HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-11-09 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting
Fayetteville Public Library
November 9, 1987, 4:00 p.m.
Present: Board Members Bobbye Hay, Foster Park, Carol Phillips; Library Director
Linda Harrison; Ozarks Regional Director Karen Duree
President Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The minutes for
the October 12 meeting were approved as mailed.
Library Director Harrison circulated and discussed the Statistical and Financial
reports for October, noting that with the Library closed for asbestos removal for
much of the month statistical comparisons are not really meaningful. She further
noted that the Fayetteville City Board is not receptive to providing additional
funds at this point in the fiscal year for elevator replacement or repair. But on
a more positive note a new estimate for repair from Montgomery Elevator promises
considerably less diversion of funds from the 1987 Library budget. Additional
information about possible repairs should be available tomorrow (November 10). A
motion by Carol Phillips, seconded by Foster Park, to allow -the Library Director
to proceed with elevator repair (in accordance with approval from the city engineer)
up to a total of $5000 was passed unanimously. The budget lines for 1987 will be
adjusted as needed.
In new business, copies of a policy already adopted by the Ozarks Regional Library
Board "Procedure for Reconsideration of Library Materials" were distributed for
Fayetteville Board consideration, under the expectation that problems of patron
criticisms of book selection may well arise later. Copies will be mailed to absent
Board members, and further consideration will be given at some future Board meeting.
A suggestion by a Library staff member to allow background music in the Library was
discussed, with recognition that objections would surely come from patrons and
possibly other staff members. Further consideration of this suggestion was postponed
until the December Board meeting.
President Hay circulated a recent letter about the problems of smoking in the Library
from Dr. Richard Back, President of the Fayetteville Chapter of Arkansans for Non -
Smokers Rights. A general discussion of the various issues followed. The Library
Director reported that there have been no complaints thus far from non-smoking
staff members about staff smoking in the break room and other designated offices
and areas where smoking is allowed. President Hay volunteered to investigate present
overall city policy; President Hay and Secretary Park will draft a reply to Dr. Back,
promising further consideration of his request.
Director Harrison reported that she has not heard further from members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints about possible help for the genealogy section
of the Library (see minutes for October 12, 1987).
President Hay reported in some detail on the recent Arkansas library Association
meeting in Fayetteville. In the Freedom of Information group meeting she noted many
questions raised about problems but with few clear-cut answers. Book choices to
meet diverse patron needs and wishes are obviously not easy. Pat Murphy spoke at
the Trustees meeting on the responsibilities of board members; few trustees around
the state apparently belong to the ALA. President Hay suggested that our Board
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Meeting for November 9, 1987 (continued)
should perhaps pay ALA dues at least for the Library Director. Other information
of importance included: there is now the encouragement that all library directors
at the county level hold the MIS degree; one-third of the counties in Arkansas
have now restored the full one mill tax for library support; Arkansas is the last
state on the national scale in local support of libraries; there is continued
need for Board members to lobby for increased state appropriation funding; there
is particular need for more support for the State Library, with its severely
reduced book/materials budgets for this year. Director Harrison reported that
several Fayetteville Library staff attended meetings and responded enthusiastically
to the inspirational and practical values of such state-wide gatherings.
At this point (5:05 p.m.) Ozarks Regional Director Duree left the meeting and the
Board turned to threeepersonnel matters. First, Director Harrison reported that
job assignments during the October closing were completed satisfactorily, although
some scheduled planning (e.g., Christmas programs in the Children's Library) had
to be delayed. Second, Director Harrison reported that the recent decision by the
Equal Opportunity Commission (in favor of the Library in the sex discrimination
charges brought by a former employee --see minutes for September 21) has been
answered by the complaintant with a request for a review of that decision. There
is no need for Board action at this time.
Third, Director Harrison regretfully noted the recent resignation of the Children's
librarian, Logan Goodwin, at least partly as the result of differences with another
staff member* under his direction. Several attempts in the past by the Library
Director to resolve the differences have apparently not been fully successful, and
Mr. Logan has decided to resign. The Board authorized the advertising of the
position, to secure a new Children's Librarian, and informally agreed with the
Director's disciplinary action in regard to the remaining staff member for her role
in the difficulties during the summer and fall.
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Foster Park, Secretary