10/14/1999 - Packet •
AGENDA
TIGARD LIBRARY BOARD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.
TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY—RED ROCK CREEK CONFERENCE ROOM
13125 SW HALL BLVD.
TIGARD, OREGON
1. CALL TO ORDER Chapman
2. ROLL CALL: BECK_ BRAUN_ CHAPMAN_ HOKLIN
IRWIN KASSON TOLLIVER
3. Approve Minutes of September 9, 1999. Chapman
4. Call to the Public. Chapman
5. Presentation on the Community Foundation by Sisson
Conrad Pearson and Sidney Sherwood
6. Board Communications. All
7. Monthly Report for September 1999. Sisson
8. Friends of the Library Report. Burgess
9. CLAB and PARC Report. Sisson
10. Library Expansion Committee Report. Sisson
11. Meeting Date for November 1999. Chapman
12. Other Business.
13. Adjournment.
TO ENSURE A QUORUM TO CONDUCT BUSINESS,PLEASE CALL CONNIE MARTIN OR
MELINDA SISSON AT THE LIBRARY(684-6537), IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
Agenda items for future,meetings:
hAdocskonnieVib-a
TIGARD LIBRARY BOARD
September 9, 1999
MINUTES
Call to Order: 7:05 p.m., by Vice-Chair, David Chapman.
Roll Call: Larry Beck, Anne Braun, David Chapman, Lonn Hoklin, Nancy Irwin, Sue
Kasson and Ken Tolliver. Staff: Melinda Sisson.
Minutes: Beck moved to approve minutes of August 12, .1999, seconded by Tolliver.
Motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Additions/Deletions
• Request for Reconsideration Form by patron (Sisson)
• Discuss Internet activity in Lake Oswego (Sisson)
• Permanent agenda change to discuss ideas of community to be called "Community
Feedback" (Irwin)
• ALA membership (Chapman)
Call to the Public: None. Board discussed time limits for issues presented by the public.
Community Feedback: It was discussed and decided to add a permanent item to the
agenda called "Community Feedback." Board members are encouraged to express
concerns, opinions, positive feedback raised in their communities/neighborhoods. Irwin
started off by discussing concerns raised by not being able to renew library materials from
home on Polaris. Director indicated WCCLS is considering surveying the community on
their opinions and general concerns with Polaris. Board also discussed timeline for
phone notification.
Internet Activity in Lake Oswego: Director mentioned the activity taking place at the Lake
Oswego Public Library regarding access to the Internet. The Lake Oswego City Council
will vote on Internet filtering at their City Council meeting on September 21St. The Board
discussed having a Tigard Public Library Board member attend the meeting along with
the Library Director. The Board discussed Tigard Public Library's efforts to address
privacy issues surrounding Internet use on an ongoing basis. Staff will review filtering
systems and security issues.
Reports: August Monthly Report: The Reference Desk coverage will now expand to
include double staffing for 55.5 of the 65 hours TPL is open in an effort to
provide the public more opportunity for assistance at the Reference Desk.
The Circulation Division is close to being fully staffed. Recruitment has begun
for the Technical Services Manager position. Tina Ulrich, Computer Support
Assistant, is providing basic computer support with assistance from WCCLS
and Network Services. The library is receiving network support from the City's
Network Services Department as well. Staff is in the process of streamlining
the book donation process. Donations will now be coordinated at the Niche
on Thursdays from 1-5pm or by appointment. Donations will be coordinated
by staff and volunteers. Patrons will be encouraged to donate items in "like
new" condition and published within the last two years. The library received
the Live at the Library Grant. The matching funds grant will provide the library
with a total of $4,000. This money will provide authors the chance to
participate in the Library's Book Discussion Club and Adult Reading Program
Gala. WCCLS is pursuing and TPL is participating in the Regional Arts &
Culture (RACC) Grant request to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
If awarded, funds will be available to support bringing professional artists and
performers to the library. TPL is also applying for a Ready to Read Grant;
$7,200 is available to TPL. TPL has,asked WCCLS to provide an analysis of
Circulation statistics. If each library's Circulation statistics appear to be lower
than normal, it should not have an impact on funding. Thanks to Trish
Stormont, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteer statistics are back up. Several
youth volunteers participated in various projects this month.
Reconsideration Form: A patron has filled out a Reconsideration Form for the book-on-
tape "Smilla's Sense of Snow" that is shelved in the Young Adult area, The patron would
like staff to reconsider the location of this item and to place it in the Adult section. Hoklin
and Irwin will listen to the entire book-on-tape and present their views. Director will get
back to appropriate staff with a decision and recommendation by the Board.
