11/15/1996 (2)
.' I. ' -l .;,.' ~~ t:, _: < ',<', __;""' " '.' ~,' : ~., :. .' . l " . . \ . '.. . .... +, \
, t'
I ',,'. . '
, , .
" ~. . ,
,~ . .' .c' . ,. ..C.'. ,
"~"'.'''., ~",".'.'~l. .....,....~'l~.'lII..I-cf,......' .' "P ~c...I_.~_.<.. .."
. . .'1.' .
LIBRARY
. ADVISORY
BOARD
I
MINUTES
Date
, ,
. ,
\~ CJ~
\.
" -.'., , ' ,,>,~,\",": '.'. ': '.'.':,\:, ',' ',',' ",. ",":,.":,','....:,.,.,,, .~!...., "\ ...'." ~"",., '..,:
, , . ., r..". 1." ,[ _. ' .
~. ';" ','.," ..: ",:..'11' ,\.."" Ll"M.~.__:..~;,'J _.....:.......,..:....,...,.,. "...":, . '.' ' " . '. . '. .,.;: ','.: ~ :.:.:..: ,I.' ,.". ," '........ ",' ( " '. ~. .
: '. \,
; cCf'
f~
~
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 16, 1996
Present:
Wilbert Bacon
Thalia Kelsey
Joanne Laurenti
Estelle Dunn
William Raffaniello
Pam ala LeClair
David Waddell
Marshall Bennett
Edward Nichols
Tom Leavy
Judy Melges
Dr. Arlita Hallam
Brenda Moses
Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Library Director
Board Reporter
Absent:
Christine Morris
Member
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at 9:00 a.m. at the Main
Library, Adler Room, 100 North Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. In order to
provide continuity for research, the Items will be listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
....~
I"Cl.~1
.,'
1.
Welcome New Board Member. Judy Melges
Chair Bacon welcomed new Board member Judy Melges, whose background
is in education. She is from the beach area.
2. Approval of Minutes
Joanne Laurenti moved to approve the minutes of October 18, 1996 as
sUbmitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3. Request for Revision of Video Polley - Pam Wyatt
d
Mrs. Pam Wyatt addressed the Board regarding the Clearwater Library
System's current video polley. She noted she has always been happy with the
Clearwater Library System, and library staff have always been helpful and
courteous. , She has called other libraries across the country and found that the
Indianapolis Marion County Library spent 6 months canvassing other entities to
implement a new library policy. She presented suggested signs which she felt
should be displayed throughout the Clearwater Library System. In her opinion, the
wording on library applications implies a financial obligation rather than a parental
screening obligation. Mrs. Wyatt contended this is not a parent/child issue if
parents are unaware of the Clearwater library System's policies. Dr. Hallam noted
that the issue in Marion County was different than Clearwater's. It involved the
separation of juvenile and adult videos, which the Clearwater library already does.
mLlB11.96
1
11/15/96
. -.~ ............ ~.,....,...~ ,.c,....)\...~~. 'c""h... ' I ,. '.':
..~..' l~~.,.:r. .....f\u..~U:;:..
~.I. ::. "j }',' .', j/,,' .".r ".....: ,.:..~,.''',~.~.,.,.;~,~'.......~,....~,...:. 4,.,~ II ,'., ii, " ~ .~.' J',.~.. . ,'::.' ~.': .' ". "'1"
( ;.
I~
Friends of Mrs. Wyatt expressed their opinions of library policies and a
remark was made that it takes an entire village to raise a child.
Mrs. Shirley Kennedy, a citizen, indicated she was against censorship. She
felt it was inappropriate to expect library staff to be responsible for judging the
maturity level of others' children.
Member Waddell complained about materials in the library and indicat~d he
would resign from the Board, but in response to a question stated he would reserve
his decision until after the meeting. He accused Dr. Hallam of lying about the
number of complaints received in the library and said he would not adhere to the
Board's rules. Chair Bacon noted the Board had addressed all of Mr. Waddell's
complaints in his censorship challenge of 1992.
