Newport Library Board

   Meeting Minutes

         Wednesday May 16, 2007

 

Present: Wyma Rogers, Cindy McConnell, Richard Kilbride, Terry Obteshka, Carol Ruggeri, Curt Fewkes, Kay Eldon (recording secretary)

 

Carol Ruggeri was late, so Cindy called the meeting to order at 5:25.  The Board looked over the minutes from the last meeting and made a correction about the flyer going out with the July PUD bills.  The flyer is the Foundation’s “Wish List”, NOT the announcement about the “No Gala Gala”.  Richard moved to accept the minutes as amended, Cindy seconded.

 

Minutes from the Library Board Special Hearing were discussed.  Wyma made a few wording changes and noted that all participants in the hearing will receive a copy of the minutes.  Richard moved to accept the minutes as amended, Cindy seconded.

 

Wyma went over a few highlights from her Librarian’s report.  She mentioned the display of Altered Books in the library’s display case, the upcoming Teen Night event with henna tattooing, and the Art Deco book collection.  She also let the Board know that the downloadable books won’t be available until August.  Wyma pointed out the statistics were up for the month of April and thought a lot of the increase came from the “Newport Reads” programs.

 

Board members then discussed changes in the Library Policy, which Wyma noted had been recommended by Gary Firestone, City Attorney.  Section 5.8 was changed to read “The Library wants to encourage reading, writing, and the appreciation of culture.  Books, recordings and writings may be sold within an hour after a library program.”  Cindy moved to pass the change, Curt seconded.

 

The next policy change involved adding a ban on smoking on Library premises.  Terry suggested establishing a smoking area.  Wyma said it would create too much litter and it would be hard to keep people in one area.  There was a general discussion.  Wyma had provided a copy of the No Smoking Ordinance that will go before the City Council, but she reminded the Board that they only deal with Library policy.  Cindy moved to accept the policy to prohibit smoking on Library premises, Curt seconded.  There was no further discussion.  Wyma said she would forward the Board’s recommendation to the Mayor that the City Ordinance be passed.

 

The last policy change that was discussed was the Suspension of Privileges and the enforcement.  Richard felt that the time limits of suspension should be longer, but generally the rest of the Board agreed with the newly written policy.  Carol moved to accept the new policy, Curt seconded and there was no more discussion.

 

Cindy adjourned the meeting at 6:10.