Library Advisory Board Minutes - 05/27/2003LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
May 27, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrea Williams, Vice Chair
Gracie Gregg
Patsy Klein
Ruth Jones
James Brackett
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, City Council Liaison
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
By - R�Time g01
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. James Semoe
Irene Lambert
Dr. James Snowden, Chair
Shirley Harris
Ms. Andrea Williams called the meeting to order at 4:20 P.M. A quorum was not yet present so
approval of the minutes was deferred.
Ms. Williams called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian' s Report. Ms. Hughes said that an eight -
hour hearing was held on HB 1635 during which librarians from across the state testified about the
importance of libraries to education and the importance of Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund grants to
libraries. The Regulated Industries Committee agreed to amend the bill to include libraries as eligible for
grant funds. Ms. Hughes said that the staff was concerned about the proposed further cuts in school library
services in the next school year and was planning for continuing increase in demand for curriculum support
materials and reference service. The mission of the public library is to serve the community as a whole.
Ms. Hughes felt that the library couldn' t invest a major share of its budget and staff time on support of just
one facet of the community, when responsibility for that portion actually belonged to a separate taxing
entity. Ms. Hughes reported that the summer reading clubs begin June 2 °d. A few area merchants have
generously donated prizes for all participants, and the Friends of the Library have donated prizes for the
adult club.
Ms. Hughes presented the Library' s budget proposal for fiscal year 2003 -04. Board Members
reviewed the proposal and requested clarifications on the decreases in some line items. Ms. Hughes
provided a written explication of each line item change proposed. Ms. Hughes said the next step is the
review of the proposed budget by Assistant City Manager Matt Benoit who is the Department Head for the
Library.
The arrival of James Brackett completed a quorum. Ms. Williams returned to the approval of the
minutes agenda item. The minutes of the March 25, 2003 meeting were approved as submitted. A note was
to be included in the May minutes that the April 22, 2003 meeting was cancelled due to advance notice of
no quorum.
Ms. Gregg presented the Friends of the Library report. The Friends recently purchased an upgrade
for the Pharos time management software that integrates all of the public Internet access computers with the
Horizon cardholder database. This allows the Library to promote fair use of the Internet by assigning
terminals for users and limiting access to one hour per day. Access is denied to those with overdue
materials, fines in excess of $5, and those who have not signed Internet access agreements. Juveniles whose
parent or guardian has not signed an agreement allowing the child access are also locked out. Visitors to
the City may request a guest pass, which allows them 30 minutes of Internet access. The Internet computers
do not maintain a use log, all transactions are wiped clean each day to protect user privacy.
Ms Hughes thanked Board Member James Brackett for his six years of dedication and service to
the Library Board. He has been a very proactive member, appearing before Council in support of Library
issues.
Ms Williams reminded the members that it has been tradition for the Library Advisory Board to
recess for the summer due to the difficulty of obtaining a quorum during peak vacation months. After
discussion, the Board voted to recess until September 23, 2003. Ms. Williams adjourned the meeting at
5:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
1 ! �
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator