[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6400940,"mediaKeyId","2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41","parentId",2067339,"title","Library reports strong program participation, notes staffing changes; board accepts resignations and offers outreach position","audioSeconds",304,"startMs",1021000,"endMs",1325000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41&start=1021&end=1325","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41/thumbnail_1021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6400940/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Library-reports-strong-program-participation-notes-staffing-changes-board-accepts-resignations-and-offers-outreach-position","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6400940-6c5abae08a54c9c8fd415cfac844209f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178872&Signature=XC4VrZL74PwoUxwfe9U1wDGNFTGh9sQ7VKtHBIxK1AGKIoWHTJvklYWmeOX3pTdeCZUqWnUEzJJ88RBtO75iCsXck~NcNkaswHWmtlBq39VHGGp3OgDJ8-daRxp4TzfN4TzZcjpI4oby0MUVCjzpb9Apl06WcDR3cA8JzHlfmxpDmlLfJLIe1pAFGOI7s98~p-WUmB90DTRq~7Ldze5XLY3UMV9zqOcVxLPnS9MLjYNElsQCr8HQkkivyfq26k7jRJVgqHgM6YJ29mZ5QCZ5szHAqGaGijfh0VqB9BcMq7P9YAQMxXxKvgjAPDTQX1JHbObC6y5dylU6AfWzt2kLRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madison City, AL","date","2025-01-05T15:49:35Z","article","Library staff reported high usage figures and a range of programs, and the board accepted the resignation of two employees and offered a new staff position during the meeting.

The Library Director said the library hosted 904 programs and reported circulation of more than 236,000 items, noting that door counters capture only one set of doors and that actual attendance is likely higher. The director said the library is “one of seven libraries in the state that are charged to serve a population of over a 100,000 people” and that the library operates on a budget of $6.29 per person.

The board recorded acceptance of the resignations of Melinda Jones and Sharon (last name not specified in the meeting record) and said it had offered the position of outreach and adult programming to Lauren Tubbs, who is expected to start this week. Board members said Tubbs will assist with upcoming events, including craft fairs, while she “gets her feet under her.”

Board members and speakers emphasized that staff and volunteers have borne public criticism and that rhetoric in public forums can affect employees’ well-being. The board praised staff efforts and said the library remains understaffed and that the board is trying to support staff and find additional help, including work-study students.

No specific salary or personnel contract details were provided in the meeting record; the board did not go into executive session for personnel matters during this portion of the meeting and discussed the matters in open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Limestone County Library Board Meeting 12/5/24","oneSentenceSummary","Library leadership reported high circulation and program activity, said the library serves a population of more than 100,000 on a reported per-capita budget of $6.29, and the board accepted two resignations and offered an outreach and adult-programming position to Lauren Tubbs.","taxTitle","Madison City, Madison County, Alabama","taxId",12439,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6400945,"Foundation shifts grant funds to summer reading after LED sign blocked by historic-district rules",116,730000,846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41&start=730&end=846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41/thumbnail_730000.jpg","/articles/6400945/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Foundation-shifts-grant-funds-to-summer-reading-after-LED-sign-blocked-by-historic-district-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6400945-d7c8a4db6a8f1996da339faa2ac50b83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178872&Signature=UfT3BA4PGq-6Z3nrJa30DRgjCojxcgqUfs1uG-IcOhWZzkd182ic0J-rAhkH6bTzFv1ckS7tpZBdTJvjqk1fvJhlc0ZptVB~pRP-k~ai-D3ZA3k4obGcmpaGYwtQOPIeCJbnARNFDpe-4zG6I2xdqPOCIWcV4YxX-NZgmAAQ-tM0C2oQnaoXJiBgQQMHigI2rJ6YL0WlZ73cvF4jNQRDNA7~qM9~kYYmE6dBwQmRnJ7-0ic2iBtSAYUWuN5zHMViowsyCy3yG-tksc0T9P1Bm5JsMTM3E15d1f9jMQl5WeZHlOFi8Z274eCnxPu4Xm6O0Pq-8jyuyDqEKgrZ2hTOrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Foundation members told the board they will repurpose grant funds they had considered for an LED sign and instead use the money to support the library’s summer reading program and in-library cosmetic improvements.

