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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-09 PLB MINUTESCall To Order/Roll Call 3400 South Elati Street, Englewood, CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-762-2576 FAX Minutes Englewood Public Library Board September 9, 1997 The meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Mary Dounay at 7:02 p.m . PRESENT: M. Dounay, M. Giffin (arrived late) , R. Greiner (arrived late), A. Leonard (left early), S. O'Leary, S. Ostema, S. Smithers, B. Williams , Youth Member, Summer Witt , Youth Member, Mike Heberling REGRETS: M. Schwindt and Council Member Habenicht. ALSO PRESENT: Scheduled visitor, Judy Cabrera, Interim Executive Director of lnterFaith Task Force, Unscheduled visitors, Phil Gilliam and Vince Atencio, Hank Long, Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary. -cheduled Visitor Judy Cabrera, Interim Executive Director of lnterFaith Task Force introduced herself and said she had come to speak to the Board about two items. The first was to thank the Board and the Library for it's past Food for Fines Program, a program she hopes will continue . It is the help of individual contributions and the partnerships with community entities which enable lnterFaith able to serve the Sheridan, Englewood and Littleton community. lnterFaith provides over 1/3 of its services to the Englewood community alone. The second purpose of Ms. Cabrera 's visit was to let the Board know about the programs lnterFaith provides. The mission of lnterFaith is to help maintain or achieve self sufficiency for their clients. Ms. Cabrera noted that this mission can not be carried out without the help of those in the community, such as the Library's past participation. Ms. Cabrera asked if there were any questions she could address from the Board. Ms. Dounay noted that lnterFaith is noted for being the best program going for emergency aid in the area. She asked what cash donations contribute to the agency. Ms . Cabrera said that cash is usually used for rental assistance or utility assistance . Clients must be accountable for the use of cash by providing lack of rental payment notices or unpaid utility bills. It is lnterFaith's job to be good stewards of the resources of the agency and community. Ms. Smithers asked what kind of donations are most needed now. In the Fall clothes and food. Mr. Heberling asked if those being helped give back to the agency. Ms. Cabrera said that most clients do within 3 - 5 years and many clients will volunteer with lnterFaith. There are approximately 250 volunteers per year at lnterFaith, most of whom are clients. Once again Ms. a::;abrera thanked the Board for their contributions and time. She asked that if there are further ~uest ions to please call lnterFaith. Page 2 Unscheduled Visitors Mr. Phil Gilliam , 3821 S. Huron, Englewood was present and asked to speak to the Board. Mr. Gilliam wished to address the accessibility of pornography through the Internet. He stated that he had come in with his two sons (a S1 h grader at Charles Hay & a freshman at Englewood High School) to work on the Internet. When Mr. Gilliam typed in the word "sex" he was taken aback by the amount of information available. He talked to the Reference Staff at that time about the material he had accessed. He felt that filters should be on the terminals, limiting who can access this material. Mr. Gilliam upon further thought called his Council person, Lauri Clap to voice his objection to the ease with which pornography could be accessed. In turn Ms. Clapp referred Mr. Gilliam to Board Member Ostema who invited Mr. Gilliam to speak to the Board about his concerns. Mr. Gilliam stated that he felt it is hard enough to be a kid these days without being exposed to pornography. He added that he had done some homework on filters and found that Denver Academy used a program called "SURFWATCH". Ms. Dounay interjected that the 2 Internet terminals in the children's area have filters. Mr. Gilliam said he had not been aware of that. He would like to encourage the Library to have filters on all Internet terminals, feeling it is illegal to have pornography where there are children. A brief discussion followed. Ms. Dounay thanked Mr. Gilliam for coming to the Board with his concerns and encouraged him to talk to Mr. Long in more detail. Ms. Dounay went on to say that the decision to have filters on only the children 's terminals was a decision that was not arrived at lightly by the Board. Mr. Vince Atencio said he had been alerted to Mr. Gilliam's comments and was present just to observe. Mr. Atencio is a candidate for municipal judge in