DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 13, 2002
Members Present:
Theodore Flynn (Chair), John Hill, Lynne Walsh, Carl Meier, Margaret Lougee and Nancy Delano
Staff Present:
Elaine Winquist (Director), David Murphy (Assistant Director), Nancy Denman (Assistant Director), James Jaquette (Assistant Director), Deborah Killory (Administrative Assistant)
The meeting was convened at 7:40 am in the Setter Room at the Duxbury Free Library and went into executive session at 7:41 am. The meeting was roll called out of executive session at 8:27 am and the regular session was called to order at 8:30 am.
Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the January 29, 2002 meeting were presented.
Moved by Mr. Meier, seconded by Mr. Hill, to accept the minutes of the January 29, 2002 meeting as presented.
Vote: 6 – 0 in favor
Chairman’s report
Mr. Flynn acknowledged the Friends’ gift to the library of a free standing book drop. He asked that a letter be sent thanking the Friends for their donation. At the January 29 meeting the campus traffic pattern was discussed. The letter to the Highway Safety Committee that was drafted in response to that discussion was circulated and will be sent out. Mr. Flynn asked for an update on the status of tuition reimbursement. Ms. Killory reported that she had submitted paper work for reimbursement through the personnel plan for her fall and winter courses; she had received payment for the fall course and had been informed that reimbursement for the winter course has been approved and will be included with her next paycheck. After that is received, she will
submit for tuition reimbursement under the trustees Professional Development Policy for her fall course.
Director’s report
Ms. Winquist reported that the library was well represented in the spelling bee, with four teams connected to the library (staff, pages, YA Digital Doritos, and the DFL writers group) participating. The No Place for Hate kick off program was well attended and the first program in the Islamic series had a capacity crowd and the director received thanks from all who attended. The next program in the series, the film “On Orientalism”, is scheduled for February 27.
Ms. Walsh asked about the circulation area changes discussed in the Director’s report. Ms. Winquist said that Patience Jackson of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners had made several suggestions for short-term fixes including moving deliveries of the transit holds and mail to the service entrance of the building; removing mailboxes from the circ office; adding shelving for holds; and moving the handicapped counter to provide more space behind the desk. Long-term changes will be discussed as well.
Ms. Winquist then noted that Java Express has requested a change in hours; they will be closed on Saturdays and extended their Friday hours to 9:00 to 4:00. On several occasions the café has opened late or closed early and because of illness, it has been closed on two occasions. Ms. Winquist is concerned that many patrons see the café as part of the library and that the unreliability of hours will reflect on the library. The Road to Responsibility has not yet been involved but should help in the future with afternoon staffing problems.
Departmental reports
Reports of the Children’s, Circulation, Reference and Technical Services Departments were distributed.
Internet policy/CIPA
The American Library Association is challenging the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires that libraries use internet filters and establish an internet safety policy in order to qualify for E-rate discounts for internet connections or LSTA grants when the funds are being used to purchase computers that will provide Internet access or for Internet access itself. The Duxbury Free Library does not have to meet the requirements because OCLN is not using E-rates, as there is not enough money saved through the rates to cover the cost of filters in twenty-six libraries. The Massachusetts Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee will be hosting a meeting on this issue on March 27; Ms. Denman will attend as the MLA Youth Services Representative.
In spite of the fact that the DFL is not required to meet the CIPA standards, Ms. Winquist suggested that the trustees may want to engage in the process and hold an open meeting on an Internet Safety Policy. Although there is no requirement that a separate meeting be held, it is suggested that the fact that CIPA will be discussed at a regular trustees meeting be advertised and that documentation of the notice and of the minutes be kept.
Mr. Meier suggested that the Internet Use Policy recently adopted by the library be matched against the five requirements for an internet safety policy and the existing policy be revised as needed to meet the requirements. He also suggested that the trustees clarify the differences between school and public libraries, noting that schools act in loco parentis and what is appropriate for the schools may not be appropriate for a public library. The issue will be put on the next agenda for further discussion.
Library budget
There have been no further changes in the budget and none are expected. The trustees will call an additional meeting if further cuts are necessary. Ms. Winquist indicated that there may be money available in the personnel budget for the current fiscal year that could be transferred to help meet any shortfalls in the operating budget. She must decide soon whether this will be needed.
By-Laws of Duxbury Free Library
The existing By-Laws of Duxbury Free Library were reviewed at the last meeting.
Moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Ms. Walsh, to approve the By-Laws of the Duxbury Free Library as they currently stand.
Vote: 6 – 0 in favor
Mr. Jaquette told the trustees that he is preparing a revision to the library web site that includes a trustees’ page. He asked if telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for the trustees could be included and was told that he could included them.
Moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Ms. Walsh, to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 am.
Vote: 6 – 0 in favor
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