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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - (2)LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting —August 12, 1999 6:00 p.m. Council Liaison: Michael Byrne Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams (Phone 221-6670) Acting Chairperson: Ed Jakubauskas (Phone:223-7428) A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on August 12, 1999 in the Ben Delatour Room at the Main Library. The following Library Board members were present: Kris Folsom, Carolyn Haase, Ed Jakubauskas, Rudy Maes, and Charles Robles. Library Board Member Absent: City Staff Members Present: Friends of the Library Liaison: Mary Robertson, M. Madeleine Wawro Brenda Cams, Michael W. Powers I.R:TII Mai9 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Acting Chairperson, Ed Jakubauskas. The minutes of the July 8, 1999 Regular Meeting stand as written. CORRESPONDENCE Copies of Ed Jakubauskas' August 3rd letter to the Editor of The Coloradoan regarding financial support for the library, article from the Colorado Libraries journal entitled Your Fist and My Nose: Rights, Responsibilities and Filtering in Public Libraries, the Solar Today article featuring Harmony Library's daylighting design, and various newspaper articles regarding the library during the past month, were shared with Board members. REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS A. Library Director - Brenda Carns Brenda summarized a recent situation in which the City Council received input from a citizen regarding the Internet access provided by the Library. He suggested that the Library download Crosswalk, a Christian filtering software as a way to stop children from seeing pictures of unclad women. Library staff closely monitor the children's Internet stations and conclude that it is unlikely that this type of use would go unnoticed. Library 1 Internet access is used by at least 200 customers each day to obtain information on a wide variety of subjects. Unfiltered access by adults is definitely upheld by the courts when challenged, and it is unclear how the courts would view filtering children's access. Mike suggested that the Board examine the topic of intellectual freedom in relation to pornography as it relates to libraries. Lu Benke, Lead Children's Librarian, will be invited to give an overview of the subject at a subsequent Board meeting. Brenda gave a summary of recent developments with County funding of library services. County Manager Frank Lancaster and the County Commissioners met with City Manager Fischbach, the City Council, Mike Powers and Brenda. The County will provide two facilitators to meet at next week's regional Larimer County Library Director's meeting. They will plan an approach to involve all the libraries and a citizens' group in examining the options for regional funding of library services which will be brought to both governing boards next June. Mike commented that we need to be careful about jumping to a solution before examining all the options carefully. The Library Board was invited to participate in the CLA conference and should let Marge know if they are interested as soon as possible in order to receive the early bird discount. The Library will pay for rooms, meals and registration of Board members. B. Friends of the Library — Joanna Lambert, Acting Liaison Joanna reported that the Friends made $23,000 at last year's annual book sale and that she is aiming for $25,000 this year. She also reported that $3.00 was received the first month and $67.00 the second month for recycled cassettes collected at Harmony and Main. Rudy asked Joanna to give him discarded children's books to distribute to families visiting the Learning Center to receive school supplies. It is one more way to encourage kids to read. Joanna will ask someone who works sorting books for the sales to contact him. OLD BUSINESS A. County Funding Update No additional information was shared beyond that covered under the Director's Report. Ed expressed concern that no library related letters were recorded in the recent newspaper article about issues that have received public comment directed to the City Council. Joanna Lambert will talk with the Friends of the Library Board of Trustees about distributing a letter encouraging them to let their elected officials know about their desire to have the library receive more funds. NEW BUSINESS A. Nominating Committee Rudy reported that the nominating committee composed of he and Maddy Wawro, nominated Ed Jakubauskas for Chairperson and Mary Robertson for Vice -Chairperson of the Board. This was seconded by Charlie Robles and approved by unanimous vote of the Board. Committee Assignments Committee assignments were announced as follows: County/State/National: City Council Relations: Community/ Public Relations Chris Folsom (chair) Carolyn Haase Rudy Maes Charles Robles Charles Robles, (chair) Maddy Wawro Mary Robertson Chris Folsom Mary Robertson (chair) Maddy Wawro Rudy Maes Ed will serve ex officio on each committee. He requested that the three committees meet before the next Library Board meeting and report back next month. C. Other: Rudy asked Mike about the possibility of redirecting excess revenues created by the Tabor Amendment to the Library budget. Mike explained that the Library did not appear to qualify for any funds as approved by voters. Carolyn summarized the problems with security issues and public buildings and suggested that the Board review the Library's emergency procedure manual. Brenda reported that the emergency procedure manual was up to date and that staff are periodically trained and drilled to deal with emergency evacuations. A copy will be shared with Carolyn and Charlie to read. Carolyn mentioned three areas of concern: the speed of response to emergencies by the appropriate help, evacuation plans and the Library's role in the event of a neighborhood crisis. Charlie has had experience with crisis management with the police department and will look at the areas mentioned by Carolyn for consideration. Rudy asked for volunteers to help at the Library's table at the Learning Center. He praised the library staff for being responsive to the needs of the community and has received compliments about the library from members of the Hispanic community. Ed reported that the International Night has expanded, attracting an average of 100 participants at each program. Ed and his wife, Ruth, presented a program on Latvia that had standing room only. It will be given again on Thursday, August 19" at Harmony Library at 7 p.m. Brenda reported that the Fort Collins Symphony Executive Director, Lee Hill, is working with staff to put together a program featuring the conductor with one or two musicians lecturing and performing in a series of programs at both Harmony Library and the Main Library. The Friends of the Library will be asked at their next Board meeting if they wish to participate as sponsors by providing refreshments and paying for CD's of the concert music to be placed in the library's collection. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Cams Library Director 11