HomeMy WebLinkAboutE.8 - Staff Report - Revised Library Collection Development Policy CONSENT ITEM
E-8
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEILA HASSEN, CITY LIBRARIAN
DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
SUBJECT: REVISED LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
BACKGROUND:
The Azusa City Council approved the current Materials Selection Policy for the Azusa City
Library on June 21, 2010. This policy provides guidelines for Library staff when selecting and
maintaining Library collections, ensures consistency in the acquisition process, communicates
selection criteria to the public, and supports the Library's mission by providing materials that
support literacy and lifelong learning within budgetary and spatial constraints.
The California Freedom to Read Act was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on
September 29, 2024, after being introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (66th District) and
passing both the California Assembly and Senate. The California Freedom to Read Act (AB
1825) requires every public library jurisdiction that directly receives any state funding to establish,
adopt, and maintain a written and publicly accessible Collection Development Policy for its
libraries by January 1, 2026, as specified in the bill.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1) Approve proposed changes to the Azusa City Library Materials Selection Policy to align with
requirements under the California Freedom to Read Act.
ANALYSIS:
Existing California law establishes a public library system, including school libraries, unified
school district and union high school district public libraries, municipal libraries, county free
libraries, the California State Library, and library districts. Under existing law, “the Legislature
declares that the public library is, among other things, a source of information and inspiration to
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
9/15/2025
Revised Library Collection Development Policy
September 15, 2025
Page 2
persons of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and economic statuses.” With the passage of
the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825), every public library jurisdiction, as defined by
existing law, that directly receives state funding, including grant monies, will be required to
develop, adopt, and maintain a publicly accessible collection development policy by January 1,
2026, as specified in the bill. Failure to do so by the established deadline may result in the forfeiture
of grant and other state funding, including current grants and broadband funding. Furthermore, the
bill requires the Collection Development Policy to be sent to the CA State Librarian for compliance
review.
The primary functions of a Collection Development Policy are to provide a framework for
librarians when selecting and deselecting Library materials, ensuring intellectual freedom,
maintaining a collection that is comprehensive, diverse, and meets the needs of an evolving
community while observing physical and budgetary limitations, and communicating the library’s
methodology in selection and retention to staff and patrons. AB 1825 would also prohibit library
materials in a public library from being excluded, and access to library materials from being
limited, solely on the basis of viewpoint or perceived intended audience for library materials.
The CA State Library prepared a compliance checklist for public library jurisdictions to assist in
the Collection Development review process. The Azusa City Library referred to this checklist, as
required, to update its current policy, to align with AB 1825. The now renamed Azusa City Library
Collection Development Policy draft was reviewed and approved by the CA State Library on May
14, 2025, and unanimously approved by the Azusa City Library Commission at the August 4, 2025
Commission meeting. Pending City Council approval, the revised Collection Development Policy
will be adopted and publicly posted, in order to receive a receipt of compliance from the CA State
Library.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed action.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved by:
Leila Hassen Sergio Gonzalez
City Librarian City Manager
Attachments:
1) California Freedom to Read Act Bill Text
2) Redline/Strikeout Version of 2010 Materials Selection Policy
3) CA Freedom to Read Act Process and Checklist Issued and Approved by the California
State Library