Kenai moves library rules out of city code

The Kenai City Council voted 7-0 on Sept. 16 to move the Kenai Community Library's rules from city code into administrative policy. The ordinance takes effect Friday, Oct. 16.

Library Director Katja Wolfe, the city attorney and the city manager will then approve policies on library cards, conduct, internet use, meeting rooms and displays without a council vote. Fees for lost or damaged items stay in the council's fee schedule.

The old code barred sleeping or lying down on library property. The new conduct code allows quiet rest for seated patrons. The conference room, once limited to government and library events, opens to public reservations. The circulation policy ends late fines. The computer policy drops internet filters, leaving online content accessible at a user's discretion and risk.

"So it really is kind of an outlier as far as the city department went," City Manager Terry Eubank said of the codified rules.