HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 10/14/2004LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - OCTOBER 14, 2004
V Council Liaison: Marty Tharp Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams
(Phone 221-6670)
Chairperson: Ralph Olson
A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on October 14, 2004 in the Ben Delatour Room
of the Main Library at 201 Peterson Street. The following Library Board members were present:
Rudy Maes, Don Oehlerts, Ralph Olson, and Melissa Pattison.
Library Board Members Absent: Bob Burns and Mary Robertson
City Staff Members Present: Brenda Cams, Carson Block and Marjorie Teklits
Friends of the Library Liaison: Gwen Kelly
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Ralph Olson. Don Oehlerts moved
to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2004 meeting; Melissa Pattison seconded the motion,
and it was unanimously approved.
Corresoondenee:
Library Board members received mail invitations from Boltz Elementary School to attend "Latte
Day" on October 20'h. City officials, School Board members and PSD Administrators will be on
hand to help celebrate Teen Read Week.
An email from the City Clerk's office regarding due dates for 2005 Work Plans (November 30)
and 2004 Annual Reports (January 31) was distributed as well as copies of the Board's last
submission. To assist with the work plan, Brenda offered to share the Library's 2004 list of
accomplishments and 2005 goals when they are completed.
Board members will be receiving an invitation to a Volunteer Appreciation event at the Library
on Sunday afternoon, November 14a . Brenda encouraged Board members to attend, not only
because they are volunteers, but also because staff look upon them as representatives from the
City Council.
Reports/Presentations:
a. Director's Report - Brenda Carns
As can be seen from the "How d we do?" reports, technology issues seem to be popping
up more and more. In general, the public is very pleased with services made possible by
technology, and they have also been very complimentary about the "patient and
knowledgeable" staff who assist them.
Thanks to technology, approximately 61% of items checked out to date this year were
done by the self -check machines. The average in most libraries is around 20%. Ralph
said this is a great statistic to use in the newsletter.
Jimena Pena is being hired for the Bilingual Library Assistant position effective
November 1. She has worked with the program in the past and is familiar with the
Library.
In addition, Pamm Clements has been hired to fill the vacated Training Librarian position
and Margot LaFontaine filled the half-time Library Assistant position at Harmony
Library.
One Librarian at Harmony Library will be taking a maternity leave and the Teen
Librarian is resigning to relocate, leaving a shortage of two people at that location. We
are hoping to receive approval to fill the Teen Librarian position at the appropriate time.
b. Friends of the Library - Gwen Kelly
The fall book sale was a tremendous success, with 35,000 books on sale. Thanks to
support from the community, the Friends netted approximately $37,000.
A big event is planned for November P at the Senior Center and the Library Board was
invited to join Tom and Jean Sutherland for a night of story, song and poetry.
Brenda said the Friends actually made about $87,000 this year with sales from the
Friends Shop, small sales throughout the year, and the Annie Walk. Ralph said the
Library Board really appreciates all the things the Friends do for the Library.
C. Council Liaison
As Marty Tharp was unable to attend, she will be invited to a future meeting.
d. State Filtering Law - Carson Block
Carson's handouts included copies of House Bill 04-1004, Interpretations and Issues in
Relation to the Library Filtering Bill (the Attorney General's opinion), and the home page
from the Colorado Filtering Clearinghouse or a guide to legal compliance.
At present, the default on new library cards is filtered access. This will be changed to no
access, and customers will have to decide which they prefer. Stations in the Children's
area will be filtered by default unless or until a parent wishes to change the access level.
Melissa asked if filtering blocks sensitive issues, such as health related topics. Carson
said sometimes it does. He added that after testing various filtering systems, the system
the library uses, Smart Filter, seems to be working better than some of the free filters
which blocked various subjects for no reason. Gwen asked the cost of Smart Filter, and
Carson said a three year subscription runs about $3,000 which does not include the cost
of server maintenance.
Ralph asked about the age children are still considered minors; Carson said up to age 17.
Melissa asked if the library requires supervision by parents of their children using the
internet. Brenda said supervision isn't required but it is the parents' responsibility to
choose the child's level of internet access.
Gwen asked how one chooses their level of access. Carson said when customers request
a library card, they must choose either no access, filtered access, or full access. Gwen
asked if the level of access appears on customer's accounts. Carson said that it does not
appear on account information; this is a safety measure so that minors cannot change the
access level chosen by their parents.
Ralph asked if the disclosure of records statement on the back of library cards is accurate.
Brenda said it is not totally since the creation of the Patriot Act.
Current issues being discussed by Public Desk Managers include the status of the 20-
minute stations on the first floor at the Main Library near the Circulation desk and
whether or not to display signage indicating that the Children's internet stations are
always filtered. They are working on our compliance plan after which it will go before
the City Attorney for review prior to implementation by the end of the year.
New Business:
a. Library Board By -Laws - Brenda Cams
A draft of suggested revisions was distributed, and Brenda explained that they don't
change what the Board does in any way but, rather, makes the by-laws conform to those
of the other Boards and Commissions. Don Oehlerts motioned to approve the revised by-
laws; Melissa Pattison seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Round -Robin:
Ralph said the next Editorial Board meeting at The Coloradoan is November 10`h. He
will advise Board members if the Board is able to schedule them as part of the meeting.
When asked, Brenda informed them that the biggest issue facing the Library at present is
technology funding, and this would be a topic to emphasize.
Although Mary Robertson was unable to attend tonight's meeting, she wanted members
to know that she submitted a Soapbox article regarding Building on Basics to The
Coloradoan. She assumes they haven't run it as yet due to all the election coverage
letters.
Melissa Pattison volunteered to represent the Library Board at the November 5rh
Harmony Library Advisory Committee meeting.
Brenda Cams said there haven't been any new developments with the Southeast Branch
project. At this point, it is looking good, but the developer still has stores to sign up and
issues regarding common area fees, ownership of the building, etc. still have to be
discussed.
Melissa asked if Board members can help with recruiting new members. Brenda said the
deadline to apply has been extended, and appreciates Board members spreading the word.
Ralph suggested to Gwen that perhaps some members of the Friends of the Library might
be interested in applying.
Rudy said he is pleased that the Bilingual Library Assistant position has been filled, and
that now the program can continue to expand.
Ralph expressed the Board's wishes that Rudy Maes continue his interest in the Library
Board after his current term expires.
Ralph suggested the newsletter for Council be shortened to one page and include updates
on where the Board is as far as membership, positives resulting from community
fundraising efforts, and reductions in services that could occur if the food tax is repealed.
He will meet with Brenda to work out the details.
Brenda said she hoped Board members can attend the Day of the Dead Celebration on
October 29 b and 30a'.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
Administrative Secretary