botetourt County Public Schools, and The #BOCOGrateful Campaign which grew to become a Countywide initiative.
• Implementing a new, easier-to-use, resource-rich Library website
• Opening a new Library materials pick-up and drop-off site at the Daleville Family YMCA
• Making Library facilities more accessible for persons with handicaps and disabilities
• Providing laptop computers for patron use while visiting library branches
• Providing curbside service
• Offering kits and backpacks for student educational adventures; and
WHEREAS, the library staff has seen enhancements in the last few years including a combined libraries/recreation position at the Eagle Rock Branch, the addition of a Blue Ridge Branch Manager for better service to the community and staff support, and the start of staff training totaling 3,853 hours since March 2020; and
WHEREAS, under Ms. Phillips’ leadership, libraries have continued and increased community partnerships with various organizations including the YMCA, Virginia Department of Health, Botetourt County Social Services, Botetourt County Parks and Recreation, Botetourt County Economic Development, Local Office on Aging, Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center, Senior Navigator, Botetourt County Public Schools, Kiwanis Club, and more; the library partner network has increased exponentially and Friends groups are also growing and being revitalized; and
WHEREAS, in recent months, Ms. Phillips and Botetourt County Library staff have come under personal attack by members of our community, both in person, in local media, and online; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors has the utmost confidence in Ms. Phillips and her staff to lead Botetourt County Libraries and the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will not allow Ms. Phillips or her staff to be persecuted for doing the job that they are tasked to do, and that job is to serve all citizens of Botetourt County; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Library team has tangible skills and organizational memory and know how to serve a diverse community; they are always willing to help, whether it be by finding a specific book for a patron, helping a child learn to read, or hosting a community program; our library staff shows up for the community.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors give our support of confidence to Botetourt County Library Director Julie Phillips, and we have the utmost respect for her and our library staff and appreciate the job they do each and every day to support the citizens, visitors, and businesses of Botetourt County.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED this 17th day of July 2023.
This is the resolution passed on July 31, 2023.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PROTECTION OF CITIZENS’ FIRST AMENDMENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS IN BOTETOURT COUNTY LIBRARIES
During its regular meeting on July 31, 2023, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors took the following action:
WHEREAS, a public library provides a broad variety of materials, subjects, and viewpoints that enable citizens of all demographics to better understand and navigate a complex world; and WHEREAS, the freedom to read and access information is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, the public library is a uniquely American institution established to support and protect the free flow of information and ideas vital to a strong, functioning democratic republic; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Library operates under collection development policies that include procedures and guidelines for the selection and deselection of material, considering the diverse needs and expectations of citizens in the Botetourt County community; and
WHEREAS, these established policies and procedures provide clear means for individuals to request reconsideration of library materials, with processes to ensure that the best interests of the entire community are considered when evaluating library content; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County library staff includes people with advanced degrees, all of whom receive extensive professional training, making them uniquely qualified to develop collections based not on librarians’ personal preferences or beliefs, but rather designed to meet the broad and varied interests and needs of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Library staff take active measures to ensure that no obscene materials, as defined by Section 18.2-372 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and the case Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973), are introduced into the Botetourt County Library collection;
WHEREAS, the library purchases only from reputable vendors that are legally restricted from selling and distributing materials determined by state and federal law to be obscene; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Library does not impose value judgments about materials, and therefore does not segregate, rate, label, or otherwise indicate approval or disapproval of contents, or inhibit access to materials; and
WHEREAS, materials requested from other library systems through the Roanoke Valley Libraries consortium or interlibrary loan are delivered privately to individual requestors; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Library’s youth collections contain content that has been identified by publishers and reviewers as intended and appropriate for those audiences, and that the Library provides these materials for a broad variety of families with differing needs and values; and
WHEREAS, all Botetourt County Library materials may be found in the Library’s online catalog, ensuring full collection transparency and the ability to preview titles for suitability; and
WHEREAS, Botetourt County Library staff and librarians are available to assist all patrons in locating materials that suit their personal preferences and values, without bias; and
WHEREAS, the Botetourt County Library requires that all children under age 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or older while in a library facility; and
WHEREAS, said adult is responsible for all the child’s activities in and access to library spaces, resources, services, and events; and
WHEREAS, no child under the age of 18 may obtain a library card without parental or legal guardian approval and parents or legal guardians have full access to and control of their child’s library account until they turn 18; and
WHEREAS, parents and legal guardians are guaranteed the right by the First Amendment to determine what their own children may read or access, but do not have the right to determine what all children may read or access, or dictate what other parents may allow their children to read or access.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors:
• Actively supports and defends citizens’ First Amendment rights, including the right to read and access information freely and to form their own opinions;
• Defends parental rights to choose content that is suitable for their own families and children, but not to determine what is appropriate for other families and their children;
• Affirms the Botetourt County Library’s existing practices to protect minors by providing for collection transparency and parental/guardian access and control in minors’ use of library materials, services, resources, and events;
• Supports the Botetourt County Library’s existing policies and procedures guiding the selection and deselection of materials reflecting the needs and interests of the community, without discrimination against or preference to specific individuals, groups, or viewpoints; and
• Affirms the Botetourt County Library’s vital role in protecting citizens’ constitutional and parental rights and enabling all citizens to understand and navigate a complex world.
Adopted this 31st day of July 2023.
– The Botetourt Bee
photo credit You Tube Zoom screenshot, Lindsay S speaks to board
