HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-1978 Library Board MinutesUNGER MEMORIAL LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 9, 1978
The regular meeting of the Unger Memorial Library Advisory Committee was called
to order at 7:15 P.M. Monday, January 9, 1978, in the Library Conference Room
by Mrs. Merwyn Igo, President. Present were Ruby Curry, Susan LaFont, Malcolm
Tisdel, Lloyd Woods, and Judy Smith, Librarian.
The minutes of the December 5, 1977, meeting were approved as corrected.
(Amendment filed.) The Librarian's Report for December, 1977, was presented.
Mr. Woods asked if it would be possible for the City Manager to get a list of
the new books added to the collection each month. Mrs. Igo and Mrs. Curry each
stated that such a list had appeared in the Plainview Daily Herald for the last
17 years. Miss Smith stated that no one had ever requested a copy of the New
Book List, but that it would be simple to make a copy for the City Manager.
Mr. Woods stated that the City Council would like to suggest that a Review
Committee be set up to review materials to determine if those materials are
in the best interest of the community. After all questionable materials had
been reviewed, access to those acceptable would be restricted to adults. Mrs.
LaFont stated that it would soon reach the point that more than half of the
collection would need to be reviewed by the Review Committee and asked what
would be done with art books and Greek literature. Miss Smith asked what would
determine which materials would be considered questionable and by whom. Miss
Smith pointed out the near impossibility of finding a Review Committee with
enough time toread and evaluate the 1,600 books added last year.
Mrs. Igo pointed out that the library does not just receive boxes of books
which someone in the East decides it should get. She stated that standard
sources carry reviews on thousands of books each year. Each book ordered by
the library is selected by the Librarian after studying reviews. Mrs. Curry
stated that in most cases two recommendations had been required before a book
was selected. Miss Smith stated that the fact a work had been recommended
did not mean it was selected for inclusion in the library's collection. Many
factors are taken into account - community standards, the library's holdings
in a particular subject area, the availability of information on the subject,
patron demands for works in certain areas, collection balance, budget, etc.
She also stated that reviews for some selection tools are written by people
all over the country, noting that there are some reviewers in Lubbok, Amarillo,
and eastern New Mexico.
Mr. Tisdel stated that he had considered the question of collection control
carefully and had prepared a compromise policy. Mrs. Curry moved that the policy
be accepted as an addition to the current Materials Selection Policy and that
copies be sent to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council along with copies
of the Materials Selection Policy. Mrs. LaFont seconded. Motion carried..
(Copies attached)
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Judy Smith, Secretary
Unger Memorial Library Advisory Committee