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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-10 PLB MINUTES• • • c==o Englewood Public Call To Order/Roll Call d Boar 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-783-6890 FAX Minutes Englewood Public Library Board April 10, 2007 Chairperson, Mark Adams at 7:02 p.m, called the meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board to order. PRESENT : M . Adams, L. Cahill, Margaret Freeman , J. Grazulis, T . Kruk, K. Pilgrim, C. Ransick, Y . Russell , B. Williams and Council Member, Ray Tomasso . ABSENT: School Board member, Sherry Scaggiari (excused). ALSO PRESENT: Unscheduled visitors ; Ms. Shelli Smith(Denver), Ms. Jennifer Lisle (Littleton), Mr. Glenn Lisle (Littleton), Mr. Billy Stewart (Englewood), Mr. Walt Boettger (Englewood), Ms. Joi Hiatt (Aurora), Ms. Colleen Bowen (Englewood), and Mr. Ed Manniko (Englewood). Hank Long, Library Director and Joan Clayton , Recording Secretary. 07-09 Motion: That the minutes of the meeting of March 13, 2007 be approved as written . Moved by: Bervette Williams Seconded by: Karen Pilgrim The Motion passed . 07 -10 Motion: That the minutes of the Special Meeting of March 21, 2007 be accepted as written. Moved by: Julie Grazulis Seconded by: Yvonne Russell The Motion passed. Mr. Adams introduced himself to the unscheduled visitors present and asked that they each limit their comments to the Board to five minutes each. First to speak was Ms. Colleen Bowen. Ms. Bowen said that she was here tonight to represent a group of citizens who have gotten together to form Englewood Cares About Kids. The goal of this group is to maintain a "G" path from the south entrance of the Library , past the adult magazines to the Children's area. In order to have this path Ms . Bowen asked that the top three magazines beginning with "A' be moved, as well as the top three magazines beginning with USA Today through Vanity Fair be moved out of sight and into the interior of the magazine shelves. She mentioned that in other libraries the children's section is separated from the Adult magazines and materials. She said that in talking with the Children 's librarians at Englewood she has learned that the Children's section serves toddlers to 12 years of age. She again showed previous months issues of Vanity Fair to illustrate the escalating problem with the cover's sexuality. Ms. Shelli Smith spoke next saying that she had spoken to the Board on March 21 st and she wanted to make it clear that this issue of the Vanity Fair Cover was not a censorship issue. The point is not to remove the magazine so no one may obtain it to read, but rather it is an issue of covering the "in the face" - 1 - sexuality and display it more "discreetly". She went on to say that the Library should be an "oasis " of safety. The design of the Library is a poor one whereby children must walk past adult magazines to reach the children's area. To say that this is a censorship issue is a "cop out" in Ms . Smith 's opinion . The group doesn't want to deny anyone anything but instead wants to provide a "G" path making the Library a wholesome place to be . Mr. Billy Stewart said he has been a resident of Englewood for a long time and that he feels the Board should listen to the citizens. His concern is about the kids. He said that all they think about is sex but they should be learning about respect in safe surroundings . He said that the magazine is a small problem and we all should move on. Save our kids now! We should promote parents as role models; encourage kids to come to the Library. Mr. Glenn Lisle said his wife had spoken to the Board at the March 21 st meeting and his concern was about the flat rejection of moving the magazine, Vanity Fair , to a d ifferent shelf. Censorship is an absolute refusal to have something available, not moving it to another spot. He said he was disappointed and disheartened that the suggestion to move the magazine was flatly rejected, that the concerns of a citizen were rejected. He added that it was no accident that Flood Midd le School is closing, it is a reflection of the community; that young families don't want to live here and chose to move. Mr. Ed Manniko said in his opinion if there were a good manager in the Library then this would have been settled in a few minutes, making it unnecessary for time to be taken up by over twenty people to discuss . He added that all that is being discussed is to move a magazine a few feet , not to build an entire new building! He said that in all the years he has lived in Englewood he had only spoken to a Board twice , about magazine covers and dog issues. Ms.Joi Hiatt from Aurora spoke next and said that she felt that the Library should be a safe place. As a mom and a teacher she supports moving the magazine stand a few feet to keep the children safe. • Mr. Walter Boettger said he had come just to