(a) Program Outline. The Library shall establish the Read to Recovery Program, through which the Library shall make available to the public a wide selection of written materials and books from Mutual-Help Programs for recovery from substance-use disorders and non-substance-related addictive disorders. Written materials and books offered through the Read to Recovery Program shall be available in all languages, as reasonably available to the Library for acquisition and distribution. No Library membership card may be required for an individual to obtain written materials and books offered through the Read to Recovery Program, and such written materials and books shall be free to keep.
(b) Implementation. The Library shall implement the Read to Recovery Program under the direction of the City Librarian, who may adopt rules and regulations that further the purposes of this Chapter 123A
. By no later than July 1, 2025, the Read to Recovery Program shall offer written materials and books at each of its Library branch locations, in addition to the Main Branch of the Library. Acquisition of written materials and books from Mutual-Help Programs shall be within the purview and discretion of the City Librarian. Mention of a specific Mutual-Help Program in this Chapter 123A
does not bind the City Librarian to acquire written materials and books from that organization, nor does failure to mention a Mutual-Help Program in this Chapter 123A
preclude the City Librarian from acquiring written materials and books from such an organization.
(c) Informational Campaign. The Library shall develop an informational campaign to educate the public on the Read to Recovery Program. Such campaign shall include, but need not be limited to, the use of print, online, social media, and public forums, and shall publicize the availability of free-to-keep written materials and books from Mutual-Help Programs. All forms of public notice provided pursuant to this subsection (c) shall comply with the requirements of the Language Access Ordinance, Chapter 91 of the Administrative Code, to provide vital information about the Library’s program in the languages spoken by a Substantial Number of Limited English Speaking Persons, as defined in Chapter 91.
(Added by Ord. 168-24, File No. 240332, App. 7/12/2024, Eff. 8/12/2024)