For the past 15 years, the Gaines County Library System has required any adult wishing to register for a library card to provide a valid photo ID; additionally, they also had to be a resident of Gaines County and a U.S. citizen. In Wednesday's Gaines County Commissioners Court, librarian Sabra Hall asked that those regulations be changed.
Hall explained that the County adopted the library's policy in 2007, and prospective cardholders often came in without proper requirements to get a library card. "Most of the time, they would have a friend/relative that had proper requirements make a card, and they would borrow against it." However, this week, a patron brought it to Hall's attention that the American Library Association Council has a resolution stating that no one should be denied a library card because of their origin, age, background, or views.
Included in the resolution is the following sentiment. "America's immigrants are a strong and valuable part of the social fabric of our nation, and the library community opposes all local, state, and federal attempts to restrict access to information by immigrants." Hall noted that the German population makes up most of those who visit the Gaines County Library hoping to check out books.
The wording in the new registration requirements states that one of the following from any state or country is required: a driver's license, a government-issued ID card, a military ID, or a passport. The Gaines County Commissioners unanimously approved the new requirements.
