HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-12 PLB MINUTES"
3400 South Ela ti Street, Englewood , CO 80110
303-762-2560 Voic e 303-762-2576 FAX
Minutes
Englewood Public Library Board
May 12, 1998
Call To Order/Roll Call
The meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson,
Bervette Williams , at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT : M . Dounay, M. Giffin, S. O'Leary, S. Smithers , B. Williams , Youth Member, Mike
Heberling and Council Member, L. Clapp (left 8:05 p .m.).
REGRETS: L. Parkinson and S. Witt
ALSO PRESENT: Pat Jurgens, Automated Services Librarian, Tom Munds, reporter for the
Englewood Herald, Hank Long, Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary.
·8-6 Motion: That the minutes of the Library Board meeting of April 14, 1998 be accepted as
written.
Moved by: Mary Dounay
Seconded by: Sonie Smithers
The motion passed with 5 Ayes.
Mr. Long reported that the Friends of the Library Big Book Sale is coming up the weekend of
June 6 & 7. St. Anne's School recently donated their leftover sale books to the Friends group
for use at the Sale. Ron Miller of Public Works and Bill Clayton helped moved 40 -60 boxes
of books for the sale from St. Anne's School to the Folels building for storage.
Ms. Smithers reported about the book discussion group. The group met at the end of April and
indicated that they desired to continue to meet at the Library. The group will be in contact with
the Friends to join the group and move ahead with plans for future meetings.
Ms. Dounay reported that the Save the Bookmobile Committee would be meeting at 3 :15 p.m.
on the 14'h of May at Clayton Elementary to discuss the future of the Bookmobile fund. There
is currently $12,557 in this fund.
Mr. Heberling attended the recent Cultural Arts Commission for Ms . O'Leary. The commission
A working toward future activities surrounding art in the park, specifically selection of a statue
~r the pedestal by Pier 1. It was suggested that the Cultural Arts Commission might work with
the Library Board in sponsoring some musical nights in the Library in the next year. Ms.
O'Leary said she would take this idea back to the Commission.
•,
Page 2
Mr. Long thanked Ms. Williams and Ms. Smithers for their hard work on the recent staff •
apprec iation meals. He said that the staff had been most appreciative of the meals and the
company. There was a brief discussion about the idea of changing days of the week for future
get togethers, possibly a Monday & Tuesday. All felt that the idea of having 2 days was a good
option.
A comment was made concerning the number of homebound patrons noted on the EPL
monthly statistics . Ms. Williams said that she noticed that the number of patrons seemed to be
increasing. Mr. Long commented that the numbers seem to fluctuate yearly. Ms. Williams, who
helps deliver items to the homebound patrons , said that these patrons, are very appreciative
of the service.
Mr. Long reported that there was no further news from GuardiaNet. Mr. Long had sent a letter
to Stephen Boyles and had received no further news; as of this date, in Mr. Long 's opinion,
there is no product to be had from GuardiaNet. The response from this company seems to
consist of excuses as to why there is no product. Mr. Long suggested that the Board meet with
City Council at a study session and have a discussion about where things are and where to
proceed from here. City Manager, Gary Sears had suggested the study session on Monday,
June 15 at 6 p.m. for the meeting of Council and the Library Board . Ms. Clapp asked that
before going to Council the Board explore other companies for software that could meet our
needs. She mentioned that she had given a name to Sue Bradshaw of a company who
claimed to have what GuardiaNet could not provide. Mr. Long thanked Ms. Clapp and said he •
would get the name and pursue attaining information from them. It was decided that as many
of the Board that could attend would attend the June 15 study session . Discussion followed
about the format of the study session.
Ms. Dounay asked about recent problems with the Internet. Ms. Jurgens responded that there
are approximately 1, 300 uses per month of the Internet. Out of these 1, 300 uses there have
been a handful of incidents in the past 6 months where sexually explicit images have been left
on the screens. There have been several discussion between patrons and staff regarding
reminders of Library policy concerning pornography. These discussions have been between
adults and staff as well as teens and staff . A discussion followed about sites and what is
acceptable and not acceptable. Less than 1/10 th of 1 % of the users are using the Internet
inappropriately . Ms. Clapp asked what is considered unacceptable. Ms. Jurgens responded
that images are what staff is most sensitive too. Staff tries to also be sensitive to words but
graphics are most obvious. Discussion concerning hate sites followed. Ms. Jurgens said she is
not aware of hate sites becoming more commonly accessed.