Englewood's November election. Mr. Atencio asked if there were written procedures regarding Internet policy. He was told that there are practices and procedures in place but not a written policy at this time. The Board has decided to review the Internet issue on a quarterly basis as it is not unique to Englewood. Mr. Long invited those present to have refreshments which had been provided by "Latte Da", the new coffee bar owners. Old Business 97-27 Motion: That the Minutes of the Library Board Meeting of July 8, 1997 be accepted as written. Moved by: Ame Leonard Seconded by : Sonie Smithers The Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Smithers reported for the Friends of the Library. The next meeting of the Friends will be Wed., September 24 at 6 p.m. in the George Perrin Room. The Friends will hold a Bake Sale Halloween, Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, which will coordinate with the City's Holiday Parade. Ms Dounay asked if the date of the Bake Sale would be changed if there is a need for an alternate date's use for the Parade. Ms. Smithers indicated that the date would not change for the Bake Sale. Page 3 9 Ms. Ostema said the Book Discussion Group will next meet on Tues., Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. The book title to be discussed is "September'' by Rosamude Pilcher. Ms. Leonard reported for the Save the Bookmobile Committee. The Bookmobile will be entered in the Holiday Parade, November 1, however Ms. Leonard said she did not want to coordinate the parade this fall. Volunteers were asked for to work with staff member, Mary Lou Tatum. Ms. Ostema volunteered to work with Ms. Tatum. Ms. Ostema asked Mr. Gilliam if his Scout troop would be interested in participating in the Parade. Mr. Gilliam said he is involved with a Boy Scout Troop in Denver, however he is also a Weebelo leader with his son's troop at Charles Hay Elementary. There was no report for the Cultural Arts Commission. It was noted that the Summer Reading Program held on the Bookmobile this summer was a success as reflected in the figures on the Library Monthly Report. Mr. Long thanked Ms. Leonard for all her help with this program. Mention was made that the Library Board Budget has a balance of $1,200. There is a Colorado Library Association Conference being held at Copper Mountain the weekend of October 10, 11 & 12. If any Board Member would like to attend please let Ms. Clayton or Mr. Long know so the Board funds may be sent for registration. 9 1n discussion of the statistical reports comments were made that statistics were not all bad considering the closure before the end of the month for the Library remodel. This prompted comments about how nice the Library looks. Mr. Long reported that with regard to the Library's membership in the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, 3 other city departments are also members of the Chamber, separate from the City's Membership; they are, Safety Services, the City Manager and the Office of Neighborhood and Business Development. Several items are outstanding with regard to the remodel project. These include items which are back ordered, changes in design of the lights in the adult stacks and finishing of the handrails for the ramp outside the conference rooms. Mr. Long and Ms. Greiner had discussed the possibility of having a "low key" Open House for the public to show off the remodel. Ms. Greiner reported on prices for entertainment for the Open House. Suggestions were made by other Board Members to try to find other entertainment. Ms. Smithers suggested that the Open House be held the weekend of the Friend's Bake Sale and the City's Holiday Parade. This idea was welcomed by all present. The date picked was Saturday, November 1 from noon - 4 p.m. Ms. O'Leary and Ms. Smithers volunteered to help Ms. Greiner with plans for the Open House. Mr. Gilliam offered to give information from his Boy Scout Roundtable to Ms. Greiner for more entertainment ideas. Ms. Dounay reminded those present that on Saturday, September 27 the annual City Council/ -City Staff Budget Retreat will be held beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Library in the conference rooms. Ms. Dounay said she intended to be present for part of the time and asked if anyone else from the Board could attend. Ms. Giffin said she could attend. Ms. Dounay reminded those present that while this is a meeting held in public, not a public meeting; therefore you Page 4 may come and listen but not speak, unless addressed by Council or Staff. Next for discussion was the "Intellectual Freedom & Reconsideration of Library Materials " policy. This policy