HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/27/97 Library Board MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BOARD
OF THE
CITY OF THE COLONY
MARCH 27, 1997
A REGULAR SESSION of the Library Board of the City of The Colony
Texas, was called to order by Chair Jayme Skelton at 7:08 p.m.
Present:
Diana Kruzich Place 2
James Althaus Place 3
Jayme Skelton Place 5
Wayne Bullard Place 6
Joan Sveinsson Library Director
Jacqie Waldrop-Eays Library Secretary
(Places 1, 4, and 7 are currently vacant)
1. citizen's Input.
None.
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of the board meeting
held January 23, 1997.
Minutes stand approved.
3. Discussion and consideration of proposed revisions to the
Meeting Room policy.
The Librarian staff recommended that the policy be revised to
allow reservations to be made up to 60 days in advance and to be
made by telephone with confirmation by mail. Member Althaus
suggested that a postmark deadline for the confirmation be
established. Member Bullard moved that the changes be implemented;
the motion was seconded by Member Althaus. The motion passed.
4. Discussion and consideration of proposed Internet Access
policy.
The Internet service will be implemented April 1, 1997.
Director Sveinsson handed out pamphlets from several libraries
regarding their Internet Access policies, which generally included
the functions that are or are not available, limitations,
assistance to patrons, responsibilities of the users, rules for
use, and disclaimers. Director Sveinsson presented a draft policy
for the Board's consideration. Concerns discussed included
protection of the equipment and software, responsibility for
supervision of children, and the impact of using filtering
software. The staff is implementing as many measures as possible
to protect the software and hardware. Whereas the policy places
responsibility for supervision of children's use with the parents,
the availability of two workstations enable the Library to provide
parents with a choice. Initially, one workstation will have a more
protected searching environment. Signage will inform parents of
this option. Use of filtering software has some liabilities, as
does not using it. The staff will need to evaluate patron
response and try to meet the needs of all patrons, while
maintaining an awareness of the response in public libraries
nation-wide. Privacy screens will be used to reduce the risk of
patrons being unwillingly exposed to what another patron is
viewing. The policy refers to Child Safety on the Information
Hiqhway_that is produce by the National Center for Missing and
Exploiting Children. A copy will be placed at the Reference desk;
50 free copies are on order. The Library will request reproduction
rights.
Member Althaus moved to approve the policy as presented; The
motion was seconded by Member Kruzich and passed unanimously.
3. Reports:
a. Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Representative's
Report:
Member Bullard stated that the plan has been forwarded to
the Planning and Zoning Commission; the Planning and Zoning
public hearing will be April 22, 1997. The plan will then
go to the City Council; Council will determine whether or
not there will be another public hearing. The Library was
not a major issue but was included. The main concerns for
the Library were the specification of State square footage
per capita standards. Staffing and technology concerns
were also noted. At this time, there is no funding in
place for a Capital Improvement Plan, which would be the
companion piece for implementing the Comprehensive Plan's
recommendations.
b. Chairman's Report:
Chair Skelton reported that she and Director Sveinsson
attended a presentation re: economic development sales tax.
The library would be a 4-B sales tax project. There is also
a 4-A sales tax and a property tax reduction that could
also be helpful to the City. The Economic Development
Corporation administers the programs.
c. NTRLS System Representative's Report:
Director Sveinsson stated that City Council will be
interviewing candidates for board appointments on Monday.
At least two candidates have requested the Library Board;
one candidate did not specify a particular board.
d. Library Director's Report:
1. The Library's new secretary is Jacqlyn Waldrop-Hays, her
nickname is Jacqie and her extension is 29.
2. Circulation Clerk Mary Loehr has accepted a circulation
clerk position in Flower Mound; her last day here will be
Saturday March 29, 1997. The full-time position and the
summer circulation clerk position will be advertised soon.
3. The Texas Library Association Annual Conference will be
in Ft. Worth, April 8-12. Director Sveinsson and Reference
Librarian Sapp will be attending the conference. The
Library will be closed on Thursday the 10th for In-Service
training to allow all the staff to attend. The Friends and
Trustee day is scheduled for Wednesday the 9th, if Board
members are interested in attending, contact Director
Sveinsson.
4. NTRLS Internet grant: all equipment is in place and
staff is preparing for April 1, 1997 implementation.
5. National Library week, April 13 - 19 celebrates "Kids
Connect @ the Library."
6. Circulation staff has begun purging inactive patron
records.
7. Work has begun on the public restrooms, placing new tile
panelling over the wallpaper.
8. The Library patio project is underway; the ground was
prepared, sand was added to level the ground, the paving
stones have been installed, the lattice is up and some
flowers have been planted. There is room to plant a few
more bushes or trees.
9. The Friends of the Library have a Bake sale at Wal-Mart
from 9:00am to 12:00 noon on Saturday March 29, 1997.
There will be drawings for several items; tickets may be
obtained for a 50 cent donation.
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
J~q~ Waldrop-~ays, S$cretary