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09/25/1992 ";~":~~:~!I:~:' ~ ~ I, .' /.' . ('.", ' , " ' \,,,;~:'\~'+I~I'''''I'' :l".' '. ." >.... ". h ,'",.., " . . ~ . . . . . . _ ~ ...l.;~> > . , LIBRARY BOARD, MINUTES , , DATE s~~",~.u; IffJl. j-/17c; Dr. David C. Berry, Chair Wilbert Bacon II Douglas Cowley Frederick Dunn C. Pate Hutchens Thalia Kelsey Katie Herdam Virginia Watson Jack Wilson Guests: ~tl~:It'~'h.. , ., . jl... -1, . .." ill.> CLEARWATER PUBLIC 1.rBRARY BOARD Minutes of the Meeting September 25, 1992 Clear~ater Public Library 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Present: . Absent: Joanne L~urcnti, excused Jill Perrino Althea Andersen, CPLS Linda Lange, ePLS Carolyn Moore, CPLS Matthew Moore, ePLS Shirley Hunt, GCPL Foundation, Inc. David Waddell, citizen Mike Jackson, St. Petersburg Times Cathy Flanagan, St. Petersburg Times Sherry Wallace, USF Oracle Chairman David Berry called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Berry noted the following Board changes: Carol Nielsen resigned 5/15/92. Jack Wilson was re-appointed to a second term. C. Pate Hutchens was re-appointed to a second term, but has resigned effective 10/1/92 as he is moving out of the area, Douglas Cowley and Jill Perrino were appointed to the Board. Mr. Cowley was introduced at this mep"ting. Hs. Perrino was absent. Mr. Hutchens moved to approve the minuLes of the May 15,' 1992, meeting. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Dr. Berry reviewed the agenda and the procedure to be followed for this meeting. He introduced Matthew Moore, Clearwater Public Library System Circulation Librarian, who has spoken on the subject of intellectual freedom at various libraries and has led graduate seminars on this subject. Nr. Hoore gave a 20 minute presenta- tion to the Board on intellectual freedom. Dr. Berry reviewed information distributed to the Board concerning the complaint of David Waddell on three books in the Clearwater Public Library's collection: 1) When Someone You Know Has Aids. by Leonard J. Nartelli 2) Less Than Zero, by Brett Ellis 3) American Psycho. by Brett Ellis The Board examined again the three complaints submitted by Nr. l~addell. Dr. Berry asked Carolyn Moore to present the response of the Library Managing Directors to Mr, Waddellls requests. In a letter to Mr. Waddell read by Mrs. Moore to the Board, the Library Managing Directors agreed with the recommendations of a committee of three librarians after a two-week study of the three books in question. At this time, Nr. \~addell was asked specifically to state his agreement or objections to each of the three reconunendations. After expressing his personal concerns over the books in question, Mr. Waddell made the following statement concerning the recommendation of the committee and the decision of the Library Managing Directors: " ,~ .' ,,'" 4 ' . . . . . . . . . . ,.', . . . " ", . " ,.,.,:..,. , j , " , Clear~ater Public Library Board Hinutcs of the l-leeting Sept. 25t 1992 Page 2 ,: " 1) When Someone You Know Has Aids. Mr. Waddell agreed with the recommendation that the pcperback copy of this book will be replaced with a more current book on the same subject, 2) Less Than Zero. Mr. Waddell is holding his position that the book be removed from the Library. 3) American Psycho. }lr. Waddell did not agree with the committee's recommendation to retain one copy in the system. Mr. Waddell holds to his position to remove this book. Dr. Berry restated Mr. Waddell's request that he feels two bookst and American Psychot still should be removed from the library system. When Someone You Know Has Aidst this book will no longer be discussed, Mr. Waddell agreed with the committee's recommendation and the Library Directors' decision. Less Than Zero \~ith regard to since Hanaging With regard to Less Than Zero, Mr. Wilson moved that the Board agree with the committee's recommendation and the Library Managing Directors' decision. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dunn. Dr. Berry asked that Board comments at this time be kept to the motion so that the Board's task of preparing a statement to the Managing Directors that enunciates the feeling of the Board could be accomplished. Mr. Hutchens called for the question. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion. Motion carries. With regard to American Psycho. Mr. Wilson moved that the Board agree with the committee's recommendation and the Library Managing Directors' decision. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hutchens. ~1r. Dunn asked if anyone on the Board had read the book, which he stated he could not finish. Dr. Berry stated the Board's position is to react to the staff decision and that sufficient information had been provided to the Board to accomplish that task without having read the books in question. Some discussion was raised concerning the selection, placament, and review process for books. Dr. Berry noted that this topic will be addressed at next month's meeting, The Board voted in favor of the motion with one abstention. Motion carries. Dr. Berry discussed a letter from Commissioner Arthur Deegan asking the Board two questions: 1) "Could the Library Board, which in theory represents collectively the standards of our comrnunitYt offer some advice as to the satisfactory solution of what this case calls to our attention?" 2) "Could the Library Board be useful to the Library staff in choosing from among the books it could order so that a balanced presentation of all information about sex could be made?" After som~ discussion, Dr, Berry suggested an interim reply to Commissioner Deegan's questions, stating after next month's Board meeting on book selection policies and guidelines, the Board would be more in a position to answer these specific questions. Mr. Dunn so moved to answer Commissioner Deegan's questions as Dr. Berry suggested, The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson and was approved unanimously. Hotion carries. On behalf of the Board, Dr. Berry extended thanks to Mr., Hutchens on the number of years of service on the Library Board, Friends of the Library Board, and to the library itself. On behalf of the Board, Dr. Berry extended appreciation to Linda Lange, Althea Andersen, Carolyn Moore, and Narsha l-lcGrath having acted as a directorate team . c ~ . .' :;'l~1 " ~i.,~:",.!!,".~ P:; ./J ,~~':". . I : (. ". "'. ~ r(~ !r; ~ ,]I .~ ). t t- , " Clearw8tor Public Library Board Minutes of the Meeting Sept. 25 ~ 1992 Page 3 " " this past year. He stated "they have done a tremendous job in their respective areas in providing leadership to this Board". and he thanked them for, their very fine performance of duty. Mr. Wilson moved that the Library Board recommend to the City Commission to extend a special statement of thanks to the four librarians who acted as Managing Directors. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hutchens and approved unanimously. Motion carries. ~ At this time, Dr. Berry asked for Board comments on any matter they wished to discuss. Following Board comments. Library Managing Directors expressed their thanks to the Library Board for support during the past year. Dr. Berry commented that staff are sometimes asked to do tasks that are not always pleasant~ and he stated "I would applaud them in their efforts and in no way should it ever be construed that they are anything less than professionally qualified or that their morals are questioned because of positions that they have taken on these particular books. . . We have a tremondous and most capable staff, and we are fortunate in that respect," Ms. Andersen invited the Board to the community receptions for Dr. Arlita Hallam~ new Library Dj,rector. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for October 16. 1992~ 9:30 a.m. in the Adler Room. Subject to be discussed: Book selection process. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted. Susan Doel~ Secretary