A $30,000 investigation into how a proposed diversity statement that became national news is scheduled to be presented to the Library Board of Trustees 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Over the summer, the library staff drafted a statement that included #Black Lives Matter. The Library Board was scheduled to discuss the statement in July, but a letter from Sheriff Dan Coverley vehemently opposing it led to the board cancelling the meeting.
It also resulted in an Aug. 8 protest featuring 800-1,000 people in Minden, most of whom were there in support of the sheriff.
At most, 50 Black Lives Matter protesters turned up that day in small groups.
A few weeks later, on Aug. 25, library trustees voted 3-2 to conduct the investigation, citing the need to do something.
Board member Lisa Foley, who opposed the investigation, resigned as a result of the decision.
Attorney General Aaron Ford told library trustees his office received 70 complaints about the Aug. 8 demonstration.
An open meeting law complaint was filed in early September with the Nevada Attorney General’s Office.
"We are still in investigation and opinion writing process and will hopefully issue an opinion soon," Deputy Communications DirectorAshley M. Forest said Friday.
The library is meeting virtually and the meeting will be livestreamed to Youtube.
Public comment may be made by calling 775-783-6024 or by emailing info@douglas.lib.nv.us.
Douglas County Human Resources contracted with the Reno firm of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart to conduct the probe, which was scheduled to be completed on Nov. 6. On that date, the agreement with the county was extended to Dec. 16, according to documents filed with the Douglas County Recorder’s Office.
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