Library Board, 6 p.m. tonight: eight policies up for a vote, including no knowingly AI-generated books

The agenda for the regular meeting at the Aledo Municipal Complex, 200 Old Annetta Road, lists updates to five policies (Gifts, Computer and Internet Use, Code of Conduct, Collection Development and Circulation) and three new ones (Privacy and Confidentiality, Programming and TalkBox Booth). Library Director Beck Gorman's memo says the Collection Development revisions add "sections addressing the use of Generative AI and the establishment of a Local Author Collection." The draft says the library "does not knowingly acquire or accept donations of 'AI authored' or 'AI generated' text, whether fiction or non-fiction," and that books with entirely AI-generated artwork "generally will not be selected." Local authors must live in North Texas, "preferably Parker County," or have lived in the area at least 10 years.

In the reconsideration process, the request form becomes the "Statement of Concern Regarding Materials Form," and the review committee goes from three members to four: the library director, two Library Board members and the city manager or designee, replacing a seat that went to a library staff librarian or a City Council member. The draft has the director request the committee review within 20 working days. The TalkBox Booth Policy covers booths "funded via a TSLAC LiFi grant." The board also hears a quarterly report with a fiscal 2026 year in review, approves its July 27 minutes and gets a staff update on the Friends of the Library agreement. Public comment is second on the agenda, "normally limited to 3 minutes." A work session on the library's strategic plan follows in the executive conference room.

What you can do. Anyone can speak at public comment tonight; the policy drafts are in the packet.

Source: City of Aledo, Library Board agenda (file 3294), work session agenda (file 3296) and agenda packet (file 3298) for Oct. 22, 2026, CivicClerk, read Oct. 22