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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-06 Library Commission Summary CITY~ OF KENAI ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM CHAIRPERSON JERRY HANSON, PRESIDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 7-38 p.m. in the conference room of the Kenai Community Library by Chairperson Jerry Hanson. ITEM Z.' ROLL CALL Roll was taken by City Clerk Freas. Commissioners present were- Heus, Hanson, Brown, Rodes, O'Reilly and Peters. Absent was Brenckle. Also present were Librarian DeForest and City Clerk Freas. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF A~ENDA MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED for approval of the agenda as presented. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION.' Commissioner Brown MOVED for approval of the minutes of June 7, 1994. It was noted a numbering correction was needed for New Business, Commission Comments and Questions, and Adjournment. VOTE: There were no objections to the approval of the minutes with corrections noted. SO ORDERED. ITEM PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE H_EAR_D None. ITEM LIBRARIAN' S REPORT a. Conference - Librarian DeForest reported she attended an Internet conference in Eugene, Oregon. There was lots to learn. DeForest stated her disappointment the conference did not offer more time to visit with vendors and examine their information and displays. ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 1994 PAGE 2 b. SLED - DeForest reported SLED was in operation in the library and they are aware people are using it through their own computers as they have received telephone calls asking how to use it, etc. c. WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK - DeForest reported Linda McNair was working at the Wasilla Library for a week in an exchange program between the two libraries. The Wasilla Library is of comparable size and are also using Dynix. Because the Wasilla Library is partially borough funded, there are other libraries included on their Dynix program. They have one person who works only on Dynix. d. EMPLOYEES - DeForest reported two part-time employees have been hired. They are Julie Niederhauser and Corey Hall. Hall conducted the summer reading program and is already planning for next year's program. Niederhauser, who is studying to be a librarian, transferred from the Parks & Recreation Department. e. ARCO GRANT - DeForest reported an ARCO grant for $3,000 was received. She is hoping to purchase a CD player as an addition to the previous ARCO grant purchased equipment. DeForest stated she is investigating both the stack type, which can hold four CDs, and the jukebox type, which will play 18. The stack type is much more expensive. The jukebox can be used by only one computer/person at a time. A stack can be networked with several computers so more than one patron is able to share the CDs. The stack type can be added to and can be utilized with SLED and the IBMs. Commissioner Heus suggested purchasing the stack and add to it in increments. ITEM 7: FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT Commissioner Heus reported the book sale was very successful. Approximately $1,800 was made. The Friends have not had a meeting since the book sale. Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 12. Minutes will be sent to all of the members to keep them informed. Heus was asked how the membership drive was progressing. Heus reported at this time she has 61 names on the computer list. The relationship between the Friends of the Library to the Library Commission was explained to the Commission's newest members. It was explained the Friends was organized years before the Library Commission. The Friends is a non-profit organization ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 1994 PAGE 3 which can raise and spend money to support the library. The Friends have no official capacity with the city. The Commission is a liaison between the Friends and the city council. ITEM OLD BUSINESS a. Summer Reading Program DeForest referred to information distributed at the beginning of the meeting which reported there were 300 readers and pre-readers who signed up for the program. The program was very successful. Next year's theme will be "Reading Across America" and will focus on United States geography. ITEM NEW BUSINESS a. Citizen' s Complaint DeForest reported a complaint was received from a citizen who objected to the placement of a photograph in the library. A copy of the complaint was distributed to the Commission for their review. DeForest explained the photograph was one of several in a juried exhibit. When arranging for an exhibit to be displayed, she does not see of what the exhibit includes. DeForest added she felt if one piece of the exhibit is removed, the whole exhibit should be removed. DeForest requested direction from the Commission to either find the exhibit objectionable and take the entire exhibit down, or find it non-objectionable and leave the entire exhibit up. If the Commission found the exhibit not objectionable, a letter would be forwarded to the complainant and explain the findings of the Commission. A five-minute break was taken in order for the Commission to review the photograph in question. Commission Heus referred to the "Policies" of the Kenai Library which were distributed at the beginning of the meeting. Heus questioned the statement at "D" of the Book Selection portion where it states, "This Commission defends the principles of the freedom to read and declares that whenever censorship is involved no book and/or library material shall be removed from the library save under the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction." Heus questioned who the "court of competent jurisdiction" is. ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 1994 PAGE 4 She was answered the Commission had the jurisdiction. DeForest added the library has been operating under these polices and procedures for some time. MOTI ON: Commissioner Redes MOVED to leave the exhibit up as it is. Commissioner Brown SECONDED the motion. DeForest was asked if the complainant would be contacted as to their findings. DeForest stated she would send a letter. DeForest added the complainant was invited to the Commission's meeting, but was not present. VOTE There were no objections to the motion. SO ORDERED. b. Review Policy on Intellectual Freedom DeForest stated there is much to think about as there are more things in libraries, in addition to books, receiving objections. DeForest suggested the Commission needs to decide what kind of policy they want to have in regard to intellectual freedom. A more specific determination needs to be made in regard to library materials, which can include posters, handouts, exhibits, etc. The same kind of materials that could be available at private businesses. In referring to the photograph exhibit (discussed at Item 9-a, Commissioner Redes asked if DeForest was able.to review the exhibit before it came to the Library. DeForest stated no, but added she reviewed information about the exhibit. Peters suggested it is much like ordering books. Commissioner Brown noted the picture was hung in a less noticeable place. Commissioner Heus suggested the Commission review the Library Bill of Rights and the American Library Association Freedom to Read statements prior to the next commission meeting. c. Intellectual Freedom Workshop - October Z, 1994 DeForest informed the Commission an Intellectual Freedom Workshop will be held at the Library on October 2, 1994. The first part of the workshop will be free of charge. The second half will have a charge. DeForest invited the commissioners to attend. If ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 1994 PAGE 5 the Commissioners want to attend the second half, the city will pay the charge. The workshop is being sponsored by the Alaska State Library. Both public and school libraries will be represented at the conference. They will be discussing parental rights in regard to what books children may take out, who is responsible for the reading material a child may choose, etc. Commissioner Heus suggested they hold the review of the policies and procedures until after the October 2 workshop. Commissioners should plan on attending the workshop. It was decided the review of the policies and procedures be placed on the Commission's November meeting agenda. However, a short discussion of the item will be placed on the October meeting at which time the Commission members may make some suggested changes to the policies and procedures. A subcommittee of Commissioners O'Reilly and Brown will then'meet with DeForest prior to the November meeting to review and develop suggested amendments, etc. O'Reilly agreed to chair the subcommittee. It was requested that a reminder of the workshop date be sent to the commissioners prior to the workshop. COI~ISSIONERS ' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Hanson - Stated his house is for sale and he intends to move from the state in the near future. Hanson requested Heus to draft the agenda for the next meeting and deliver it to City Hall for distribution to the commission as he will be out-of-state. Heus agreed. Heus - No comments. Rodes - No comments. O'Reill¥ - Requested the definition of the goal of the library as a community computer center. DeForest explained how SLED operated, etc. O'Reilly asked if they will be ending up with the library as a research center. DeForest stated there is that possibility but it is not very likely as it would be very costly. A short discussion followed. Heus stated the library uses the computer to provide information to its patrons. It is a tool to get the information. Heus stated she did not see much difference between a computer and books. ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 1994 PAGE 6 Commissioner Rodes suggested a time be set aside to allow patrons not comfortable with working with the electronic card catalog, etc. to visit the library and initiate themselves to its use. Brown- No comments. Peters - No comments. ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT MOTION.- Commissioner Heus MOVED for adjournment of the meeting and Commissioner Brown SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m. Min~nsc,~~bmitted by: Carol L. Fr~'~~ ~2ity Clerk