EBCL Board tables petitioning policy change to March meeting
February 11, 2026
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
The East Bonner County Library Board met Feb. 9 to take testimony and consider changing its policy regarding petition signature-gathering, ultimately voting to table the item until its March meeting when it would review the final language.
That wasn’t before hearing from a handful of residents, including several who felt that an incident of petitioning in late January related to the Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act citizens’ initiative was inappropriate.
Life Choices Pregnancy Center Executive Director Janine Shepard testified that allowing petitioners “for what you would call ‘reproductive freedom’” gives the appearance that the library is “aligning itself” with the content of the petition.
The Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library. Courtesy photo
“Public trust depends on neutrality,” she said, adding that she wanted to see “a viewpoint-neutral policy.”
Others said they felt “accosted,” including former-EBCL IT Manager Brendan Mooney, who filed a complaint on Jan. 26 and said he was “shocked and hurt” by the petitioning because it offended his Christian beliefs.
“I’m just trying to go to the library; I don’t really want to see the place turned into partisan politics. I’d rather have my ideas challenged in the stacks,” he said.
EBCL Director Vanessa Velez agreed that the current policy is “not great,” and proposed several changes — including that signature-gatherers simply inform staff of their intentions, rather than receive “approval” that implies endorsement.
She said multiple legal reviews found that outright prohibiting signature-gathering would be a rights violation. Those activities can be restricted from inside the “limited public forum” of library buildings, but outside property is a public forum — so long as petitioners stay 15 feet from the entrances and refrain from impeding access or pressuring patrons.
The EBCL Board meets on the second Monday of each month. Go to ebonnerlibrary.org/about/board-of-trustees for more info.
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