Public Comment Policy

  1. POLICY 
    1. Dayton Metro Library and its Board of Trustees recognize that feedback is vital and necessary in ensuring that the organization is responsive to patron concerns. The Board is committed to providing patrons with the opportunity to be heard, while also recognizing the need to conduct their meetings in a manner that is civil, productive, orderly and efficient.
  2. REGULATIONS: RULES AND PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT  
    1. Comments and input from the public shall be confined to the Public Comment section of each Board meeting. In order to ensure efficient and productive meetings, interruptions from the public shall not be tolerated.
    2. Members of the general public who wish to comment shall register prior to the meeting and acknowledge their intention to comply with these rules and procedures.
    3. Speakers will be called in the order in which they register and asked to step forward to address the Board and have their comments recorded for the public record.
    4. Unless approved by the Library’s Executive Director no fewer than seven (7) days in advance, comments shall be limited in duration to three (3) minutes. This time limit may be waived by the Board President.
    5. Speakers shall limit their comments to matters pertaining to Library business. Disorderly conduct by speakers or members of the public may result in a reduction in speaking time or removal from the meeting.
    6. All comments shall be made to the Board as a whole rather than an individual Board or Library staff member and shall be presented with civility and courtesy. Any questions or requests for additional information directed to the Board will be addressed in a reasonable time after the meeting by a Library staff member.
    7. Meeting attendees will refrain from applause or vocal expressions of approval or disapproval of any comment.
    8. Persons who violate any of these rules may be ordered to finish their comments immediately and/or leave the meeting.
    9. In the interest of time or order, the Board President may terminate the public comment session of any meeting and add the remaining speakers to the next meeting’s agenda. The Board President shall rule on any procedural matter connected with any speaker and the ruling will be final.

Effective: March 19, 2025

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