listen and decided that this should be a non -issue. He said • move the magazine and be done with it. Let kids be kids . Ms . Bowen spoke again saying that the cover of Vanity Fair was erotic and she didn't want her sons to have erot ic experiences in the Library. Ms. Jennifer Lisle said she had been at the March 21 st meeting and found the process fascinating. She said at the last meeting she felt that the meeting had strayed from the po int. Her feeling is that there should be a safe passage for the children to enter the Library and proceed to the children's area. Other libraries facilitate this so she feels that Englewood should do the same. Mr. Adams thanked those visitors who spoke to the Board and invited them to stay for the discussion by the Board later in the meeting. Many of the speakers left at this point though a few remained . Mr. Long reported on the Friends of the Library. There are no upcoming events at this time . In looking at the monthly statistics the question arose about the downturn of the statistics. Mr. Long indicated this is due in part to the natural cycles of the year. Mr. Adams reported on the Five -Year Planning Process. All scheduled community focus groups have met , and the comments all seem to be consistent with those expressed by the survey results from November and January. In addition there was a handout of the Citizen Survey results showing that the Library has a 72% satisfaction rate, above the norm for libraries across the country. The next meeting of the Five Year Planning Group is Wednesday, April 18. Next Mr. Adams opened up discussion by the Board of the placement of magazines in the Library. This discussion was a continuation from the Spec ial Meeting of March 21 . The question of whose values would • be used to determine where a magazine needs to be placed arose for discussion. Everyone has the right - 2 - • ' to have their values respected , but in turn everyone needs to have the opportunity for choices . It is wonderful that we have the opportunity for choice , but don't close off choices for others. The po int was made that all in the community need to be considered. Don 't shut down discussion based on censorship or the idea of "don 't tell us how to run the Library". It was noted that when there was an open Focus Group scheduled in the Library no one came to suggest ways to help , change or comment on the Library. Again the idea that a way to accommodate the entry of the Library without "in your face " exposure to adult images was mentioned . After more discussion the following Motion was made ; 07 -11 Motion: That the magazines be moved on the inner circle area beginning w ith AARP -Aviation Week and USA Today-Yoga Journal. Moved by: Tom Kruk The Motion died for lack of a second . Ms . Bowen expressed her displeasure and d isappo intment with and to the Board . Mr. Adams continued the meeting by saying that he hoped everyone would take the time to read through the materials in the packet, especially the information pertain ing to the Citizen Surveys . Mr. Long mentioned that the Library is co ll ect ing pet food for the Humane Society. There was discussion amongst the Board about meetings being open meetings and what th is means . All Library Board Meetings are open meetings. This means the meeting is run by the Agenda where t ime is allotted for visitors to speak, however discussion is limited to Board members unless otherwise decided . As at City Council meetings , the public may speak and during member's Choice the Council may respond to the speakers. Several Board members expressed disappointment that the speakers had left before the Board members had a chance to respond to comments that were made . • Member's Choice Mr. Adams said he is still unemployed but he has had interviews . Kids are good . Mr. Kruk said he was glad to meet Mr. Ransick who had been ill the previous meetings . Ms . Williams said she had enjoyed the Board d iscussion this evening. Mr. Tomasso said that the house work goes on .... ! Ms . Russell said she was glad to be here tonight without crutches. Ms . Grazulis said her daughter had the opportunity to recogn ize her second grade teacher who had had an influence on her school success. Ms . Freeman said she was looking forward to leaving for Paris on Sat. Ms . Cahill said life is good! Mr. Ransick said he is much improved. He said he respected the w isdom expressed this evening in the Board 's discussion . He wanted to go on record as saying that he feels that Mr . Long does a very good job as the Library Director. Ms. Pilgrim said life is good at her house. Ms. Clayton reminded the Board about the Author Open House on Sunday. • Mr. Long said that the two Children 's Librarians would be representing the Library at the Chamber of - 3 - , Commerce Student Appreciation luncheon on Thursday. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m . • • • - 4 -