Policy Effective Date: 4/10/2026

The Board of Trustees of the Pickaway County Library (Board) welcomes public input in its deliberations. The Board further recognizes the importance of public comments 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.

Consequently, public participation at Board meetings will be governed by the following principles:

1. Public participation at Board meetings is limited to the public comment portion of the meeting as indicated by the agenda. At all other times during a Board meeting, only the President of the Board (or presiding officer) may ask a member of the public to speak. Interruptions by the public will not be permitted. Board and committee meetings are not public hearings.
2. Persons wishing to address the Board must be physically present and signed in by the meeting time. Speakers must reside in Pickaway County and register their names, addresses, and topics on the attendance sheet. Speakers must fill out the attendance sheet before they are recognized.
3. Each person addressing the Board is generally limited to three (3) minutes. This time limit may be modified at the discretion of the Board to ensure an orderly and productive meeting.
4. The number of speakers on any given topic may be limited to three (3) in opposition and three (3) in support of each item, at the discretion of the President (or other presiding officer). Individuals addressing the board may only be recognized once per meeting.
5. Persons addressing the Board, and all members of the public in attendance at a Board meeting, 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 follow these standards.
   Failure to adhere to these principles may result in removal from the meeting.