HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-12 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting
Fayetteville Public Library
September 12, 1988
Present: Board Members Dorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Foster Park, Carol
Phillips; Library Director Linda Harrison; Ozarks Regional
Library Director Karen Duree
President Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The minutes
for the special August 13 meeting were approved as circulated.
Library Director Harrison commented briefly on the Statistical Report for
August, noting that adult circulation for the month was down a bit from
that of 1987. She further noted that the unusually large expenditure under
Audio -Visuals on the Financial Report was for phone«fiche for telephone
books, a considerable savings over buying the books themselves. The Library
will continue to obtain some actual books still, including Tulsa and Little
Rock and Arkansas books not available on microfiche.
Director Harrison further noted the very successful summer children's
programs, with about 650 children present, the most ever. Children's book
circulation has also been high. The mural in the Children's Library is now
complete. Staff discussions are proceeding about planned programs for
children not in public schools, being taught at home, with the Library one
of their chief resources of information.
It was further announced that a genealogy workshop will be held at the
Library on Saturday, September 17, led by Mrs. Keith and Mrs. Lois Miller.
Publicity will continue this week.
The Arkansas Library Association will meet: the end of October in Little
Rock. Director Harrison requested authorization for four staff members to
attend this year since money is available in the budget for that purpose.
There was no objection to the request, and it was so authorized.
The annual fall Library closing and staff workshop was a big success. Full
staff participation in meetings was especially helpful. One question of
Library policy regarding damaged books by patrons was raised for Board
consideration. After some discussion the Board confirmed the policy of long
standing not to allow the patron to take the damaged item even though it
was fully paid for. A motion by Carol Phillips, seconded by Dorothy Bowen,
to reaffirm the past policy was passed unanimously.
During the stsff workshop week reference staff had time to familiarize
themselves with the new- computer before public access begins. The week also
allowed most of the shelf reading to be completed.
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There followed a discussion of plans for proceeding with addition/computer
procurement for the Library, focused on the specifications drawn up by the
Library Director, particularly the need for allowing time and resources for
staff training. A motion by Dorothy Bowen, seconded by Carol Phillips, that
the Board authorize Director Harrison to proceed with the necessary bid
process was passed unanimously.
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Meeting of September 12, 1988
In a discussion of regulationsfor the Fayetteville Rotary Club gift IBM
computer --regulations drawn up by Director Harrison with staff consul-
tations --a motion by Foster Park, seconded by Dorothy Bowen, to affirm
the formulated regulations was passed unanimously, despite recognition
that with actual use some changes may be necessary. Mrs. Donovan is
coordinating publicity about the new computer, including a recognition
of the generosity of the Fayetteville Rotary Club. Staff is now prepared
to help with public use.
Bobbye Hay reported on the efforts to secure the Pediatric Building for
needed Library expansion. The City Engineer has inspected the property
and has indicated general approval, contingent on specific proposals for
library use of the additional space. President Hay asked the Building
Committee, Dorothy Bowen, Chairman, to consider potential uses and
submit a report as expeditiously as possible. There will probably be a
sales tax extension proposal on the November ballot that hopefully will
include Library expansion funding.
Under hew business the Board recognized several visitors present (Tony
Bridges, Taunya McLarty, Tom McLarty, Pamela D. Joseph) representing the
Society for American Liberties who had submitted formal requests for a
reconsideration of circulation of three paperbacks (gifts --books not
purchased with Library funds) by author Tabor Evans. The speakers
particularly objected to such books being available to children, asserting
that the books contained obscene or pornographic portions and were con-
descending to women. The visitors conceded that no judicial decision had
so identified the books as obscene or pornographic. The Board agreed to
read the designated books and to rendez a decision within the prescribed
time limit for such requests. The books will be removed from the shelves
during this period of deliberation. The visitors withdrew from the Board.
meeting at 5:15.
On the motion of Carol Phillips, with a second by Foster Park„Dorothy
Bowen was unanimously elected to the Budget Committee. There followed a
discussion of the proposed 1989 Library budget prepared by Director
Harrison, which includes a request for funds for the purchase and
remodeling of the Pediatric Building. A motion by Carol Phillips, seconded
by Foster Park, to accept the proposed budget was passed unanimously.
It was agreed that there will be an executive session of the Board at a
special meeting on Monday, September 26, 4:00 p.m., to conduct the annual
evaluation of the Library Director.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:145 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Foster Park, Secretary
