CITY COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA PACKET

Page 2 of 4 DISCUSSION The California Freedom to Read Act requires that every public library jurisdiction directly receiving State funding establish, adopt, and maintain a written and publicly accessible collection development policy by January 1, 2026, and submit it to the State Librarian. Collection Development Policy Requirements for State Compliance The Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825, Chapter 941, Stats. 2024; Cal. Educ. Code § 19802(a)(1)) outlines specific requirements that public libraries must meet in their collection development policies to ensure compliance: “Every public library jurisdiction that directly receives any state funding, including, but not limited to, state funding pursuant to this part, shall establish, adopt, and maintain a written and publicly accessible collection development policy for its public libraries by January 1, 2026, and shall submit that collection development policy to the State Librarian. The State Librarian or their designee may provide technical assistance to public libraries in developing their collection development policy. The collection development policy, at a minimum, shall do all of the following: (A) Establish a process for community members to share their concerns regarding library materials and to request that library materials be reconsidered for inclusion in the library’s collection. (B) Guide the selection and deselection of library materials. (C) Acknowledge that the public library’s collection meets the broad and diverse interests of the community and respect both the library’s autonomy and their specific community needs. (D) Establish that the public library serves as a center for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas. (E) Acknowledge that library materials should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people, and should present diverse points of view in the collection as a whole. (F) Acknowledge the right of the public to receive access to a range of social, political, aesthetic, moral, and other ideas and experiences.” Requirements that the Collection Development Policy Already Meets A review of the Pleasanton Library Collection Development Policy confirmed that it already complies with: 1. The current Request for Reconsideration of Materials Form (Attachment 4) provides a process for patrons to raise concerns about specific materials, meeting requirement (A) 2. The current Collection Development Policy includes clear criteria guiding the selection and deselection of materials, as required under (B), including: • Demonstrated community interest, need, or demand • Quality, including accuracy, clarity, and usability • Merit, awards, or critical acclaim • Reputation of author and/or publisher • Contemporary significance or permanent value • Relevance to the experience and contributions of diverse populations • Extent to which the subject matter is already represented in the collection • Local history and interest • Budgetary and space considerations Page 140 of 376