Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-1978 Library Board MinutesUNGER MEMORIAL LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTLE March 6, 1978 The regularmeeting of the Unger Memorial Library Advisory Committee was called to order at:7:06 P.M., Monday, March 6, 1978, in the Librarian's Office by Mrs. Mervyn Igo, President. Present were, Ruby Curry, Susan LaFont, Malcolm Tisdel, David Willson, Lloyd Woods, and Judy Smith, Librarian. The minutes of the January 9, 1978, meeting were approved as presented. The Librarian's Reports for January and February were presented. Miss Smith also presented copies, of pages frm. the annual report which has been submitted to the Texas•State Library. Mr. Woods then brought up an article which appeared in the January 1978 issue of American Libraries and demanded to know why Miss Smith had been quoted as saying,"The city council has mentioned the possibility of cutting library funds if complaints about the library inventory do not stop." Miss Smith stated that during the course of her conversation with Sue Cherry, an associate editor of American Libraries, Ms. Cherry had asked what the ultimate conclusion would be if she refused to yield to the censorship efforts of the Association of W's. Miss Smith stated she said the Councilman indicated that they might be forced to cut funds if complaints did not stop. Miss Smith explained to Mr. Woods that she knew that no individual could commit the City Council and that he was not making threats from the Council. Mr. Woods categorically denied having made the statement which appeared in American Libraries. He stated that during the discussion of whether or not to limit access to Our Bodies, Ourselves and the three other books listed in Mrs. Martin's November letter, he had said. "...be careful that you dont putyour- self in a position where some Council will be forced to cut funds". He repeatedly asked Miss Smith why the quotation had appeared and if he had really said it. Miss Smith stated that she was under the impression that he meant that, in his opinion, funds would cease if action were not taken to stop book collection complaints. Mr. Tisdel stated thatiheon wawas undertthene im pression that the Librarian's job was in jeopardy if Committee members agreed that there were many implications in the heat e mdis- cussion on December 5. Miss Smith admitted that she was very gry t ht have misconstrued his words. Mr. Woods repeatedly asked Miss Smith about why she had said the Council threatened a cut in funding, and she reiterated that she had not said Council but Councilman. •He•then suggested that she demand a retraction from Ameri edan Libraries. When asked again if he had really made the statement, she "I believe you did." Mr. Woods asked why the statement, if he did indeed make it, had not appeared in the minutes of the December meeting. Miss Smith replied thatin shehee dided notof include it in the minutes c(:°-i,�e she did not th interest of the Library, the =tip' Council, or the community to have some of the statements made at that r_eetir appear in the local news media. Mr. Woods min- utes. thought that anything said 4t a Committee meeting UNGER MEMORIAL LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMI'ilEE Page 2 The Committee then went into Executive Session for ten(10) minutes. When Mr. Woods and Miss Smith returned to the meeting, the Committee thanked each for his contribution to the growth and development of the Library in the last few years. ,-Mr. Woods vas commended for his service, especially getting the - parking lot paved, and askedto remain as liaison from the City Council. Miss Smith was commended for her knowledge of library principles and procedures and for the progress the Library has made in the five years she has been Librarian. Mrs. Igo reminded Mr. Woods that American Libraries had contacted Miss Smith, not she they. The Committee asked that they settle their difference of opinion between themselves. Mr. Tisdel asked if it would be possible to get a reel-to-reel tape recorder to record future Committee meetings to avoid future misunderstandings. The Com- mittee agreed that this vas an excellent idea. The Committee then discussed the 1979 budget. They. -authorized Miss Smith to obtain tighter figures and write justifications for budget requests to be pre- sented at the April meeting. Miss Smith announced that the Friends of the Library annual meeting would be Monday, March 13 at 7 P.M. in the Library Conference Room. Dayton Kelley, Director of the Llano Estacado Museum will present the program. She also stated that the Friends Bard had authorized the purchase of twelve (12) addi- tional pieces of sculpture and were in the process of preparing information on each piece to be handed out as the piece circulates. The meeting was :•journed at 8:50 P.'M. Judy Smith, Secretary Unger Memorial Library Advisory Committee UNGER MEMORIAL LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 6, 1978 AMENDMENT Paragraph 4 should read as follows: Mr. Woods categorically denied having made the statement which appeared in American Libraries. He stated that during the discussion of whether or not to limit access to Our Bodies, Ourselves and the three other books listed in Mrs. Martin's November letter, he has said. "...be careful that you don't put yourself in a position where come Council will try to tell you what to do." Paragraph 5 should read He repeatedly asked Miss Smith why the quotation had appeared and if he had really said it. Miss Smith stated that she was under the impression that he meant that, in his opinion, funds would cease if action were not taken to stop book collection complaints. Mr. Tisdel stated that he was under the impression that the Librarian's job was in jeopardy if action were not taken. Committee members agreed that there were many implications in the discussion on December 5. Miss Smith admitted that she was very angry and might have ;misconstrued his words.