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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-07 Library Commission Summary KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTMTY ROOM SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 ~ 7:30 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/l~ ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES- August 3, 1999 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS ao Director Friends of the Library ITEM 6: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS a, Discussion- New Library Programs Discussion- Proposed Congressional Bill ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/0UESTIONS ITEM 9: INFORMATION ao Kenai City Council Action Agendas of August 4 and 18, 1999. ITEM 10' ADJOURNMENT KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 ~ 7:30 P.M. ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER ~ ROLL CALL Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at approximately 7'35 p.m. called as follows' The roll was Members Present: Brenckle, Brown, Heus, Rodes, Forbes and Peters Members Absent' O~Reilly Others Present: Student Representative Haring, Councilwoman Swarner (arrived at 7:45 p.m.), City Clerk Freas, Emily DeForest and Ethel Clausen ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Forbes suggested a discussion regarding the Library's student survey be added at Old Business. MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED to approve the agenda with the addition and Commissioner Heus SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 3, 1999 MOTION: Commissioner Heus MOVED for approval of the minutes and Commissioner Brown SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD- None. ITEM 5' REPORTS LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 PAGE 2 5-a. Director Director Jankowska reported the following information' · She would be downloading an upgrade for the router over the Internet in the morning to make the router Y2K compatible. · The Dynix catalog would be upgraded on September 27. The catalog would still be text based, but it would be the most recent version. She has not received the documentation as yet, but the catalog will be much better than what is currently available. · After January, she will be considering a change to a graphics interface and get a Windows MT server. She noted, she wanted to wait until after the new year to get used to the catalog upgrade before starting with a new interface, as well as to insure the program is working and compliant. · Wiring for additional Internet connections was placed in the Library. The new jacks were located in different areas of the Conference Room for use by the genealogy classes as well as others. · Two computers were received from other city departments (who upgraded). One of the computers replaced a public Internet-use computer and the other was placed in a study room for public word processing use, etc. · A decision had not yet been made in regard to placing a filter on the planned children's computer. Jankowska noted, the Library has one computer not connected to the Internet. If a computer is identified for children's use and connected to the Internet, she wanted it to be a new computer because of the capacity for graphics programs which children need. Forbes asked if there are websites available for children that are not hooked up to the rest of the Internet. Jankowska answered no, however there was a way to configure a computer to access only children's webpages, but the cost is prohibitive. She noted, it could be done with a proxy server which would filter everything coming in or going out of the Library. It could either stop certain programs or allow only certain programs. It would also require a separate piece of hardware and would be difficult to administer. Jankowska noted the Library currently had four discs available for young children's use, i.e. math and word games, etc. She explained, there would be more variety of programs and for different age groups if the Internet is used. It would be possible to have a selection of CD Roms available at the library which are mounted on demand, but this method would be time-consuming and frustrating with limited staff and resources. 5-]3. Friends of the Library Heus reported no meeting was held since the last Commission meeting. She added, LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 PAGE 3 she didn't think the annual raffle would take place this year since no special meeting had been called to discuss it. She reminded the Commission of the "Meet the Librarian" reception to be held on September 16 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Library. ITEM 6' OLD BUSINESS Student Representative Haring was asked if she was still planning to conduct a survey of Library services with the students at the high school. Haring stated yes and offered to include the students at the middle school as well. She requested a copy of the survey mailed to residents of Kenai in order to adjust it to be more student oriented. Commissioner Forbes stated she had the survey on he.r computer and she would work with Haring in preparing the survey. A draft survey for the students will be presented to the Commission at their October meeting. Suggested questions to be included on the survey were: What would make the library more attractive? Do you feel your academic needs are met by the library? What library services do you use? (Offer a list of services to be checked.) Jankowska noted she would prefer the dial-in number not be included in the information for the students as she was concerned there were no parameters. ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS Discussion- New Library Programs Jankowska reported the following programs were being planned for the coming year: Roxanne Clingman will offer beginner and advanced genealogy classes. The classes will be during a five-week period. During September's Banned Books Week a drawing will be held for a T- shirt, along with a display of reproducible crossword puzzles, drawings, etc. Alaska Noteworthy Publishing House's 40th anniversary will be celebrated on October 9 with birthday cake, bookmarks, balloons and book bags. There will also be some reading and a display will be available. In March, the Library will celebrate Dr. Suess' birthday. The Mystery Lovers' Program will meet once a week for five weeks. The program will include mystery solving games, etc. The participants will be able to win prizes and enjoy a sleep-over at the end of the program. The summer reading program is being planned with a "pirates" theme. They want to offer pins, book bags, books, etc. for prizes. Money will need to be raised for this program. