On Tuesday, May 22nd, The Friends of the Regina Public Library (FRPL) will once again ask the Library Board for more information about the plans for Central Library, and is challenging the Board’s assertion that it has held extensive public consultation.
“We are aware that there have been private discussions with organizations and with City Council members about Central Library, but these have not been shared with the public,” said Joanne Havelock, chair of the Friends of the Public Library. “What does the Library Board consider public consultations to be?”
FRPL is also recommending changes to the Library Board’s meeting process. In recent years, the public meeting has become brief, with the majority of the Board’s discussion held after the public meeting is adjourned. “Accepted practice is that human resources and contract negotiations are reviewed in camera, but other business topics could be discussed in the public meeting,” said Ms. Havelock. “This would make library governance more democratic, giving the public the opportunity to know what decisions are being made and why.”
The Friends is also requesting that the Board’s meeting agenda be posted in advance on the RPL’s website, and that minutes be posted in a timely manner.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of the Regina Public Library. It is open to the public.
