10/16/1992
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..LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES
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Cl~EARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting October 16J 1992
Clearwater Public Library
9:30 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Present:
Absent:
Douglas CowleYJ excused
Jill Perrino
Virginia WatsonJ excused
Jack Wilson, excused
vacancy
Dr. David C. Berry, Chair
Wilbert Bacon II
Frederick Dunn
Thalia Kelsey
Joanne Laurenti
Katherine Merriam
Arlita W. Hallam, ,ex-officio
Guests:
Carolyn Moore, CPLS staff
Shirley M. Hunt, GCPL Foundation
Chairman David Berry called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Berry
commended the Board for the manner in which the September Board meeting proceeded.
Dr. Berry distributed a letter from Dr. Hallam, Library Director~ thanking the
Board for their welcome at the receptions held in October. Dr. Hallam made a
few brief remarks to the Board.
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In discussion of the minutes of the September Board meeting, ~rr. Dunn asked
that the minutes be amended on page 2, paragraph 3, to reflect that no other Board
members read the books discussed in Mr. Waddell's complaint. The majority of the
Board did not agree with Mr. Dunn that this was a function of the Board. Mr. Dunn
moved to accept the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Hr. Bacon and
approved unanimously. Motion carries.
Dr. Berry discussed the procedures for processing complaints as outlined
in the Clearwater Public Library System's Materials Selection Policy, specifically
section B., 3.. c., and questioned whether this action had been taken. Mrs. Moore
confirmed that the process had been cOlnpleted and copies of the letter will be
sent to the Board.
Dr. Berry reported that a letter has been sent to Major Rita Garvey concerning
the Board's recommendation to the City Commission for commendation of the four
Managing Directors as voted on at last month's meeting.
Dr. Berry asked Mrs. Moore to provide briefing on the selection of library
materials. Mrs. Moore presented six factors in the decision-making process of
materials selection.
After Mrs. Moore's presentation. Dr. Berry reviewed Commissioner Deegan's
questions to the Board, specifically:
1) Could the Library Board, which in theory represents collectively,
the standards of our community. 'offer some ad~ice as to a satisfactory
resolution of what this case calls to our attention?
2) Could the Lib~ary Board be useful to the Library stuff in choosing
from among the books it could order so that a balanced presentation
of all information about sex could be made?
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Clearwater Public Library Board
~linutcs of the Meeting October 16, 1992
Page 2
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,Following discussion, the Board unanimously agreed that the Library Board
should not be involved in the materials selection process which is a tremendously
complicated matter requiring professionally trained librarians with special
expertise in complicated areas. The Board suggested a letter to Commissioner
Deegan indicating the Board's unanimous support of the Library's Materials
Selection Policy. ,Mr. Dunn moved that the Board does not believe it should
be involved in the materials selection process, and the Board supports the
policies as set forth in the statement on Intellectual Freedom and Censorship,
and supports the present process for handling complaints. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Bacon and approved unanimously. Motion carries.
Hr. Dunn questioned how much of the materials inventory is missing.
Dr. Hallam reported that the new Galaxy system will enable staff to determine
this information after January 1, 1992. Library cards will expire on January I
and new plastic cards will be issued for a three year period.
Dr. Hallam reported a 7% increase in the total Library Operating Budget
for FY 1992/93 to $3,128,440. The materials budget increased 11%. Circulation
for FY 1991/92 was 936,265 in the following percentages:
35% Main 4% Beach
34% East 2% North Greenwood
25% Countryside
Hr. Bacon asked that the overlap of evening hours open at the East and
"'k\ Countryside libraries be discussed at next month' s Board meeting.
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Mr. Bacon also remarked that he has received complaints about the appearance
of the grounds behind the Countryside Library (burned grass, sprinklers needed). .
Comments were also made about the berms at the East Library and obstructed view
by bushes at East. Dr. Hallam will discuss these problems with City Nursery staff
and report back to the Board.
Mr. Hunt reminded the Board of the Cognoscenti Auction on Nov. 5, 1992, 6:30 p.m.
'Dr. Berry reported that he will make an appointment of a Friends of the Library
liaison in place of Mr. Hutchens who resigned.
Dr. Berry reminded the Board of the Friends' Fall Luncheon on Nov. 14 at
the Countryside Country Club with guest speaker Roger Bansemer.
The mext meeting will be November 20 with discussion of the Long Range Plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
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