HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-2008 Library Board MinutesLibrary Board Meeting
October 14, 2008
Attending the meeting were members Kevin Sweeney and Hayley Cox; John Castro,
Director of Community Services; Linda Milner, new Genealogy President; Bob Noblett,
co -Friends President; and Lucile Davis, WTLS Lay Representative.
The meeting was started with a quick overview of the Summer Reading Club in June.
John mentioned the new carpet going in the computer area. He also mentioned the four
new interne computers to be added with funding from the City and a Gates Foundation
Grant.
John stated that Anthony Mechanical from Lubbock would be installing new thermostats
in hopes that the temperature could be better regulated.
John revealed the yearly budget for UML is $380,000 which covers expenses for
personnel, employee benefits, materials, supplies, and janitorial services. Included in the
materials would be new books which would update the juvenile sections of the collection.
John mentioned the passing of a former board member, Shirley Igo.
John related the information he had received from his meeting with the City Manager
Greg Ingham and the City Attorney Leslie Pearce concerning the addition of R-rated
movies to the collection. UML's unofficial policy allows for purchase of movies which
are below the R rating. John stated that he tries to follow the Library Bill Of Rights
which doesn't allow for discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, age, etc.
Movie ratings are based on criteria and judgment calls, and books have no such rating.
Hayley Cox asked if there was any way to flag a young patron's record according to
parental control on what is checked out. John doesn't feel the library staff should be put
in the position of managing what is/is not checked out by any patrons, regardless of age.
Kevin Sweeney and Lucile Davis commented that parents/guardians are the ones
responsible for what juveniles check out, not the library staff.
John concluded that at the present time he would follow the opinion he had been given by
the City Manager and the City Attorney and not place R-rated movies in the collection,
but he would like to revisit the matter some time in the future.
Next meeting is scheduled for the second Tuesday in February.
Dismissal was at 4:55.