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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-09 PLB MINUTESe Call To Order/Roll Call 3400 South Elati Street, Englewood , CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-762-2576 FAX Minutes Englewood Public Library Board December 9, 1997 The meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Mary Dounay at 7:05 p.m. PRESENT: M. Dounay, M. Giffin , R. Greiner, S. O'Leary, S. Ostema , S. Smithers, B. Williams, Youth Member, Summer Witt, Youth Member, Mike Heberling REGRETS: A. Leonard, M. Schwindt, and Council Member A. Habenicht. ALSO PRESENT: Scheduled visitors, City Attorney, Dan Brotzman and Council Member Lauri Clapp, and unscheduled visitors, Ida May Nichol, and City Manager, Gary Sears, Tom Munds of the Englewood Herald. Hank Long, Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary were also present. 97-39 Motion: That the minutes of the Library Board meeting of October 14, 1997 be accepted as corrected. Moved by: Sonie Smithers Seconded by Margaret Giffin 6 Ayes Ruth Greiner abstained as she had not received a packet for review prior to the meeting. 97-40 Motion: That the minutes of the special Library Board meeting of November 6, 1997 be accepted as corrected. Moved by: Sonie Smithers Seconded by: Shannon O'Leary 6 Ayes Ruth Greiner abstained as she had not received a packet for review prior to the meeting. 97-41 Motion: That the minutes of the Library Board meeting of November 11, 1997 be accepted as written. a Moved by: Sonie Smithers •seconded by: Margaret Giffin 5 Ayes Sandi Ostema abstained as she was not at the meeting so could not approve minutes. Ruth Greiner abstained as she had not received a packet for review prior to the Page 2 e meeting. Ms. Smithers reported for the Friends of the Library. The Friends are participating with Officer Nancy Peterson in providing new children's books for Christmas for needy families. Any Library Board Member who would like to participate needs to bring new children 's books to the Library by Monday, December 15 for inclusion . Ms . Ostema said that the next meeting of the Book Discussion Group will be on Tuesday , December 23. The book under discussion will be , "By the Rivers of Babylon ", by Nelson DeMille. There was no report from the Save the Bookmobile Committee. Ms . Dounay once again stated that all were glad Ms. Vogel was feeling better and back at work . Ms . O 'Leary reported that she had attended the most recent meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission. The commission discussed t he celebration of 2003 , Englewood 's 1001 h birthday. The student liaison on the commission mentioned displaying art work , possibly in the Library. Mr. Long said the student needs to contact Ms . Mary Lou Tatum to set up the display dates , etc . The Cultural Arts Commission is also looking into the possibility of placing revolving art work d isplays at the Little Dry Creek Plaza , in conjunction with the summer concerts. Ms. O'Leary said that she would be willing to continue as the Library Board 's liaison to the Commission . e Ms. Greiner reported , briefly on the Volunteer Recognition Committee. "We met. We discussed . We decided." The date for the recognition is Saturday, January 24 beginning at 10 :30 a.m . until noon. Each volunteer will receive a certificate and a coffee mug . One volunteer will be specially recognized with placement of their name on the Fielding Clayton Memorial Plaque. Ms. Williams said that the Book Sale Committee has met. Timelines for the sale in June of 1998 were discussed and plans are underway. She will give updates as they occur. Monthly Statistics were discussed briefly . The numbers on the Bookmobile are up , in part due to the return of Ms. Vogel after her i llness. The Library Board budget has been exceeded by $40. Mr. Long explained that this was due primarily to all the material I information on the Internet which had been printed and mailed to all Board members . Mr. Long said that the Library budget would pick up costs to the Library Board for the month of December. For the past several years the Library Board has generously donated their excess budget to the Library for use of material purchases , therefore Mr. Long felt that the Library should help out the Board. When asked how often the Library Board budget had gone into the hole the answer was , never. Mr. Long introduced City Attorney Dan Brotzman , Council Member Lauri Clapp and Board 9 Member, Margaret Giffin to report on their recent attendance at the Internet Conference. Each attendee reported on their impressions of the conference. Ms. Giffin thanked the Library Board and the City Council for sending her to the conference. Page 3 e she said that she now has a much better understanding of the Communications Decency Act , which was turned down by the Supreme Court . All those in attendance at the conference agree that it is illegal to provide pornography to minors. However, it could also be construed to be illegal to have filters I blocks on public library terminals , according to some First Amendment lawyers. There is a project for rating of Internet sites being started by several groups. Ms . Giffin went on to say that she had enjoyed the panel discussion with parents and children on the last day of the conference. The children were ages , approximately, 9 -14. All of the parents of these children , except 1,said they favored no filters. The parents felt that it was better to develop trust with the children