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.