A foundation representative said the group had met with the city planning department and learned that the library site falls within the downtown historic area, where an LED sign is not allowed. The representative said, “So from deco, we had 155, and from Daniel's foundation, we had 10,” and that both foundations prefer the funds be used rather than returned to the funders.

The foundation representative said they plan to rewrite the grant proposals and present the revised use to the funders for final approval; the representative added that DECO has given them until April to finalize the changes but that they intend to move faster. Proposed uses include salary for summer-reading staffing, supplies, and cosmetic updates in rooms used by the program, such as addressing worn carpet in the community room.

The board heard that some expenditures could be spread across multiple years, particularly for items that are not tied strictly to next summer’s outreach. No formal board action on the foundation’s plan was recorded in the meeting minutes; the foundation representative presented the planned reallocation for the board’s awareness.","Library foundation members said they will reallocate previously planned funds for an LED sign toward the library’s summer reading program after city planning determined the proposed sign would not be allowed in the downtown historic area.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6400951,"Madison City Library board approves policy revisions after state review; public urges continued access to challenged books",240,394000,634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41&start=394&end=634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2067339-7f0dd60db02f8817a1ff626e7a51fa41/thumbnail_394000.jpg","/articles/6400951/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Madison-City-Library-board-approves-policy-revisions-after-state-review-public-urges-continued-access-to-challenged-books","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6400951-5a6474a04acb1cb0d0c64ff2cde6d4e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178872&Signature=lQ8h7gcCp8HBPyqWfR6rTJUdeElTRY63TGqv8~crdrEcUDDBoacDotYe~WnH6Frj83kjUPMC3~uaTdMfgaxRTwI6AvJcbm7vOZnf~5PKG0~2Lgv3sDOEVR-7ObKfPiZ3Nv-YUvl1RIfBiKV4aSSb6s2PyoyvzS5jUBAzP-FJUbJo28dBxXR7Jt~kahCqKs8ize2s64yuwXv~Oy8xqYb~jfZZTmK1hVWX678ci6PgenPWLczi0aH74BPWeB7VF9Yh6NqwAnBcRZRF07D~EJSg~k7Gq6zn8ULiJh8Ep5zjNA~LG2PJJPYicYSlmmP9eNpbdNLQEvlJLMyubye-FzVAlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison City Library Board voted to accept revisions to its policy after a state review and will send the final draft to the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS), the board said at a meeting where multiple public commenters pressed the board to maintain broad access to library materials.

Board Chair said the board had made the changes requested by the state and then called the vote: “All those in favor, say aye.” After the aye vote, the chair said, “Motion passes,” and that the draft would be finalized, mailed to APLS and posted on the library website.

The board said state reviewers asked for specific citations and wording changes to align the library’s policy with state guidance. Board members described one wording change as replacing references to “children of mine, young adults” with “patrons under the age 19” to clarify age categories and reported receiving verbal confirmation from APLS that the policy will pass the state aid check.

Public commenters repeatedly urged the board to preserve access to historical materials and current-events books. Reverend Carrie Pyle told the board she would not leave the state over disagreements and asked the board to “keep access to the historical record and current events, including … gender stories in the children and young adult sections with age-appropriate standards.”

Jerry Davila, speaking during public comment, said libraries are central to free inquiry: “Libraries are more than just buildings with shelves and books. They are the main part of a free and informal society,” he said, urging the board to resist efforts to restrict access.

Board members emphasized that the policy revisions were made to secure state funding and to provide clarity for staff, who the board described as doing “a wonderful job.” The board said attorneys and state reviewers examined the draft and that the changes were mostly clarifying language and required citations.

The board did not identify formal challengers by name in the meeting record; several commenters referenced broader national debates about book access and urged the board to adopt policies that keep material available with appropriate, staff-applied age guidance.

The board expects the finalized policy to secure the library’s state aid; a board member said the library would receive its first state aid check shortly after the APLS stamp of approval.","The Madison City Library Board voted to accept revisions to its policy to comply with state review and to send the final draft to the Alabama Public Library Service, while multiple public commenters urged the board to preserve access to history and current-events materials in children’s and young-adult sections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library reports strong program participation, notes staffing changes; board accepts resignations and offers outreach position

Foundation shifts grant funds to summer reading after LED sign blocked by historic-district rules

Madison City Library board approves policy revisions after state review; public urges continued access to challenged books