Policy on Public Participation

The Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Public Library (the “Board”) welcomes public input in its deliberations and recognizes both the importance of public comment on issues before the Board and the ability of members of the community to express their views on matters of interest to the Library.

The Board is committed to conducting its meetings in a civil, orderly, efficient, and productive manner designed to allow the Board’s regular agenda to be completed in a reasonable period of time while allowing a fair and adequate opportunity for public input to be considered. Accordingly, public participation at regular monthly Board meetings will be governed by the following principles:

  • Public participation at Board meetings is limited to the public comment portions of the meetings as indicated in the agenda. At all other times during a Board meeting,the audience will not be recognized by the Board unless specifically requested to do so by the President of the Board or other presiding officer.
  • Persons wishing to address the Board must be physically present and register their names and topic on the sign-in sheet, which will be provided at the meetings. Speakers must fill out the sign-in sheet before they will be recognized.
  • Each person addressing the Board is limited to three (3) minutes. This time limit may be extended in the sole discretion of the President of the Board or other presiding officer.
  • Persons addressing the Board are expected to observe a level of civility and decorum appropriate for a public meeting, and refrain from vulgar, profane, or harassing remarks. The President of the Board or other presiding officer may terminate any presentation deemed not to adhere to these standards.

Failure to adhere to these principles may result in removal from the meeting.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees June 18, 2019

Effective July 1, 2019