PARC Report: Polaris Assessment Review Committee (PARC) met on September 3rd.
The Committee reviewed the results submitted to Gaylord pertaining to test review and
prioritization of items that received high ratings in the contract. Some include OPAC
button, branch scoping, limit search by collections, truncation search in OPACs, printing
receipts from the staff client. Many of these functions benefit staff greatly, but will also
indirectly benefit the public as well. These functions are to be included in the Version 1.4
release of Polaris due out in January, 2000. Version 2.0 is projected for March 2000 and
will include the remainder of priority functions not yet met. Overdue notices will be mailed
soon. Director and staff conclusions are to end acceptance testing by October 20'.
Results of the reliability testing in July and August showed the system was operable at
least 98 percent of the time. However, September tests failed due to report runs
scheduling by Gaylord. Gaylord Information Systems President, Katherine Blauer, will
meet with library directors and will visit WCCLS and member libraries to view Polaris
working in a live environment on September 13'h.
Friends of the Library Report: Director reviewed the Treasurer's Report. The
Friends will take receipt of the Regional Arts & Culture Grant (RACC) monies.
The Friends are selling Espresso at the Library mugs for $5 each.
• •
CLAB Report: The County-wide Summer Reading Program ended with an
event held at Oaks Park. Twenty-seven children from Tigard participated in
the County-wide event. Director reviewed some of the questions on the
County-wide Summer Reading Program ,survey that was sent to public
libraries back in May. The survey was intended to determine if there was
enough interest to pursue a Summer Reading Program that would include
corporate sponsorships and grant funders. The Cooperative will be moving its
offices to Hillsboro from Aloha in February, 2000. The Cooperative is
preparing to plan for its 25' Anniversary that comes up in the year 2001.
WCCLS is working on local cataloging processes instead of hiring the function
out. This would provide greater flexibility in adding our own records.
Library Expansion: The library received a bequest in the amount of $816,585 from the
estate of Grace T. (Tigard) Houghton. The Library Expansion Committee consists of a
City Council member, Library Board members, a Friends of the Library member, Curtis
Tigard (brother of Grace T. Houghton) and the Library Director will oversee the expansion
project and will hold its first meeting in October. Library staff will be actively involved both
in selection of an architect and in programming the space for function. Director is working
with the City Engineer to draft a Request for Proposal (RFP). The City will make available
$400,000 to the project over the next two fiscal years. Tigard Area Historical &
Preservation Association (TAHPA) also received a portion of the estate in the amount of
$326,683. TAHPA intends to build a structure on the John Tigard House site to
accommodate meetings and restrooms.
Library Foundation Discussion: Director proposed to the Board the idea of forming a
Library Foundation or evaluating whether the library should develop a community
foundation. Board discussed its level of interest and the solicitation of members. Board
also discussed their level of involvement pertaining to their roles as members on the
Board. Director will explore and address the issue. Director indicated the first step will be
to research the bylaws of a committee or a non-profit organization. Hoklin suggested
appointing a committee to research and report back to the Board. Chapman and Tolliver
expressed interest in the research. Director has put together a list of libraries that have
foundations. We should see some activity by this Fall.
Other Business:
• Discussed Board members joining the American Library Association as trustees.
Director indicated the Library has an institutional membership to ALA and receives
several monthly publications. Library Board members are welcome to look at the
publications any time.
Adjournment: It was moved by Hoklin, and seconded by Irwin to adjourn the meeting at
9:08 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
h:\docs\connie\board\brdmin.doc
MEMORANDUM
TO: Bill Monahan, City Manager
FROM: Melinda R. Sisson, Director of Library Services
DATE: October 13, 1999
SUBJECT: Monthly Report, September 1999
1,282 NEW BOOKS AND NON-PRINT ITEMS WERE ADDED TO THE
COLLECTION IN SEPTEMBERI
Personnel Comings and Goings: The Library welcomes Craig Carter as the new
night/weekend Circulation Supervisor. Craig has 20 years of supervisory/management
experience in retail. He was a co-manager for Django Records for 17 years and an
assistant manager for Everybody's Record Co. before that. He is a self-confessed
"idea man" and is enthusiastic about the new position. He will receive his bachelor's
degree in English from PSU at the end of this term. He is also a free-lance writer and is
currently working on a screenplay.
The new Cataloging Librarian position was offered to Sandra Birkner. Sandra brings
over 11 years of professional library experience as both a cataloger and as a
supervisor. Sandra will be joining the Library staff on October 25th. Jerry Kendall,
whom we hired in August as a library assistant, submitted his resignation this month.
