Public use of the Jackson County Public Library’s community room could be significantly restricted under a proposed policy presented to county commissioners last week.
The new policy states the room would be limited to library and county government uses only. The move is a part of the larger effort by Jackson County officials to establish new policies for the county’s two public libraries since its official exit from the Fontana Regional Library system that went into effect July 1.
“Policies that make people feel unwelcome don’t just discourage room reservations, they discourage community participation,” said community member Rachel Huffman during the public comment period at last week’s commissioners meeting. “If business is taken elsewhere because the library community room is not seen as something for everyone, the cost will be measured in far more than dollars.”
