PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETINGS  

Any person shall be permitted an opportunity to address the Library Board under the rules established by the Library  Board, in compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act [5 ILCS 120/2.06(g)]. During the meeting, the board will  listen, but will not respond to those who speak. If a response is needed it will come after the board has had time to  deliberate the issue, seek additional information, or take recommendations from the director. However, the board  may ask questions for clarification.

1. Address the Board at the time indicated on the agenda and when recognized by the Board President.  

2. Identify him or herself by giving a full name. Limit comments to 5 minutes. In unusual circumstances the person  may be allowed to speak longer at the President’s discretion.  An overall limit of 30 minutes of public comment shall be allowed at each board meeting.

3. Under the terms of the Open Meetings Act, the Library Board President may suspend comments that are  irrelevant, repetitious, or disruptive.

4. Public participation is not allowed during closed sessions.

5. Any member of the public who is disruptive at any time during the meeting may be removed.

6. The Board President has the authority to determine procedural matters regarding public participation not  otherwise defined in Board policy.  

It is important to note that a library board meeting is a meeting conducted in public, not a public meeting. In other  words, the public, and possibly media representatives, are there to watch the board work, not to participate in the  board meeting.

Adopted: August, 2012

Revised: April 14, 2016

Reviewed: March 12, 2026