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Home My WebLink About2007-03-21 PLB MINUTES• • • Englewood Public Board . Call To Order/Roll Call 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-783-6890 FAX Minutes ( , sutapproved by Library Board} Englewood Public Library Board Special Meeting March 21, 2007 Chairperson, Mark Adams at 7:01 p,m, called the meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board to order. PRESENT: M . Adams, L. Cahill , J. Grazulis, T. Kruk , K. Pilgrim, Y. Russell, B. Williams, School Board member, Sherry Scaggiari and Council Member, Ray Tomasso. ABSENT: Margaret Freeman , C. Ransick, ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Colleen Bowen, Michael Bowen, Mark Bowen, Ms. Shelli Smith , Ms . Marie Ulery, Ms. Jennifer Lisle , Hank Long, Library Director and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary. Prior to any discussion Ms. Bowen requested that everyone speak loudly as she is experiencing problems with her hearing this evening . The purpose of the Special Board meeting as stated by Mr. Adams is to hear from Englewood resident, Ms. Colleen Bowen about her concern regarding an item in the Library's magazine collection. Ms. Bowen began by thanking the Board on behalf of her family for the lovely Library as well as the volunteer time of the Board Members . Her concern is about the current issue of Vanity Fair magazine and it's placement in the Library. She stated that her concern began upon entering the Library from the parking area on March 12 and being shocked by the image of the Vanity Fair magazine cover in such an open area where children would be exposed to such an image. She took the magazine to the staff at the Circulation Desk where she was given a comment form to fill out, which she did. She was then contacted by Mr. Long and subsequently she contacted the Mayor, Olga Wolosyn and City manager, Gary Sears. Mr. Long then called her yesterday, March 20 and said that the Library Board would be holding a special meeting tonight, March 21 to hear her concerns. As background information Ms. Bowen said that she feels that all children deserve to have a childhood . This means that children are exposed to age appropriate materials at different levels of their development. Her concern is that the children in Englewood should not have this image presented to them as they enter the Library. She said that she had tried to think of a solution to block the image in some way as due to the configuration of the Library moving the magazines is a large issue. She has instructed her two sons, Mark & Michael, to go around on the outside of the circle containing the magazines on display so that they would not be exposed to inappropriate images . Her concern is for the children of Englewood who come to the Library without their parents and are exposed to these images. Ms. Bowen said she feels that any patron who feels strongly about an image that disturbs themselves or they feel is disturbing for children, should be able to ask to have the image covered. She then asked her two sons who were present to turn away as she passed out past issues of Vanity Fair magazine as well as other similar periodicals to the Board to view. She stated that she had been to several Denver Library - 1 - Branches where she had found the current issue of Vanity Fair magazine to be near the children 's area and had asked that they be moved . In one instance she said that the magazine rack with the issue had been moved away from the children's area . In the case of the placement of the magazine at the Englewood Library the issue is not in the Children 's area but in the common space in the center of the Library. Ms. Bowen ended her remarks by saying she would hope that the Library would be mindful of what is on display in the common area that children pass to go to the Children 's area of the Library . Mr. Long began his remarks by commending Ms. Bowen for her involvement with her children and saying that he wished that more parents were as concerned with their children 's well being. Mr. Long said where he disagreed with Ms. Bowen is that, as libraries buy materials for all ages, invariably someone w ill be offended by their perception of what is appropriate for an age group . Mr . Long stated that the current cover of Vanity Fair while provocative is intended for adults. The cover is intended for marketing purposes . He stated that no one person in the community can set themselves up to be the moral arbitrator for everyone else in the community. He said he was sorry that Ms. Bowen had been offended by the cover of Vanity Fair. The concern is that if one person is offended, then what happens when the next person is offended by something else and then the next and so on . Mr. Long said he sees two issues; #1 that the cover of Vanity Fair though suggestive and provocative is not unlike advertising for lingerie, ie. all parties on the cover are fully clothed . Issue #2 is that one person should not be able to dictate for all others in a community. The center section of the Library is a common area for all ages and there is a designated children 's area. The Board can choose to move the current magazines currently on display being mindful of the space available. Mr. Adams asked for Board members questions and discussion points. Several Board members indicated that they had asked their minor children about how they viewed the current cover of Vanity Fair. One child , female , said she would be embarrassed if she viewed it in the presences of a male friend. Another thought it was disgusting, another not bothered. It was acknowledged that the cover was definitely a ploy on the part of Vanity Fair to sell magazines . A discussion of marketing for the purpose of attention and selling followed with examples used of how the magazine is currently displayed at Wal -Mart , Sunflower Market , King Soopers and other outlets. The question of censorship was raised . Community norms must be considered not only individual feelings. Much discussion followed regarding the beginnings of censorship ,ie.if a patron is offended by an image, what happens when it is a word , a book, an idea? No resolution came from this discussion, though many ideas were examined. It was stated that this could be the beginning of a "slippery slope": that every time there is a perceived offense that there has to be a hurried response . The point was made that when offensive images or books are hidden in some way they become even more des ired. Use this as a time to have a meaningful discussion with one 's children was an option expressed frequently. The concern was raised about those children of Englewood who come to the Library without parental supervision or parents who would talk to them about the image. Mr. Long reiterated that the Library, unlike a public school , does not act in loco parentis. Banning is not a solution , moving the magazine could be a reasonable accommodation. It was stated that the role of a library is to serve a diverse community in all ways, without censorship, but to practice tolerance for the rights of the patrons . That in this case the magazine cover is very "in your face" as you enter the Library from the parking area. There is no choice about being exposed to the visual image. It was pointed out that there are two entrances to the Library so there is a choice of viewing the magazine or not. Michael Bowen was asked if he had been offended by other magazines in the Library and how often. He indicated that yes he had and probably offended at least once per month. Mark Bowen stated that he had been in many libraries and had to say he had never been offended by the cover of a book in the library. When asked specifically what she wanted from the Board about this issue, Ms. Bowen said she wanted the ingress and egress of the Library to be without offensive images for children and adults . The Board took a short five minute recess to view the magazine area . When the Board reconvened the idea was explored to defer a decision for further discussion to the next regular Board meeting on April 10 or to come up with a motion to decide the whole issue at this special - 2 - • • • meeting. • 07 -OJ· Motion: That the magazines which curren t ly face out toward the Circulat ion Desk, as well as the maga'lnes which currently face the entrance of the library from the parking area , be moved to face th e interior of th e circle in the center of the Library and "scrunch " the remaining magazines to fit. • • Moved by: Tom Kruk Seconded by: Yvonne Russell Ayes: 3 Nays : 4 As a res ult of th is decision , the current issue of Vanity Fa ir w ill go back on the shelves . Ms.Russel l said that she appreciated the accommodation but realizes that there is th en a domino effect and where does it stop . In life we can 't always be in control of what goes on. There are no easy answers . 07 -ol Motion: That there is further discussion about this topic at the next Library Board meeting on April 10 , 2007 . Moved by: Tom Kruk Seconded by: Lorra ine Cahill The Motion passed. The meeting was adjourn ed at 8:45 p.m . - 3 -