HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-09 PLB MINUTES,.
Call To Order/Roll Call
3400 South Elati Street, Englewood , CO 80110
303-762-2560 Voice 303-762-2576 FA X
MINUTES
Englewood Public Library Board
March 9, 1999
The meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson,
Bervette Williams, at 7:08 p.m.
PRESENT: C. Belt , M. Giffin , S. O'Leary , R.Ottoson, S. Smithers , B. Williams, Council
Member, Julie Grazulis (arrived late), and Youth Member, Mike Heberling.
REGRETS: L. Cahill, M. Dounay, and L. Parkinson.
ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long, Library Director and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary.
Before approval of the Minutes of the February 9, 1999 meeting Mr. Long noted for the record
that th e meeting in February had been held without a quorum. Ms . Belt and Ms. Smithers had
not been formally reappointed at the time of the meeting. The reappointment of Ms . Smithers
Aid Ms. Belt, as well as the appointment of Ms. Cahill to the Library Board was not done by
~ity Council until their meeting on the 161
h of February. Those present decided that in spite of
this they would vote on acceptance of the minutes of the meeting as written.
99 -8 Motion: That the minutes of the meeting of February 9, 1999 be accepted as
written.
Moved by: Margaret Giffin
Seconded by : Shannon O'Leary
The Motion passed.
Mr. Long reported for the Friends of the Library. He was unable to attend the meeting in
February due to illness but he reported that the Friends had purchased Dr. Seuss puzzles to
be given out to children attending programs in the Library on Dr. Seuss' birthday, Tuesday,
March 2 . Mr. Long said that Hiram Wolgemuth had stepped forward and expressed a desire to
be pres ident of the Friends beginning in May, 1999. Ms. Grazulis, who had attended the
Friends ' meeting, said that more book shelves, books and places to sell books in the
community are needed by the Friends. She said that the Friends were considering having a
"Book Fair" type sale of new books but had not decided upon which company to come in to do
the book fair type sale. She reminded everyone about the friend " Bake Sale on Friday , April
30 .
•. Williams reported as the Cultural Arts Commission liasion about the recent Cultural Arts
Commission meet ing. The commiss ion would like to discuss with the Englewood Historical
Soc iety , Parks & Recreation Commisssion and the Library Board about mutual concerns
Page 2
for the future. Specifically this regards the placement of art and other amentiies in the new
building and surrounding environs . Ms. Grazulis , who also had attended the Commission •
meeting , said that a decision as to what art to be placed at the Light Rail station had been
made . Mr. Ray Tomasso 's artwork has been selected. Because only one art piece had been
chosen but many other fine pieces of art had been submitted, the commission is looking at
placing art in other areas of the new City facility, including the new Library space. Many
different groups have come to the Cultural Arts Commission to present their ideas of uses for
the cultural arts space on the second floor of the new City Hall. One such group as
represented by Ray Tomasso is the Book Arts League, presently housed in the basement of
the Boulder Public Library. The Book Arts league is asking for space in the new City Hall
building. The idea of housing this group in the Library was proposed at the Cultural Arts
Commission meeting. It was decided by those at the Library Board meeting that Mr. Tomasso
should be asked to come to the April 13 meeting of the Library Board to make a presentation.
Those present said that the needs of the group need to be looked at carefully with regard to
the needs of the Library , especially with regard to expansion of Library services and future
growth.
Mr. Long asked that if any member of the Library Board is interested in attending the ALA
conference in New Orleans June 25 -29 1
h that they let him know as soon as possible.
Mr. Long said that advertising has been posted in the Library regarding the coming of Smart
Cards. This has elicted many comments from the public. Mr. Long said that he has personally
talked to or heard from a half dozen people who have asked that the Library continue to offer •
Web -based e-mail access . In talking to staff Mr. Long said he has been persuaded that
keeping the e-mail access does in fact provide a valuable service to the public . Mr. Long said
that he would like to recommend that the e-mail access be retained while blocking access to
chat rooms and newsgroups . Mr. Heberling noted that he felt this is a good recommendation
as he has used e-mail to get college information for himself. Those present concurred with Mr.
Long 's recommendation.
It was noted that the Englewood Schools Art Show is now going on during the month of
March. Many children and parents have come in to see their artwork. This art show is always
very well received by the public .
There was a discussion regarding the work on the Foley 's building . Schedules , timelines and
designs were under discussion. Ms. Grazulis said that plans are being looked at constantly by
City Council and work is progressing, though currently behind schedule . Mr.Long said that he
has requested that once the architect's model is complete , it be displayed in the Library.
Ms . Grazulis asked if the Library had considered doing Food for Fines more than once a year.
She sugges ted maybe doing in July and ·donating food to an agency other than l nterFaith
Task Force. Mr. Long said he would consider this for the future .
Ms. W i lliam s reminded those present that the Libra ry 's volun t eer coordinator, Darrell Chayne ,
is looking for volunteers to help wi t h tax materials. If anyone is i nterested in helping please call •
Mr. Chayne at 303-762-2557.
Page 3
.Member's Choice
Ms. Giffin said that next week (March 15) is when she will be in Nashville for the National
Seminar of Church Librarians.
Ms . Belt said that due to illness she had missed the City Council meeting where Mr. Long had
presented the Internet policy.
Ms. O 'Leary said she is busy , busy, busy.
Ms. Smithers said she wanted to share about a recent Martha Stewart program she had
watched. The program was about the New York Public Library and it's recent renovation. Ms.
Smithers said that though the New York Public Library has many nice things about it, e.g.
size, number of books , etc., they do not have adequate Internet access for their many patrons.
The Library has half of their coputer teminals dedicated to other libraries and museums. The
other half, a total of 50 computers , is dedicated for the public for Internet use with a 1-hour
time limit. Ms. Smithers said she thought EPL was very forward thinking to have a 2-hour limit
and 10 Internet terminals for public use, Englewood 's ratio being so much better than that of
New York Public Library.
Ms. Grazulis said that the City is looking for any information, photos or stories about the
Skerrit House, which is being purchased by the City.
~s. Ottoson said that unemployment is still wonderful.
Mr. Heberling said that life is calming down. He will be taking 2 Advanced Plavcement tests in
late April, for classes he has not yet taken. He said that he likes the policy of blocking access
to chat rooms as he thinks they are a total waste!
Mr. Long said he would be going to Greeley to gather information regarding the Greeley
Museum and Meeker House. Hopefully the information can be used with regard to the Skerrit
House. A discussion followed about Englewood history. Ms. Ottoson suggested contacting
Steve Fisher at the University of Denver for information about Englewood history and possible
photos of the Skerrit House.
Ms. Clayton mentioned that at the next Library Board meeting she would have a pledge sheet
for those who would like to support her by pledging toward the MS Walk. She will be doing the
Walk Saturday , May 8th . Ms . Clayton also said she would be going to Ireland in April with her
parents and husband to see her daughter, Jennifer.
There being no further bus iness the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p .m.
After adjournment some membe rs of the Board stayed to listen to a tape recording of an
•
. terview with Mr. Long that had been broadcast on Colorado Public Radio Tuesday morning ,
arch 9th . The interv iew was concerning the Internet , and blocking access to pornography on
the Internet.