than to filter material. Mr. Brotzman gave his report from a "non-legal " stance. He said he felt that the City had sent a very diverse group to the conference , where a very w ide spectrum of thought was represented. All of those in attendance agreed that the Internet is a valuable asset. All agreed that children need to be exposed to the Internet but also need to be protected. The summit was held to discuss ideas , not to necessarily reach conclusions. Everyone seemed to feel that parents in their homes need filters. All attendees seemed to skim over public libraries and schools access to the Internet. Enforcement against pornography will be ongoing , dependent upon technological developments. It isn 't just the illegal pornography that is of concern but also the sexually explicit material and chat rooms. Mr. Brotzman said that he found the conference fascinating and felt that there had been good rapport within the group. He .also said he felt that they group had come up with a good recommendation. e Ms. Clapp said she agreed with Mr. Brotzman that the group was a different mix of viewpoints . She said that she had zeroed in on parental concerns at the conference. She stated that 70 % of children 's access to the Internet nationwide is through schools or public libraries. There have been over 200 Americans arrested as predators of children on the Internet and 60 children have been lured by these predators. Ms. Clapp reiterated that the concern is not just about pornography but also sexually explicit material. Vice President Gore spoke to the conference and made the point that children are different , i.e. they are children not miniature adults. A specific hotline has been set up concerning child pornography. Families need to be educated on how to use the Internet. Another concern is SPAM , which is unsolicited advertising sent to Internet users through E- Mail. Currently there is no way to protect ch ildren from being victim to this advertising. Trust levels need to be developed, but parents need to know what they are dealing with. Two - thirds of the children participating in the panel said they know more than their parents regarding how to get on the lntenet and what is on it. A " family friendly " atmosphere needs to be created. A non-threatening atmosphere so families can develop trust. In the past few years Englewood has had quite a bit of negative press in general. Ms. Clapp said that she feels with the group 's recommendation the City will be seen as proactive . Mr. Long pointed out several articles which he had copied and put out for those present to e take with them regarding Internet sites . Mr. Long said that he had approached the conference w ith mixed feelings , both as a professional librarian and as a parent. There are potential conflicts . He felt that he had overcome a great deal of his skepticism. At the conference he realized that there is a wide chasm between kids using the Internet and the parent's Page 4 e understanding of the same. On the last day of the conference the panel of kids and their parents was most interesting. There was a young boy of 9 -10 who is writing his own programs and working with companies to create logos. The parents were just amazed. This illustrates how important the Internet is. There is fear and lack of understanding on the part of many parents .. The Internet is a luxury. Those parents with no knowledge and fear won't let kids use Internet. These parents need to be reassured. It is a problem of how to involve those who don't want to be involved. Mr. Long said that after having attended the conference, the Englewood group, felt that they had come up with a workable solution to allow access to the Internet for most parties. This proposal, they feel, will allow full access for adults and also allow for parents to chose appropriate materials for their own children. The system under consideration does use filters but also uses a "Smart" card which identifies the user by photo as well as computer chip which has been programmed for an appropriate " level of access " to the Internet. Mr. Long talked to representatives of Guardian Net Company which would work with the Library to set up several age appropriate levels of access. These levels would start at a base level and then add on as each level progresses until full access is reached for those 18 and older. This program would entail intensive staff hours for both site choices and registration of patrons to access the Internet. Guardian Net is excited to work with a public library as this would be the first program of its kind in the country. Parents would sign registration cards for their child, choosing the level at which they want their own child to have access. Every patron 9 using the Internet regardless of age would need to have a "Smart" card. Each terminal would have a box where the "Smart" card would be inserted to access the Internet. The access would not be accomplished without a card. Mr. Long next talked briefly about the privacy issue of terminal screens and the viewing by chance of inappropriate materials. Several options exist for privacy, among them, a study carrel with curtains. Mr. Long prefers to see if "virtual reality" glasses for each terminal would be a possibility. Discussion followed regarding the proposed idea of "Smart" cards and privacy screens. It was noted by Ms. Clapp that technology will hopefully soon be available to remove objectionable sites only and leave good sites, however right now this is not possible. Costs of the Guardian Net program were discussed. Mr. Long said that the company is willing to work with the Library but had no firm costs at this time. Additional staff time would need to be considered into the costs of doing this type of program. Mr. Long would like to further pursue with the company, Guardian Net, how to implement the "Smart" card, costs associated and possibly have the company come do a demonstration for staff, the Board and Council. 