Minutes
– Board of Trustees meeting
Wednesday
January 24, 2007
Present:
Curt Fewkes, Terry Obteshka (Council), Joanne Shamey (guest), Cindy McConnell,
Richard Kilbride, Carol Fisher, Carol Ruggeri, Wyma Rogers, Kay Eldon
(recording secretary)
Carol
Ruggeri called the meeting to order at 5:20.
Terry
Obteshka introduced himself as the new Council liaison and told the Board a
little about himself: he owns a local business (Victorian Bed & Breakfast
in
Joanne
Shamey introduced herself as a regular library patron and local Special Ed.
teacher.
Carol
Fisher moved to accept the minutes from the last Board meeting, Richard
seconded.
Wyma
gave the Librarian’s report. She explained that the minutes from Library
Board meetings would be posted on the library’s web site, once they have been
approved. This is instead of posting them on the City’s web site.
Wyma then explained about going to
Joanne
Shamey explained to the Board that she has had a couple of experiences with
disruptive behavior in the library, and she wanted to share them with the
Board. The first incident occurred about a year and a half ago, at which
time she had approached a staff member who told her that libraries are noisier
than they used to be. Joanne accepted that as a valid explanation.
The more recent incident happened in mid December when Joanne came to the
library to use materials that could not be checked out. Another patron
was talking very loudly on his cell phone, so Joanne moved as far away from him
as possible. But his talking still interfered with her concentration, so
she confronted the man and asked him to lower his voice. He said he was
talking loudly because a group of teens behind him were talking loudly.
Joanne asked to meet with the Library Director and a couple of days later she
talked with Wyma. Wyma invited Joanne to come to the next Board meeting.
The
Board then discussed cell phone use in the library. Initially Curt
suggested a “No Cell Phone” addition to the policy would be best. But
Wyma pointed out that disruptive behavior involving cell phones falls under the
current prohibition against disruptive behavior in our posted “Library Conduct”
rules.
Richard
suggested that cell phones be allowed only outside the library building, then
brought up the idea of having a designated “Cell Phone Area” in the lobby.
The Board agreed that this was a friendlier approach.
Joanne
explained that teachers spend a lot of time in school teaching young people
about acceptable social behavior. Cindy agreed and said most young people
follow rules when they know what the rules are. She suggested that for
now library staff should be extra vigilant about patrons who are disruptive and
letting them know that disruptive behavior is not permitted in the library,
whether it involves cell phones or not.
Kay
said the most disruptive behavior happens around the computers after school
gets out and Curt suggested that when the library starts planning for further
expansion a separate room for teens’ computers would be a great idea.
Joanne
thanked the Board for listening to her and said she felt that her issues had
been addressed. The Board thanked Joanne for coming. Curt moved to
add ‘cell phone use’ to the “Library Conduct” list, and to designate areas
“Cell Phone Area”. Carol seconded the motion. Wyma will check with
the City Attorney and email the Board about final wording.
Wyma
said that this past November the library opened the day after Thanksgiving as
an experiment. Kay verified that business at the library was brisk, even
though there hadn’t been any advertising. The Board agreed to open again
this year as a continuing experiment.
Wyma
then went over the article from the Oregonian about the loss of materials from
Multnomah County Library System (see attached). Wyma said loss from Newport
Public Library is about 3% per year, have of which is stolen and half is
checked out and never returned. She says that this is average.
Curt
asked on behalf of a library patron if our wireless output could be
boosted. Wyma said she would check with the City.
Meeting
was adjourned at 6:50.