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The speaker emphasized that libraries are publicly funded and thus legally committed to providing equal access to their facilities and services. She remarked, "You're a public agency and you're... committed to non-discrimination and the provision of services." This obligation means that anyone who is legally eligible can book a meeting room, regardless of the event's content or the organizer's beliefs.
She characterized this requirement as "unfortunate," suggesting that it is an unwelcome necessity born out of legal mandates. Specifically, she referenced the influence of government funding and legal protections—"we've taken Caesar's coin"—implying that accepting public money and adhering to regulations leaves libraries with limited flexibility in decision-making.