TACOMA – At its April meeting Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will discuss intellectual freedom, borrowing agreements with other libraries, proposal for a covered patio at Steilacoom Pierce County Library, and other issues. The Board of Trustees will meet at the Library’s Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E., in Tacoma, on Wednesday, April 10, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Intellectual freedom: Candace Morgan, a recognized expert in library intellectual freedom, will give an overview of the role of libraries in intellectual freedom. Intellectual Freedom is based primarily on the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights and related court rulings. It is a core principle of libraries and directs selection of books and other materials and access to the Internet via library computers. Intellectual freedom is also based on the Fourth Amendment and related court decisions regarding an individual’s right to confidentiality in their use of library materials and services.
Borrowing agreements with other libraries: The Board of Trustees will review a reciprocal borrowing agreement policy, and it is expected to finalize and approve the policy. The policy outlines the Library System’s philosophy and purpose for borrowing agreements with other libraries that allow residents in Pierce County Library’s service area to check out books and other materials from libraries outside of Pierce County Library’s service area and vice versa. In the past 40 years Pierce County Library has established borrowing agreements with 11 other library systems. The policy states that borrowing agreements are good public policy with governments cooperating and collaborating for the benefit of the public good. Reciprocal borrowing exemplifies libraries without borders.
Steilacoom Library covered patio: Friends of Steilacoom Library have proposed to build a small, covered patio area outside of the Steilacoom Library. The area would be an extension of the library’s space where people could gather and hang out and connect online with Wi-Fi. The Friends would pay for the 12 feet by 28 feet covered patio. It is estimated to cost $9,000 to pave the area and purchase and install an awning. The Library System would provide seating on the patio.
The Library System has served people in Pierce County for 67 years. The Library’s service area spans 1,800 square miles and the Library serves 555,000 people.