Minutes of the Joint Board of the Fairfax Community Library Meeting.10/23/14

[Rev. Elizabeth]

The Joint Board of the FCL met on October 23 in the Fairfax Room of the Library.  Present were: Toni Jiwatram, Debbie Landauer, Joy Mercer, Liz Griffin, Pat McNall, Amy Murphy, Janel Gamm, Chris Santee, Paula Dearborn and Jesse Cronin.

Speaking as a member of the public Chris Santee applauded the library for new and interesting things on display. He remarked that the new book shelf with its materials is attractive and engaging.

There was no correspondence.

The School Library Director presented information on the  Arduino Board, a kit that allows youth to learn how to program. She described it as an electronic version of an erector set. It is run by Scratch, a programming language from MIT. There is also a 3D modelling book.
Joy will start  introducing this to the middle schoolers, and perhaps have a pre-training criteria for the youth to pass before they can use the actual kit.

Debbie noted that the new computer tables were ordered and the school and public library split the cost.  Because of the octagonal shape, the tables have the same footprint as rectangular tables, but more useable space. 
One more new public access computer will now be able to be used.

New Business.
There continue to be concerns about communication between the School Board and the Library Trustees.  It was suggested by Paula, and then  decided that minutes of the Joint Board and the minutes of Library Trustee meetings will be sent to all School Board members.

The FCL Strategic Plan was reviewed.  The Strategic Plan is required of all Vermont libraries if they are to meet minimum state requirements. The committee that worked on the Strategic Plan was designed to be inclusive, along with townspeople, a member of the school board was invited to sit on the committee but she declined.   A survey was available to teachers and students, as well as the general public. Specifically, a survey was given to the 6th and 12th grades.  Input from the school library staff was gathered at several meetings as well as through a survey.

It is thought that perhaps the Joint Board should be more engaged in the workings of the Board of Library Trustees so they would have a better understanding of the function and work of of the Board of Library Trustees. 

Chris Santee, the Select Board representative,  said he would invite members of the Select Board to visit the library to discover what sorts of activities, events, and concerns shape the life of the Library.

The Fairfax Community Library policy defines what the various roles and committees involved in the working of the library are.

The Unattended Child Policy was reviewed. 

Youth access to Young Adult or Adult books outside the usual rules, during the school day may be allowed by a note from the parent/guardian posted on the youth account.  High school students are not restricted, and after school hours the library is a public space and the selection of books is not restricted. Access to movies by high school students is being looked at.

Paula Dearborn, a School Board representative, suggested that this procedure might be be written down and posted where parents could have access to the information regarding when youth have/do not have  free access to any books.

The Fairfax Community Library Policy needs to be voted and approved by the Joint Board.  It was decided that not everyone was familiar enough with the document to discuss it thoroughly, so an additional meeting will be set up to discuss the policy. 

The statement on confidentiality contained in the policy is based on Vermont law, and it was suggested that perhaps the actual statute be quoted in the policy. The School Board will have a chance to read the Policy before a meeting to discuss it is held.

Joy Mercer stated that she is considering creating a strategic plan for the school library, and that this is probably a year long project. When she has written goals and vision they can then be discussed by the Joint Board.  As always, there will be areas of needed collaboration. 

Petitions.

Whether or not the library should continue to allow petitions in the library is a complex issue.  In the rememberable past, the only petitions have been of individuals seeking to get their names on a ballot, and this happens only rarely, and takes no time from the work of the library staff. .

Paula indicated that there is a concern that petitions might be contrary to school policy.
Apparently,schools can restrict petitions if they create disorder.  It was mentioned that if, indeed there were petitions, they would be placed at the information area by the main door, and out of reach of students, and away from the circulation desk.  The Public Library Director would be able to restrict where the petitions would be placed, and how long they would be available.

The High School Principal, Mike Clark, is opposed to allowing the library to continue allowing the public to place petitions in the library. 

Chris Santee said that any of the Board could contact the League of Cities and Towns to get legal advice about this issue, which is, perhaps, a free speech issue. 

If the Joint Board does nothing in regard to this issue, procedure will continue as it has, with the library giving permission for petitions to be placed in the library.

At this point the School Board has no policy in regard to petitions.  This topic will be discussed at a special Joint Board meeting to be held on Nov 13 in the library.  The FCL Policy will also be discussed at this meeting

Space Evaluation.

Debbie handed out a presentation made by a specialist who designs interior spaces.  The presentation involved a larger library but it gave the group an example of what sorts of factors came into consideration.
The cost of the consultant would be $1000 per day, plus mileage. Jesse thinks the idea is a good one, if expensive.  Chris suggested getting a sub-committee of parents and students to think about the space. 
It was mentioned that there has been discussion of the library space on the Facilities Committee, but since there are no library trustees/directors on the committee there is little specific information about their ideas. Paula agreed to check with that committee to see where they are at re the library.  Debbie will look into options for a less expensive consultant.

The survey handed out by the Strategic Plan Committee gathered information about patron’s ideas about library space. 

The next Joint Board meeting will be November 13, 2014 at 6:30 for the specific purpose of discussing the FCL Policy and the Petition concerns.

The next 6 month Joint Board will be April 16, 2015 at 6:30 in the library.

Respectfully submitted

Elizabeth Griffin, Secretary.