- The meeting chairperson shall call the meeting to order after it has been determined that the Authority Board members constitute a quorum.
- Those in attendance must remain seated during the meeting, unless they are leaving the room or are recognized and addressing the board.
- The Authority Board will take registered public comments on agenda items only at the beginning of public meetings.
- The Authority Board will take registered public comments on non-agenda items only at the end of public meetings.
- In order to be heard in the public comment period, members of the public must sign in before the meeting begins. Members of the public attending virtually, must register to make public comments at the time they register for virtual attendance. It is strongly encouraged that any materials that speakers wish to distribute be submitted to the Northland Public Library Office Manager at least five (5) days prior to the meeting, and such materials must then be submitted to the Secretary or designated employee representative at the time of sign-in.
- Groups are required to designate a spokesperson to represent them before the Authority Board. The designated spokesperson may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes.
- Only residents/taxpayers of the five (5) municipalities represented by the Authority Board and staff members of the Library will be given a chance to speak during any public comment period.
- All public comments shall be presented at some central speaking area established by the Authority Board and at the time established by the Authority Board. No one shall approach the speaking area without first being recognized by the chairperson. No public comment shall be shouted or uttered from the audience. No person shall speak while business is being conducted or while others are speaking.
- Each speaker will be asked to clearly state their name and address. Only one speaker may speak at a time. Speakers will have five (5) minutes maximum speaking limit.
- In the interest of efficiently conducting meetings in a professional and orderly manner, the Authority Board politely requests during all meetings that pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices be silenced. Library meetings are not an appropriate forum for campaigning or political speeches. No solicitation is allowed.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.
- Good manners shall at all times prevail. Comments shall be presented with respect and courtesy to the Authority Board and the public. Opposing views shall be presented in a civil, dignified manner.
- Speakers are hereby notified that meetings may be recorded. Recordings are retained/destroyed in accordance with Library policy and procedures.
- Anyone who attends public meetings of the Northland Public Library Authority Board is expected to adhere to the Northland Public Library Behavior Policy.
- Members of the public not conducting themselves within the guidelines of these rules and regulations may be asked to log-off or to leave the meeting. Repeat or serious offenses may result in being banned from future meetings and/or banned from the Library.
Approved 6/25/19
Revised 2/25/25
