Lawrence Public Library Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
Board Members Present: Jill Fincher, Ron Hurst, Terry Leibold, John Nalbandian, Craig Penzler, and Jeff Shmalberg
Staff Present: Bruce Flanders, Louise Hanson, Tricia Karlin, Joyce Steiner and Sherri Turner
Guests Present: Doug Heacock of KanREN, Hans Fischer of the Kansas Library Trustees Association, Mary Michener of the League of Women Voters, and
Megan Schoeck the Friends of the Library.
Craig called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.
There were no public comments.
The minutes of the May 16, 2004 Library Board meeting were reviewed. Jeff moved to approve the minutes. Ron seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
The May staff meeting minutes were reviewed.
Financial and Statistical Report: Bruce reviewed the financial and statistical report. Bruce acknowledged the generous donation from the Friends. Their contribution funds a Coordinator position for the Friends and helps to fund a janitorial position. Notably, Friends’ contributions provided substantial funding for the summer reading program. Bruce also highlighted the continued increase in circulation statistics. Circulation has increased annually for the past five years.
Fire Detection and Alarm Inspection: Bruce reported that the Lawrence Fire Department recently inspected the Library’s alarm system and fire detection system.
Carnegie Building: Bruce met with Ron Hurst and the Langston Hughes Center Committee regarding the developing literacy program. Bruce shared information with the group about other literacy programs that are in existence in the community so that the Center may coordinate services. Bruce also presented information about computer literacy programs and the Library’s future role in this area. Mayor Rundle has indicated to Bruce that the Langston Hughes Center is intended to expand upon services that already exist in the community, rather than to provide a duplication of services.
KanREN: Bruce presented Doug Heacock, Executive Director of KanREN, who provided an educational overview to Board members regarding the history and purpose of KanREN. Of special note, KanREN provides the Library with a number of databases, as well as video conferencing ability, and KanGuard, an Internet site blocking system currently utilized by the Library.
Foundation Update: Bruce reported that the Foundation is requesting that area artists submit design ideas for a donor recognition system to be displayed in the Library. The artists will be asked to submit ideas that will be flexible enough to move to a new building upon the possible expansion of the Library and also be expandable for the addition of future donor names. Bruce noted that the Board will be involved in the approval process when choosing a donor recognition system. John suggested that the Foundation investigate the “2% for Art” public funding for the display.
Read Across Lawrence: Bruce noted that the 2005 Read Across Lawrence theme is tentatively set as Native American literature in order to coordinate with Bert Nash Center’s Summit III, also scheduled to occur in early 2005.
Staffing Changes: Bruce announced that Mary Lynn Stuart will move to the Circulation Department, and noted her receptive telephone voice as an asset to that department.
Project Update: Bruce noted that the goal for July will be to revisit and possibly resolve ongoing issues such as a PATRIOT Act brochure, the location of adult fiction, the implementation of a print/session management system, and Capital Improvement Fund expenditures.
NEKLS Workshops: Bruce announced that there will be Trustee Workshops on the following dates and that Board members are encouraged to attend:
July 13 – Winchester
July 14 – Centralia
July 20 – Basehor
July 21 – Lyndon
Library Board Advocacy: Hans Fischer spoke to the Board about the importance of Board action when lobbying for local and state funding. This discussion was pertinent due to the pending 2005 Library budget request before the City Commission. Mr. Fischer urged Board members to support the directives given to the Director by lobbying for requested funding and to keep a continuing communication with local and state public officials on behalf of the Library.
Internet Access Policy: Bruce introduced the topic of revising the Internet Access Policy to meet the requirements of compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). This Board meeting serves as the public hearing for this topic, in accordance with CIPA requirements, and has been advertised as such through a notice in the display case in the Library lobby and on the home page of the Library website.
Bruce described the history of CIPA, its implications for the Library, and pointed out that the Library already uses a technology protection measure (the KanGuard filtering service hosted by KanREN). Compliance with CIPA would require the Library to adopt a revised Internet access policy, and disable the filtering upon patron request.
In discussing the possible adoption of a new Internet policy, the Board recalled the decision process that led to its current system, and acknowledged that the Library currently has an effective system in place.
A formal consensus was not reached, but various members of the Board acknowledged that the current implementation of the KanGuard filtering system provides a superior and accurate system that it wished to keep in place. The consideration of a revised Internet access policy was tabled with no vote, as it was deemed not to be necessary at this time.
Jeff moved to approve the bills in the amount of $71,989.08. John seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Fincher
Approved _________________________________________________
Date
Secretary _________________________________________________
Jill Fincher
Chair _____________________________________________________
Craig Penzler
Director ___________________________________________________
Bruce Flanders
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, Kansas
Monday, July 19, 2004
at 4:30 p.m.
in the Library Board Room
Call to order
Public comments
Minutes of the June board meeting and staff meeting
Librarian’s report
1 – financial/statistical report
2 - library programs, events, exhibits and displays
3 – staffing changes
4 – flagpole illumination project
5 –
Ongoing business
1 – New Directions progress update
2 - 2005 budget request
3 – PATRIOT Act brochure
4 – adult fiction collection relocation project
5 – print/session management system
6 -
New business
1 – Capital Improvement Fund expenditures
2 –
Discussion of bills
Adjournment
“The mission of the Lawrence Public Library is to provide and promote
informational, intellectual, and cultural resources for our community.”