His wife got a job in Louisiana. Chris Cicchetti joined the Library as a temp. in August
to assist with serials check-in while other staff and volunteers were on vacation. We
said good-bye to Chris on September 15th as she and her family moved to California.
We have advertised the three remaining circulation library assistant vacancies and
anticipate interviewing for them in early October. The Circulation staff has been great
about filling in for all our vacancies during the last 4 months.
Spotlight on Linda Parker: Linda Parker was named employee of the month for
September. Linda has worked for the Library since 1991, first as a library assistant and
since 1996 as the weekday Circulation Supervisor. Never one to let moss grow under
her feet, Linda is presently studying for a Master's degree in Organization Management
at the University of Phoenix. Linda has been instrumental in testing and evaluating the
circulation module of Polaris software for WCCLS and has become the "Queen of
workarounds." Congratulations, Linda, on being selected employee of the month.
Polaris: The Polaris Acceptance Review Committee (PARC) met twice in the month of
September. Katherine Blauer, new President of Gaylord Information Systems (GIS),
addressed the PARC members on September 13th with information about the
• •
reorganization of GIS, hiring of new employees with needed skillsets and improved
customer service strategies. Ms. Blauer has held her position with GIS for 100 days
and appeared sincere in her efforts to deliver greatly improved service and product.
PARC next met on September 30`h to discuss the results of the acceptance tests and
decide on the next course of action. The Washington County Counsel and an Assistant
County Manager were present to clarify the legal and fiscal consequences of each of
the four options discussed. It was decided that a conditional acceptance proposal
(contract amendment) would be negotiated with GIS. In this proposal, WCCLS would
ask for firm delivery and functional installation dates for Releases 1.4 and 2.0 with
penalty payments attached (if GIS misses the date, a yet-to-be-determined percentage
of the payment would be deducted for every "day" delivery/installation is late). Other
overall losses of revenue are being gathered for use in negotiating the final payment
price. PARC recommended that the Library Director's Board approve the conditional
acceptance proposal. Libraries have been asked to submit their outstanding top ten
Polaris functions to WCCLS by October 12". These items will be compiled and added
to the contract amendment.
Circulation: Statistics for circulation continue to be very limited and are available only
for check-in, checkout and renewal. Total circulation for the month of September was
42,959. September is historically a slower month with school just starting up and no
children's story times and craft times. Overdue notices have been issued as a reminder
to return all overdue items before October 18`h, after which fines will be attached. A
high volume of undeliverable notices is being returned to the Library that will result in
missing/lost items. WCCLS will issue a report of all claims returned, missing and lost
items so that each library can review and account for these lost items. This could
develop into a significant loss of inventory and have some bearing on lower circulation
statistics. Usually, the most popular items are out in circulation at any given time; and if
not returned regularly, would result in lost circulation statistics.
Book Donations: Kathy Smith and Trish Stormont have spearheaded a team of staff
that has reviewed the Book Donations procedures. It became apparent that staff and
volunteer resources were being spent sorting through donated materials that often did
not meet the criteria of either the Library's Collection Development Policy, nor the
criteria for the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Thirty-year old encyclopedias and old
musty magazines were regularly recycled. The Library will implement a public
education process to encourage the donation of items that fit the following criteria:
Fiction Videos
Non-fiction not older than 2 years Paperbacks
Children's books Books of local interest and history
We will encourage patrons to drop off their donated materials on Thursday afternoons
in the lobby of the Library or to call ahead to make an appointment. The book donation
box will remain near the Niche and will be emptied by volunteers 1-2 times per week.
Items not added to the collection will be sold in the Friends book sale or recycled. (see
attached)
• 0
Banned Books Week Celebrated: Tigard joined with libraries around the country in
celebrating National Banned Books Week, September 25-October 2, 1999. Terri
coordinated a project of displaying large banners in the Library. Each one contained a
quote about the value of intellectual freedom in public libraries. Many of the banners
have remained on display in the circulation area of the Library.
New Procedures for Displays and Exhibits Developed: The Library has had an informal
method of displaying collections that primarily included the AAUW art displays, local
schoolchildren's artwork and "TAHPA historical displays. Since there have been a
number of requests from the community for displays, it was necessary to develop new
procedures. Teresa Laubach and Connie Martin developed two new forms that staff
p p
reviewed. Anyone in the community may request that a display or exhibit be placed in
the Library outer-lobby, inner-lobby, display case or Puett Room by completing an
application to display/exhibit materials form. If approved, the individual or group will
also complete a display/exhibit insurance form. Items may be displayed/exhibited for
no longer than a month and must meet the criteria that appear in the current Exhibits
and Distribution of Materials Policy (also under review). (see attached)
Grants and Publications: Kate Miller is fairly basking in the glow of her most recent
professional accomplishments. She has successfully been awarded "Live! At the
Library" grant monies to enhance her Book Discussion Club and the Adult Reading
Program. She has had an article published in the most recent OLA Quarterly (see
attached). She has also lined up authors to speak at both the Adult Reading Programs
and her Book Discussion Club for the next several months. Joanna Rose, a Portland
author, will facilitate the book discussion club in October.
