Kenai library rules move out of city code Friday and into staff-approved policy

The Kenai City Council voted 7-0 on Sept. 16 to take the Kenai Community Library's rules out of city code and make them administrative policies. The ordinance takes effect Friday, Oct. 16.

City Manager Terry Eubank told the council the library was "kind of an outlier," the one city department with policies written into code.

The council did not vote on the new policies themselves, which cover everything from library cards and behavior to internet use, meeting rooms, displays and book selection. Library Director Katja Wolfe, Eubank and the city attorney approved them, and future changes won't need the council's approval.

The old code barred sleeping or lying down anywhere on library property. The library's new code of conduct allows "quiet rest" as long as patrons stay seated. Wolfe told the council the sleeping ban had "always bothered" her, and said the new rules also make it easier to get a library card.

The library's conference room, which the code limited to government and library events, will be open for free public reservations, including for religious and political groups. Library and city activities get priority. Council member Bridget Grieme said the change will allow more public access to the library's front room, which had recently come up in public comment.

The new circulation policy says the library does not charge late fines. Charges for lost or damaged items stay in the fee schedule the council approves.

The new computer and internet policy says the library does not use internet filters and that online content is accessible "at the user's discretion and risk." Minors need their own library card, which a parent or guardian must sign for, to use the internet on library devices. Displaying sexually explicit images in public view is not allowed.