had been sent in the packets for discussion at tonight's meeting. Suggested changes are in bold print. After beginning a paragraph by paragraph review , a discussion ensued regarding how this policy will affect the Internet being considered as part of the Library's collection. Ms. Ostema was concerned about having the City Attorney review the policy with regard to the freedom of information discussion before City Council. Mr. Long stated that Mr. Brotzman had in fact reviewed and approved the policy with its proposed changes . It was noted that this policy is designed to be an umbrella type of policy with a more specific policy to be written regarding the Internet and its uses. Procedures for challenged materials were gone over with proposed changes. It was decided that Mr. Long would rework the policy with the changes as agreed upon by those present and the Board would discuss the policy further at the October meeting. Mr. Long reported that the Proposed 1998 Budget meeting with Acting C ity Manager, Chuck Esterly had gone well. The Library is asking for a new position to be added , that of children 's librarian. With regard to concerns expressed by Council Member Clapp about the Internet, Mr. Long had sent a memo to the City Manager stating the library's position and background information . In addition , Mr. Long will be a member of a panel discussion about f ilters on the Internet at the upcoming CLA conference in October. Ms . Greiner asked that Mr. Long and any other Board members who attends the conference bring information about filters to the October Board Meeting. Mr. Long recommended that the Library Board invite City Council to view the Internet, in much the same way the Board had come to the Library and reviewed Internet use. After viewing the Internet in a ·non public area, to accommodate questions , Council could then come to the Library and see how the Library has set up the terminals for use. Those present felt this would be a good way to visit with Council. Mr. Long mentioned that the idea had been that of Ms . Clayton. A letter will be sent to Council inviting them to the next meeting. It was noted that there is a new operator of the coffee cart , Ms. Jeannie Pershin who has renamed the operation , "Latte Da". A note will be drafted to Ms. Pershin thanking her for tonight's refreshments . Ms. Williams asked about Leadersh ip Englewood , being sponsored by the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Smithers who is in charge of this program in her capacity with the Chamber of Commerce said it is going well. Scholarship money has been made available for enrollees. Ms. Smithers said she expects up to 10 participants . Mr. Long said that he feels that this is a ve_ry worthwhile project and will take $100 from the Library 's Budget to put toward a scholarship . He i n turn challenged the Board , the Friends of the Library and the Save the Bookmobile Committee to contribute money towards scholarships . Ms. Smithers said she was very pleased that the City Council had agreed to give $2 ,000. Page 5 e Member's Choice Mr. Heberling said he is selling Entertainment Books for choir at Englewood High School. Anyone w ishing to purchase a book can contact h im . Ms. Smithers said she had recently had an 85 1 h birthday party for her mother. Ms. Greiner shared that her daughter's algebra book had been defaced by another student's undesirable words. She pointed out that these words are everywhere , even in math books! Ms. Giffin said that retirement isn 't all its cracked up to be! She has gone back to work in the Sheridan School District to help at Ft. Logan Elementary school after the media center person had unexpectedly left . Ms. Williams said her summer had been grim but all is well now. She passed around pictures from the Book Sale in June. Ms. Ostema said that the Chamber of Commerce is having a luncheon at the AVS restaurant on Oct., 9 to meet the Council candidates. The public is welcome to attend . Ms. Smithers mentioned that the Chamber and the Friends of the Library are co-sponsoring a public forum that same night. a Ms. Witt said she had had to go back to school on her birthday. She has quit her job at the •cleaners . She is busy with school. Ms . Clayton mentioned she will be in Scotland with her husband for the next 2 weeks . She also said her husband Bill had recently received h is master's degree in public administration with a certificate of non-profit. Ms. Dounay said there will be a celebration at Flood Middle School on November 14 to celebrate the Blue Ribbon School designation. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9: 15 p.m. 9/97 jc