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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 12/09/1993CITY OF FORT COLL1-NS PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING Ben Delatour Room December 9, 1993 - 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD -- Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Chairperson, Karen Dornseif, Al Stone, Jerry Roselle, Karen Dornseif, Sandra Webermeier ABSENT: -- Fay Rhoadarmer, Madeleine Wawro LIBRARY STAFF -- Linda Saferite, Robert Holzfaster, Mike Powers, Barbara Surber, Dean Willms, Dave Bagge, Carol Bering, Robert Copeland, Larry Webber, Ellen Willis LIBRARY LIAISON -- Ann Azari The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by the Chair, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald. The minutes of the November meeting were approved as distributed. The resignation of Fay Rhoadarmer from the Library Board was read. The presentation of her certificate of appreciation from Mayor Azari will be postponed until the January 13th Board meeting when she will be present. Mayor Ann Azari was introduced and reported that she had received very favorable feedback on the progress and work being done to set up the new Mini Library and reported City Council's willingness to help move this project forward. Linda Saferite reported on the recommendation to revise the Library policy on discarded books. The library staff, in cooperation with Friends of the Library, are proposing to establish a method of disposing books that are no longer useful to the library and unsalable books donated to Friends. The following changes were proposed: Instead of throwing books into dumpster, they will be put on a cart, placed near the library entrance, and sold at 10C per book. This money would go into a fund that could come back to the library for use in other ways. Some books are infested, moldy or in very bad condition and these will continue to be disposed of. The library will invite agencies that may be willing to purchase or accept the remaining discards i.e. governmental agencies, nursing homes, United Way and yellow shelves to take those remaining the 30th of each month. After discussion and clarifications, Jerry Roselle motioned to approve this policy. The motion was seconded and 0 members approved. Linda Saferite introduced Dean Willms, Adult Services Program Administrator, who gave the first of the monthly "On the Job With" reports. Dean Willms reported on his responsibilities and those of the Adult Services Department. Dean listed collection development, providing ready reference, expanding paperbacks, acquisitions, tracking books and authors and Adult book budget as some of the duties of this department. He also reported that the focus of Adult Services and reference desks may be combined to enable staff to provide more service at one desk. Linda Saferite reported that Larry Webber was now assuming new responsibilities away from the Media Department and would be assisting with the Mini Library planning and development. Linda also reported that in November she held 57 staff interviews to hear concerns and ideas. Linda gave an overview of library highlights: Barton Early Childhood Library/Public Library project Progress of Mini Library location Library focus on customer service Linda Saferite distributed a paper on Barton Early Childhood Library and gave a status report. The Board discussed how helpful the project is in parenting small children. Ann Ostrye- Macdonald reported on a visit with her child to the Barton Library. Ann said that the library was very busy and well used. Mike Powers noted the agreement with Poudre R-1 would be presented at a joint City Council meeting on January 11. Linda Saferite distributed the new "How'd We Do" forms which replaced the old Comment forms. Customer responses will be shared at subsequent meetings. OLD BUSINESS Linda Saferite made a visual presentation of location needs for the new Mini Library. The presentation defined the needs of users in terms of location radius and the types of location models to choose from. The Library Board was given 3 options for the Mini Library service and was asked to approve a model that would best fit the City's needs at this time. The following options were presented: 1. Branch model - popular collection, basic reference books, popular magazines, small balanced "best books" adult collection/best sellers, children's collection - strong, traditional layout, 1 service desk, meeting/storytime room 2. Bookstore model - popular, demand oriented collection, basic reference books, popular magazines, strong childrens collection, non traditional layout/"bookstore look", face out shelving, low scale look, furniture interspersed with books, 1 service desk, meeting/storytime room 3. Porta Boutique model - 300 sf kiosk style, easy to start-up, location could be in the Foothills Fashion Mall, display up to 11,000 books After discussion of pros and cons of each model, Mike Powers requested that closure on this decision was needed promptly in order to proceed with planning. Jerry Roselle motioned to approve the bookstore model and A] Stone seconded the motion. Linda Saferite presented the options for Mini Library service hours: Option 1 Tues.- Wed. 12-8 p.m. Thurs- Sat. 10-6 p.m. 40 hours Option 2 Tues.- Thurs 11-7 p.m. Fri.- Sat. 11-5 p.m. 40 hours Option 3 Mon.- Tues. 12-8 p.m. Wed.- Thurs 10-6 p.m. Friday closed Saturday 10-6 p.m. 40 hours Sandra Webermeier moved to approve option 1. Al Stone seconded the motion. Discussion of general library hours followed; the Board feels future changes of open hours are a staff decision. Linda Saferite presented recommendations to consider changes in the reconsideration form, revising the challenged book policy and attaching the American Library Association Freedom to Read statement and the Library Bill of Rights. Revisions and suggestions were made and Al Stone moved to approve the recommended revisions of the form and of the policy with the American Library Association Freedom to Read statement and Library Bill of Rights attached. The recommendation was seconded by Sandra Webermeier. Ellen Willis and two staff members will read the title "Don't Call Me Little Bunny" by Gregore Solotareff and respond to the customer. The Board will be advised of the outcome at its January 13 meeting. NEW BUSINESS New business regarding the policy changes for discarded books was given earlier in the Report section of these minutes. The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Surber Library Secretary BJS/ attachments: Discard Library materials recommendation Revised selection procedure request Request for reconsideration forms American Library Association Freedom to Read statement Library Bill of Rights CITY OF FORT COLLINS PUBLIC LIBRARY ADMIMSTRATWE POLICIES & PROCEDURES Section: II Number: 19 Subject: Materials Selection Policy Effective Date: May 15, 1992 Replaces Policy Number 19 , Section IT POLICY Selection of materials purchased by the Fort Collins Public Library is based on the particular needs and interests of the community. Individual needs encompass personal development, family living, economic competence, relationships, citizenship responsibilities, and use of leisure time. The library endeavors to make accessible to citizens of the community books and materials which will contribute toward general cultural development and better understanding in and of the community. Since it is an impossibility for the Library Board and the City to personally approve all the selections of library material, trained librarians will be delegated the responsibility for this task with -in the structure of this statement; however, the Library Board and the City of Fort Collins assume full responsibility for all selections. Suggestions for purchase are encouraged from the general public and the staff and are given serious consideration. Criteria for Selections General selection of all library material (including books audio and video tapes, microforms, periodicals, kits, realia and other forms of media) will be made in view of the following: 1 The size and extent of the existing collection. 