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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-02 Library Commission Summary KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM NOVEMBER 2, 1999 ~ 7:30 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/~ ROLL CALL ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINU~Es -- October 5, 1999 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS ao Director Friends of the Library ITEM 6' OLD BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Review Library Internet Policy ITEM 7' NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9' INFORMATION ao Kenai City Council Action Agendas of October 6 and 20, 1999. ITEM 10' ADJOURNMENT KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM NOVEMBER 2, 1999 ~ 7:30 P.M. CHAIRMAN BOB PETERS~ PRESIDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairperson Peters called the meeting to order at approximately 7'34 p.m. and the roll was called as follows: Members present: Members absent: Others present: Heus, Forbes, Rodes, Brown, Brenckle and Peters O'Reilly City Clerk Freas, Councilman Moore, Student Representative Ha_ring and Director Jankowska ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION: Commissioner Brenckle MOVED for approval of the agenda as presented and Member Brown SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- October 5, 1999 Director Jankowska requested the following changes be made to the minutes: Page 2, paragraph 5-a(2): "Jankowska reported, the IBM Unix software was not upgraded before the new year, then the library would not be able to go forward with any additional upgrades to the Unix system." This sentence should read, "Jankowska reported, if the Unix system was not upgraded next year, the Library would not be able to go forward with future Dynix upgrades." Page 2, paragraph 5-a(2) (second paragraph): "Jankowska continued, she was concerned about it as she could not act as a 'system administrator, however, the City had the staff to do that." This should read, "Jankowska continued, she was concerned about it as she could not act as a system administrator." MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED to approved the minutes as amended and Commissioner Forbes SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS $-a. Director Internet Policy -- Jankowska reported she met with City Attorney Graves and City Manager Ross in regard to developin§ an Internet policy for the library. She noted a copy of the policy was included in the packet. Jankowska stated it seemed to be workin§ to date. She explained, there was also a sign placed with the computer notin~ the Internet policy as well. A statement was added to the policy notin§ the written definition of what constituted "sexually explicit" §raphics was available at the front desk. A brief discussion followed and it was suggested the Supreme Court case citation be added to the policy and the sign displayed at the computer. Peninsula Clarion Storage -- Jankowska reported the boxes of Clarions had been stored at the Senior Center. Obsolete Equipment -- Jankowska reported the library had some obsolete equipment which they had hoped to include in the city's auction. Since no auction was held this year, the equipment was being stored in the library. Discussion followed where it was noted other city departments stored obsolete equipment where they could find space. It was noted there were not enough items to go to auction this year to make a sale worthwhile. It was suggested the equipment be sold during the Friends Book Sale to be held during the next week. Former Library Director DeForest noted, because it is city equipment it has to be discarded through an outcry auction. Also, because the book sale is run by the Friends, it would be inappropriate for them to sell the equipment. Heus asked if it would be different if the Friends contracted with the auctioneer. Moore noted the proceeds from the sale of the city equipment would go to the General Fund. DeForest noted, the book sale proceeds would go to the Friends. Moore stated he would discuss the matter with council. a-bo Friends of the Library Book Sale -- Commissioner Brown reported the Friends were having a book sale during the next week. They planned to organize the books on Friday. Although the library would be closed on November 11 for Veterans' Day, the sale would continue on Friday through Sunday. Holiday Open House -- Brown reported the Holiday Open House was planned for December and a children's Holiday Open House would be planned for December 5. The children's event will be promoted through Story Hour, a flier, and on the calendar. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 1999 PAGE 2 It was also noted the winter scenes paintedon the library windows were done by Bunny Swan Gease. ITEM 6: OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Review Library Internet Policy Peters referred to the memorandum from City Attorney Graves and other information included in the packet. He noted that during the earlier conversation with Director Jankowska, it was suggested the Supreme Court citation be added to the information. Peters asked if there was a consensus of the Commission this should be done. The answer was yes. Brenckle asked what the consequence would be for someone who violates the Internet policy. JankoWska noted the policy stated, "loss of computer privileges." Brenckle suggested the policy needed more definition, i.e. for how long the privileges would be revoked, etc. Jankowska reported she had checked other library policies through the states and found none that included a duration of privilege revocation. Rodes stated her husband suggested the policy should say, "...may lead to the suspension or revocation of your Internet access..." (Adding the word "your".) There were no objections from the Commission. Commissioner Forbes reported she investigated other library policies 'as well, and noted there were many who included a disclaimer with the policy that said the library was not responsible for what appeared on the Internet except their own web pages. She suggested a-disclaimer be added to the policy as well. There were no objections from the CommissiOn. Several disclaimers were reviewed. Peters stated he didn't think a policy should be too specific, i.e. if an age is included, then the library would have to police it. Jankowska agreed and stated it was difficult to police. Heus stated she thought someone should be watching. Jankowska noted the computers were equipped with privacy screens which made it very difficult for another persons to see what was on the screen. She added, if someone violates the rule, they would suspend their privileges. The discussion continued regarding elements of censorship, suggestions for a disclaimer. Jankowska noted, if a young person wants to use the computer and are under age, they need parent/guardian consent or parent/guardian accompanying them to use the Intemet. She added, the library staff did not ask for age. If the' person looked young, they are asked if a parent came with them to the library. If they say no, they have them use the computer closest to the library staff. Forbes stated she thought it would be better to define the policy to say that parents are responsible for censoring and not the library, along with saying it is the parental responsibility, not the library's to know what their children are viewing. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 1999 PAGE 3 The discussion continued and it was noted parents must sign a library card application for a child. It was suggested an Internet waiver be included on the library card. Haring reported, at her school, a student must have parental permission to use the Internet and when they want to use a computer to view the Internet, they are given a sign to place on top of the monitor to identify they have permission to use the Internet. Jankowska suggested a sticker be placed on the library card instead of placing something on the monitor. 6-b. School Library Survey-- Forbes reported the surveys had been copied and were ready to be distributed to the schools. She noted a change was made after the first question. If the student checks no, they are directed to not answer anymore questions. Haring added, the surveys would be distributed to the Middle School team teachers for distribution and those distributed at the high school would be done s° in class. She also stated, she hoped to have the surveys returned and reviewed by Christmas. ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS -- None. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Peters -- Stated he was looking forward to the holiday season and appreciated the participation of the schools, library staff, etc. Rodes -- Stated she would bring in books for the book sale. Haring -- Stated she looked forward to the results of the survey and added, she thought it would be successful. Brenckle -- Congratulated Forbes and Hating for developing the survey and looked forward to the results. She noted, she thought the survey could generate interest in the library. Brenclde added, she thought it was a good idea to have a holiday get-together for the children at the library. Heus -- Noted the next Commission meeting was scheduled for December 7. Moore -- Stated he would take the question about the obsolete equipment to council for consideration and would request funding for the open house. Brown -- Urged the group to bring unwanted books to the library to sell. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 1999 PAGE 4 ITEM 9' INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of October 6 and 20, 1999. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Heus SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8'40 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 1999 PAGE 5