Ms. Clapp again suggested that other companies and what they have available for software
governing access to Internet sites be explored prior to going to the study session with City
Council. Mr. Long said that he would explore other companies other than GuardiaNet and
bring the information to the study session. It was felt that there is value to City Council sitting
down with the Board and having a discussion about Internet and brainstorming . Ms . O 'Leary
mentioned that when Mayor Burns had come to a Board meeting he indicated that City •
Council was interested in having recommendations from the Board . It was decided that part of
the June 9 th Board meeting would be devoted to strategy talk regarding the meeting with City
Council.
Page 3 • Tax Night, April 15 was not a successful as had been hoped. Less than 5 people have made
use of the extended hours. Ms . Jurgens said that Mr. Chayne had set up extra help the
weekend prior to the Tax deadline and that this had made a big difference to the staff. Those
who came in for tax forms were very appreciative of the service the library provided. The
Board commended Mr. Chayne on the job he had done in organizing the tax information.
Mr. Long mentioned that in the past the Board had supported the Englewood Schools summer
program with money to help children make use of the summer school classes being offered.
98 -9 Motion: That $40 be sent to the Englewood Schools for use in the Summer Program
to provide 3 classes for a student.
Moved by: Sonie Smithers
Seconded by: Margaret Giffin
The Motion passed with 5 Ayes.
Next under discussion was the future of the Cinderella City redevelopment. City Council has
given the go ahead to proceed with the idea of moving the City Hall , Courts and the Library to
the Foley's building, depending upon the final cost. Council is in the process of trying to pin
down costs . Ms. Dounay asked when the move might occur. It was stated late 1999 or early
.000. '
With regard to the 1999 Budget, Mr. Long said that the FYCP (Five year Capital Projects) part
of the budget had been submitted. The Library is asking for 2 large items, 1.) to replace all the
Kid's Komputers, currently Macs, to PC's, 2 .) replace the study carrels with 8 new wooden
study carrels to match the new tables and chairs . Requests concerning the move to Foley 's
will be addressed in the future.
Members Choice
Ms. Giffin mentioned that she still has her teenage houseguests.
Ms. Clayton said her son, Daniel had recently been accepted in the MD I PHO program at the
University of Colorado Medical School. The program is a 7-year program, fully paid, at the end of
which her son will be both a medical doctor and have a PHO.
Ms. Dounay donated a book from the Korea Foundation to the Library. Ms. Dounay said her
daughter, Amy had been awarded a $20,000 fellowship to study organic chemistry. Only 5 of these
fellowships are awarded nationwide each year. Ms . Dounay also said that Council Member,
Habenicht will be chairing the Englewood Holiday Parade.
Ms. O'Leary said her son had made it through the 2nd grade! Ms. O'Leary will soon be a graduate of
.e Leadership Englewood Program , which she felt was a great experience.
Ms. Smithers said she had recently seen a TV show where someone was beating furniture to make it
look old, this came to mind when talk revolved around the new furniture.
Page 4
Ms. Jurgens mentioned that there was a new staff member, Claudia Tomass who was in children's
services and doing a wonderful job. The children's area seems to be coming alive. There will be a
new staff person in Technical Services beginning June 1.
Ms . Giffin said she thought the new furniture looks wonderful. She recently had brought children
from the Sheridan schools to the Library for field trips supported by a grant she had written for this
purpose . The experience had been wonderful for all the students and the exposure to the Internet as
well as the local history trunks.
Mr. Long once again commended Danice Manos, Library staff member in Technical Services and
Former Board Chair, Marilyn Brenengen for their hard work and choices with regard to the new
Library furniture .
Ms. Williams mentioned her granddaughter had graduated from elementary school to middle school.
Her grandson will be going to Arapahoe High School next year where he will play in the band. The
Band will be going to New York to play in the Macy'"s Day Parade.
Ms. Dounay mentioned that this year Englewood High School had a National Merit Scholar, Alex
Hironeau. ·
Mr. Long thanked Mr.Munds for his coverage of the Library in the Englewood Herald .
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 15 p.m.
5/98 jc
•
•
•