2. The present and potential needs of the community. 3. The size and extent of the current materials budget. 4. Importance as a document of the times. 5. Reputation, skill, competence, and purpose of the author. 6. Suitability of physical form for library use - size, paper, print, binding. 7. The collections of other libraries from which this library can obtain materials. 8. The fulfillment of the standards for a collection as established by the American Library Association. Materials will be selected in these categories: 1. Information - for reference and individual research. 2. Inspiration - for personal needs for challenging the spirit and intellect. 3. Self-improvement and continuing education. 4. Recreation - for hobbies, social activities, and leisure time reading. 5. Professional material for the library staff and administration. E In the evaluation of each individual item, the following factors will be considered: 1. The purpose and quality of the material. 2. Representation of important movement, viewpoint, trend, or national culture. 3. Vitality, originality, artistic presentation, or experimentation of the material. 4. Its appeal to an age group. 5. Its listing in selection aids and reviewing media. In no case shall any material be excluded because of race, nationality, political, or religious views of the author. The library is committed to providing material presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times, international, national, and local. The library must maintain its position as a free channel of communication to all groups. Materials shall be considered on individual merit and content and for total effect. They shall not be judged because of words, phrases, or situations which in themselves might be considered objectionable. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of contents. The responsibility of a child's use of library materials rests with his or her parents or legal guardian. Selection of materials for the adult and children's collections is not restricted by possibility that children may obtain materials that their parents consider inappropriate. Challenged Material Any question concerning materials contained in the library must be submitted in writing on a form provided. The challenged material will be evaluated by a committee consisting of a librarian and two members of the Library Board. The committee will evaluate the material in question and reach a decision as soon as possible. That decision will be reported to the full membership of the Library Board as a recommendation. The Library Board will then vote on the recommendation and the person challenging the material will be notified in a timely manner. Donations Gifts other than real property will be accepted by the library with the understanding that library staff may utilize these materials without any commitments attached to them. LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services. 1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. 2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. 3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. 4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. 5. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. 6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. The new Library Bill of Rights, revised by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as of October 19, 1979 and adopted by Council on January 23, 1980. THE FREEDOM TO READ 1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular with the majority. 2. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation contained in the books they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what books should be published or circulated. 3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to determine the acceptability of a book on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author. 4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression. 5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any book the prejudgment of a label characterizing the book or author as subversive or dangerous. 6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people's freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large. 7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, bookmen can demonstrate that the answer to a bad book is a good one, the answer to a bad idea is a good one. This set of propositions is contained in a statement originally issued in May 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, now the Association of American Publishers. Adopted June 25, 1953. Revised January 28, 1972, by the American Library Council. N FORT COLLINS PUBLIC LIBRARY 201 Peterson Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 303-221-6742 of t:.s cuu u Public Library CITIZENS REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIAL AUTHOR: TITLE: PUBLISHER (IF KNOWN): DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1. Please comment on the material resource as a whole as well as being specific on those matters which concern you (Please be specific; cite pages. Use other side if necessary.) 2. Have you read the entire material? If not, what parts? 3. Have you read any reviews evaluating this material? a 4. What alternative titles do you suggest the Library have instead? 5. Additional comments: Your Name: Telephone: Address: Zip Code Represents myself Represents organization Staff Member Received by: Date The material you have questioned will be promptly reviewed and reconsidered by librarians on the Materials Selection Committee. You will receive a written reply to your request within four to six weeks. DISCARDED LIBRARY MATERIALS RECOMMENDATION Donated Materials: 1. Library staff preview donated books for suitable acquisitions to the Library collection. 2. Friends of the Library then sort the donated books and select items conforming to their booksale guidelines. The annual booksale generates funds to support library activities. 3. Items not suitable for the Friends of the Library sale will be placed in a bin and wheeled to the designated re -sale location near the library entrance. a. All items are available for sale at IOC a volume. b. An honor box will be used to collect the sale proceeds. The money will be deposited in the city's Library Donations account, #101-000000-367403. Discarded City Materials A. Books: 1. Books warranted to be out-of-date, worn, damaged, or multiple copies of no longer popular titles will be withdrawn from the City Library collection and stamped as a "discard". This is an ongoing process and part of good collection maintenance. 2. Books will be placed in the bin for "honor book sales" located near the Library entrance. B. Magazines: 1. Magazines are retained for a set period of time. They are discarded during the first quarter of the year and will be placed in a bin for "honor book sales". C. Newspapers: 1. Newspapers are retained for a set period of time. When discarded, they will be sent to recycling. D. All books and magazines will sell at 10c a piece. The 30th of each month the bins will be cleared. Charitable organizations who have registered with the Libary's administrative office may purchase the remaining items for a reduced (voluntary) price. The selection of the organization will be a rotating basis.