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1. May anyone speak at a meeting of the Nashua Public Library Board of Trustees?

Yes, members of the public (residents and nonresidents) may address the Board, but only during the Public Comment Period of the meeting. Those interested in speaking must first sign in on the supplied sheet, providing their name, address, and the subjects on which they wish to address the Trustees. The sign-in sheet order will determine the order of speaking, and speakers must state their name and address before beginning their comments

2. When is the Public Comment Period?

The Public Comment Period is the first item on the meeting agenda. Regularly scheduled meetings start at 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month. If no one is signed in, Trustees will move to the next item on the agenda.

3. How long may I speak?

Each person who has duly signed in may speak once for up to 3 minutes. The Public Comment Period as a whole shall last no longer than 15 minutes.

4. What if a lot of people are signed up to speak?

Speakers will be recognized in the order they signed in. In cases of a large public turnout, the Public Comment Period may be extended by a motion and a majority vote of the Library Board of Trustees if good cause is shown. 

5. May I ask questions of individual Trustees or engage Board members in a dialogue?

No. Speakers are to address their remarks to the Board as a whole, rather than address or engage in dialogue with individual Trustees. Trustees are not obligated to respond to comments from the public, but issues requiring possible action by the Board may be added to a future meeting agenda. Issues that can be addressed by library administration will be noted. 

6. Might Trustees ask me questions?

At the request of any Trustee, the Chair of the Board may allow questions from Trustees to speakers, but these questions would be for purposes of clarification only.

7. What can I talk about?

Only issues relevant to the Nashua Public Library may be presented, and speakers are expected to conduct themselves with civility and respect. Because the Public Comment Period is an opportunity to address the governing body of the Library, it is best used to speak on larger policy issues, overall concerns or suggestions, and issues that could not be easily resolved by Library staff. Day-to-day issues and questions are better directed to the appropriate library department.