At its Nov. meeting the Sumner County regional library board voted to suspend standing committees through June and to have the full board address agenda items collaboratively.

Debate before the vote centered on bylaws and inclusion. Some members argued committees are required by the board’s bylaws, divide labor and allow subject-matter work to be completed before full-board deliberation. Other members said committee work had sometimes felt exclusionary and proposed that the board use periodic study sessions or ad hoc committees so all members could participate in pre-meeting review.

"There’s a reason why committees are created ... it is meant to divide out the work," the chair said in defending the committee structure; other members urged a plan that ensures inclusivity and transparency. A member then moved to suspend committees through June; the motion was seconded and carried by the board with the required two-thirds of members present.

What it changes: the suspension means committee business will be handled in full-board meetings or by temporary working sessions until June, with the chair and staff assigning tasks as needed. Board members suggested scheduling study sessions in advance and keeping meeting minutes and committee information accessible to the public to preserve transparency.

Next steps: staff will post the revised calendar and clarify how ad hoc or study sessions will be scheduled. The board did not change the bylaws during the meeting; the suspension is a temporary operational decision.