97-42 Motion: That the Library Board approve Mr. Long to pursue gathering information from Guardian Net regarding costs, etc. to implement a program for Internet access using "Smart" cards. 9 Moved by: Sandi Ostema Seconded by: Shannon O'Leary 5 Ayes Ruth Greiner abstained as she was not comfortable about the program as proposed. Shannon O'Leary abstained because she felt this was a form of censorship and an Page 5 e abandoning of the present policy. Her feeling is that the policy is a good one and that this program is unnecessary. A discussion followed . The part of parents and those who are responsive and those who are not were discussed. Also discussed was the fact that the Library has control over materials published in print i.e. selection of which ones we add to the collection. Items on the Internet are not controlled. Trying to utilize the best of all the good sites is a challenge . Money will also be a major factor. Gary Sears said that costs will be a real consideration. It appears that the company is eager to make the program happen at a minimum cost. Ms. Clapp and Mr. Brotzman left at this time. Ms . Dounay stated under the Request for Reconsideration Policy that there needs to be a review by Library Board Members of 2 books and a video which have been challenged. Ms. Dounay said she would like to propose that 2 committees be formed for this review. Her recommendation is that a committee of Margaret Giffin, Ruth Greiner, Sonie Smithers and Youth Member Summer Witt review the 2 challenged books, with Margaret Giffin serving as chair of this committee. She further recommended that a committee of Bervette Williams, Sandi Ostema, Shannon O'Leary and Youth Member, Mike Heberling review the challenged video, with Bervette Williams serving as chair of the committee. 997-43 Motion: That a committee consisting of Margaret Giffin, Sonie Smithers, Ruth Greiner and Summer Witt review 2 challenged books and that a committee consisting of Bervette Williams, Sandi Ostema, Shannon O'Leary and Mike Heberling review a challenged video with Margaret Giffin serving as chair of the book committee and Bervette Williams serving as chair of the video committee. Moved by: Sandi Ostema Seconded by: Shannon O'Leary Approved unanimously. Both committees will report back at the January 13, 1998 meeting. 97 -44 Motion: That the Request for Reconsideration Policy be approved as written. Moved by: Sandi Ostema Seconded by: Shannon O'Leary Approved unanimously Ms. Dounay mentioned that 2 Board Members have terms which expire in February , 1998. Marge Schwindt who has been absent due to ill health and Margaret Giffin. Mr. Long mentioned that retiring judge, Lou Parkinson has expressed interest in applying for the Board. Ms. Dounay also reminded those present that election of Chair and Vice-chair of the Board are 9held at the January meeting. Mr. Long reported that the Food for Fines program is going well. Mr. Long was recently quoted in the Christian Science Monitor in an article about food fines, a copy of the article was in the Page 6 e Board packets. Mr. Long invited the Board to a City Holiday Party to be held at the Golf Course, Dec. 17 . Ms . Ostema said she was excited about receiving a copy of the proposed development of Cinderella City. She said she had shared it with several citizens. In looking at the revised Welcome to the Board flyer, Ms. Ostema said she would like the word "advisory" defined. She said she felt that there is confusion over the role of an advisory board both within City Council and the public. Mr. Brotzman will be asked by Mr. Long to submit a written definition of the term advisory with regard to the Library Board's role. Members' Choice Ms. Giffin noted that recently there had been an article in the paper about a missing child who had been found in Puerto Rico, through the use of the Internet. This shows a good use of Internet. Ms. Smithers wished all Merry Christmas . Mr. Heberling said that the Englewood High School is also doing a Food For Fines program. He asked how many other public libraries were at the Washington , D.C. conference. Mr. Long e responded that it was mostly an industry conference though there were a few other libraries there. Mike suggested to Ms. Ostema that on her fliers for the Book Discussion group, she include a "blurb" about the book. He wished all a Merry Christmas. Mr. Heberling will also be playing the tuba at Larimer Square this Sunday. e Ms. Williams said that the Littleton Symphony performance had gone well. Ms. O'Leary said Merry Christmas to all. She urged Ms. Giffin to re apply for the Board. Ms. Greiner said," Ditto Ms. O'Leary". Ms. Dounay thanked the Board Members for bringing cookies to this evening 's meeting. Those cookies which are left will be given to the staff. She said that the School Board Conference she had attended this last week in Colorado Springs had been most interesting. Bobby Kennedy, Jr. Was a speaker as well as Dr . Medina, who spoke on how the brain functions. Happy Holidays to all. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. 12/97jc