Children's library card policy to remain the same

A policy of children being at least 6-years-old and being able to sign their name in order to have their own library card will remain in place at Clovis-Carver Public Library.

The Library Board voted unanimously Monday on the policy at a regular meeting, one that was scheduled to take place April 29 but was postponed.

The matter came before the board after Clovis resident Mitch Mender complained about the policy to Library Director Margaret Hinchee.

Mender’s daughter Charlie had come to the library to obtain her own card on her sixth birthday but was rebuffed as she could not sign her first and last name.

According to Mender, Charlie went home, learned how to sign her name, went back to the library and received her own library card.

At Monday’s meeting, Hinchee spoke of “the patron” who complained but did not identify the patron by name.

“He objected to the policy,” Hinchee told the board.

“He said ‘What if the child has no arms?’ There will always be exceptions, there’s no way we would deprive a child,” Hinchee said.

Hinchee told the board she regards requiring the signature as a “rite of passage.”

She added she checked with other libraries around the state and found out most require a child’s signature for a card.

“I think the procedure should stay the same. I don’t think the wording needs to be changed,” Hinchee said.

Hinchee told the board that she has been with the library for over 15 years and the policy was in place when she started.

“I think the library should make every effort for a child to have a card,” Library Board Chair Chris Bryant said.

Board member Kathy Ollom agreed with Hinchee’s stand.

“I like the policy,” Ollom said.

Ollom made a motion to leave the policy as is.

Reached for comment Tuesday, Mender opted to respond with a texted statement.

“I’m extremely disappointed to hear that the Library Board voted unanimously to keep the old policy,” Mender wrote.

He added he’s “frustrated that the Library Board seemed to do this under the table by canceling the meeting I was invited to and then not telling me about the rescheduled meeting.”

“I will continue to fight for everyone in our community to have access to our local library. My law firm is ready to bring suit on behalf of any family or child who has been unable to get a library card due to this archaic policy,” Mender wrote.