In response to Mr. Waddell's comments, Mrs. Wyatt stated she has no
problem with library materials and that is not the issue. She was unable to locate
library policy relating to the video issue and requested the library bring these policies
to parents' attention. She suggested three changes: 1) posting signage throughout
the library system to include "video" or "media material" and "parental discretion
advised"; 2) stamping juvenile's library cards with a "jv" code; and 3) adding
"video" on library application cards. A member clarified that library policy L7 states:
"Responsibility for all children using the library rests with the parent, guardian or
assigned chaperone, and not the library personnel." It was noted at the March 1 6,
.~~~ 1 996 meeting the material selection policy was approved by the Library Board and
.;.r,(I/ the City Manager. At the last Board meeting, members voted to accept wording for
sign age throughout the library and on library application cards to read "Library
cardholders have unrestricted access to all library materials". Member Laurenti
moved to retain the current library policy. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4. Library Director' s Report
a. Slide Presentation of New Library Buildings
In the interest of time, the slide presentation was postponed.
b. Trip to Tallahassee - 1/17/97
The Library Board is scheduled to tour the Leon County Library on January
17, 1997. Plans are to meet at 6:00 a.m. at the Main Library. The scheduled
return time is 7:00 p.m. This topic will be further discussed at the December
meeting.
c. Update on Revision of Code of Conduct Discussion
~
(j
There has been discussion about customers in other libraries pulling
information from the Internet and harassing other customers with the material. The
City Attorney's office reviewed current policy and recommended one change to Rule
4 of the Clearwater Public Library's Code"of Conduct. It was suggested adding
mLlB11.96
2
11/1 6196
. . . ., , ,,'.. . l' , '~ : . , ,,:. ~'.', j... . .. ~ 4 ,\! ',:: " '.,:,' ,'.' . ..' '" I I'" '.:' . .: , ' ~ ' . I , . . , .
\ . ~, ,", .
. ,I :
'::';>".:',:
~ > , '"
. ~, " ' ,
~
"and staff" to Rule 4 of the code. Member Leavy moved to add "and staff" to the
code. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Dr. Hallam noted
the motion is a recommendation for revision since it requires the City Manager's
approval.
5. Reports: Foundation. Friends. Cooperative
Mr. Shirley Hunt noted tonight the Clearwater Women's Club is hosting a
benefit for the Foundation at the East Library. On November 18, 1996 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Youth Division a reception is scheduled to thank the Clearwater Women's
Club for all their support. On November 18, 1996 at 6:30 p.m. the Wickman event
will be held at the Beach Library. The Cognoscenti Auction is scheduled for
President's Day on February 17, 1997.
The Friends of the Clearwater Library has a luncheon at Cove Cay Country
Club November 16, 1 996. Mike Foley is the guest speaker.
At the last Cooperative meeting, discussion ensued regarding a way to make
the East lake High School Library a branch of the Palm Harbor Library. Details will
need to be determined prior to any decisions.
6. ' Board Comments
o
It was noted Betty Wickman Perkins donated the Wickman boating and
sailing collection. Even those who knew nothing about boating or sailing have found
the Wickman Programs interesting. A large crowd is anticipated.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
The next Library Advisory Board is scheduled for December 20, 1996 at the
Main Library, Adler Room, 100 North Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, Florida.
CudA",r/b ~~
Chair
Attest:
~b h1C/J(LJ
Board Reporter ,
1C'
~
,.
mLlB11.96
3
11/15/96
~...~~~.....~""....~.r
~T'''.~_~'~.%'C'''''''''';''h.~<<J,~'}~~, 'L' l t.. <.r;.\..,!'~~;~,;, .
. ~ ...
J. ,~". .;....... ~ .
\ .
.....'.,""-.. . .....:, H .. ... .~:'.:".,:,': . ',' '. : ,", .., ""
" ' , . ' ..",' ,I ,r. '" \" I " , I . , ,.