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 PAGE 4 The Youth Writers' Conference is planned again for this year since last year's program was so successful. The program helps children to write, putting their ideas together and learning what the mechanics of book production includes. They will also consider having the participants produce a book to see how much it costs to make a book and to impart respect for books. Money will need to be raised for this program for travel and presentation fees, etc. Turn-Off-TV-Week will be celebrated in April. The program includes six nights of family activities {cooking, drawing cartoons, making hats, monster night, games, etc.). Family reading night is being considered. This program would be held once a month and leaning toward teaching parents to read to their children. Because the Library is running out of bookmarks, a bookmark designing contest is being planned where the children will design the bookmarks, a display will be available and some of them will be printed with library hours, etc. included on the bookmarks. They hoped to have one of the local art teachers help with the program. 7-1). Discussion- Proposed Congressional Bill Jankowska distributed copies of the proposed congressional bill regarding filtering software for Internet use. Copies of Anchorage Daily News articles on the placement of filters on Anchorage municipal computers were also distributed. She noted this filtering of municipal computers was being challenged in court. A general discussion took place where Jankowska reported the Senate passed a bill to mandate all schools and libraries receiving federal funding to have filtering software installed on their computers which are accessible to children. Jankowska continued, she wanted to wait to see if the bill passes in the House. She noted, some of the language is very vague, i.e. the definition of "accessible to children." (She said she would not want to install filters on computers to be used by adults, however children could still walk to an adult-use computer.) Jankowska stated technology is available where a filter could be installed and be turned on and off using a password. Jankowska explained there are three areas where filters can be installed: on stand- alone PC's where each would have a filtering program installed; a proxy server could be used through which computer traffic would be filtered (the computer can be configured to either go directly to the.Internet or go through a proxy server); or using Internet providers where use of the Internet is stopped (this way would give the least control). Jankowska stated, all the filters have a list of site addresses where they stop, but because of the amount of sites created a day, it is almost impossible to keep the list up to date. The filters also search for words, but with that it may stop access to a site that should not be secured. She noted, if the bill is passed, the Library would have to LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 PAGE 5 install the filters. At that point she will await direction from the State Library. Jankowska added, opinions include it is a parental responsibility to watch what sites their children are accessing and the filtering will obstruct freedom of information and freedom of expression. She noted, there will be many lawsuits until the matter is resolved. Heus asked if the bill passes, would it be retroactive for funds already received through grants. Jankowska answered, she believed it would apply only to the year in which the funding is received (from the point the bill is passed and made effective). Rodes suggested letters to the congressional delegation from private individuals could be written. Jankowska was asked if the Library had a current Internet use policy. She answered yes, a person under age 18 needs to come with a parent to use the Internet and a sign is posted by the computers stating the use of the Internet is a parental responsibility. A way to block adult computers from children's computers would be to have them in separate areas or study rooms, which could be possible with an addition to the Library. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Councilwoman Swarner- Reported she was elected Vice Mayor by the council and reminded the commissioners of the October 5, 1999 election. She noted she was running for re-election. Brown- Reminded all of the "Meet the Librarian" September 16 from 4-7'00 p.m. reception to be held on Heus- Reported she would not be attending the October Commission meeting. Rodes- Stated her concern about the filters and would be writing letters to the congressional delegation. Forbes- No comments. Brenckle - Stated it could help to know the council candidates' opinions in regard to a Library addition. Swarner explained the candidates would be on a Friday KSRM radio program at 1:00 p.m. and audience questions can be asked during the program. Also, the candidates will be before the Chamber at their Wednesday, September 29 luncheon and questions can also be asked from the audience. People can also contact Jim Helm at KSRM and offer questions for him to consider asking. Haring- Reported she was happy to be back in Kenai and was anxious to begin work on the student library survey. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 PAGE 6 Peters- Reminded the Commission of the importance to vote in the upcoming two elections. ITEM 9' a, INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of August 4 and 18, 1999. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED for adjournment and Commissioner Heus SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 p.m. Minutes transcribed and. prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 PAGE 7