Kate reports that five authors have confirmed for the Adult Reading Program Gala in
November:
• DIANA ABU-JABER of Portland is the author of the novel Arabian Jazz, a perennial
favorite about the experience of an Arabian American Family in upstate New York
and winner of the 1994 Oregon Book Award.
• ANDREW BILLINGS of Tigard is the author of the suspense novels Carnage,
released this year and Tainted Blood from 1997. Billings is a.k.a. Lonn Hoklin, a
member of our very own Libra Board.
Library
• ANN HOLADAY of Longview, WA, wrote a memoir published this year, The
Mountain Never Cries, a moving account of the tragedy and aftermath of the OES
Mt. Hood climbers' accident in 1986. Holiday's son survived that incident, but had to
have his legs amputated.
• CHUCK PALAHNIUK of Portland is the author of The Fight Club, now a major
motion picture from 20" Century Fox (starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena
Bonham Carter). Palahniuk had written two other novels as well, Invisible Monsters
was just released this fall.
• CLEMENS STARCK is from Dallas, OR, and is a poet. His first book Journeyman's
Wages, documents the experience of the workman. The book was the recipient of
the William Stafford Memorial Poetry Award and the Oregon Book Award. His
newest book is Studying Russian on Company Time.
•
Paula reports that while contributions to the Adult Reading Program from local
businesses were more difficult to obtain this year, notably from the bookstores,
donations from local civic groups and individuals are right on track. The Adult Reading
Program kick-off is scheduled for October 4' at 7:OOPM in the Puett Room.
Teresa and Marin have completed TPL's application for the 1999-00 Ready-to-Read
Grant. TPL is eligible for $7,329. Teresa and Marin have identified three community
programs that this grant-will support with fiction, non-fiction and books-on-tape. The
Tigard Homeless Shelter, the Reese Lamb House and the Cordero House. Most of the
youth staying in these residential programs do not come from a background in which
reading for pleasure is appreciated; providing hi/lo books for the teens and reading
spaces and collections for the younger children is a valuable opportunity.
Movie Nights at the Library: Thirty-seven adults and children attended the movie night
showing of Deep Impact. A new Phillips model "PowerPoint" projector was used for the
first time while the City's projector is away for repair of the video jack. Both Kate and
Marin have recommended that the Library consider purchasing a projector to be stored
in the Library. A number of the Library's programs conflict with City Council and other
presentations made by other departments. I agree that there is a need for a second
projector and will consider whether the Library should make this purchase.
Friendly Visitor Patron Values Service: Trish shared a very special library story. Larry
Daw, a new Friendly Visitor volunteer, told a story noting that his patron was delighted
to meet him. She's bed ridden and mentioned that she watched the moon move across
the sky one recent night. She couldn't believe that she had reached the age that she is
without understanding much about astronomy and wanted books to learn more about
the moon and planets. The program now serves 20 patrons through the efforts of 13
Friendly Visitors, with 4 patrons waiting for a new Friendly Visitor volunteer.
Volunteers:
Volunteer Type Number Hours
Regular Volunteers 74 708.50
Youth Services 15 65.50
Local History 1 16.00
Adopt-a-Shelf 2 2.50
Library Board 7 14.00
Community Service 2 5.00
Friendly Visitors 3 14.50
Homework Center* 0 0.00
Teen Idea Group 6 6.00
Total 110 832.00 = 4.8 FTE
* Homework Center is gearing up for October.
WORK INDICATORS SWEEMBER 1999 SEPTEMBER 1
� SEPTEMBER 1997
NW
Circulation
Total (from WCCLS) 42,959 N/A N/A
Adult Materials * * 23,706
Juvenile Materials * * 24,624
Total * * 48,330
Days of Service 27 27 27
Average Daily Circulation * 1,790
Hours of Service 272 271.5 271.5
Materials
Circulated per Hour 178
Increase in Circulation * * 14.1%
Materials
Added 1,443 * 1,352
Withdrawn 845 * 1,248
Borrowers Registered * * 372
Adult Programs 47 16 N/A
(Number of sessions) (12) (4)
Story Time 0 0 0
(Number of Sessions) (0) (0) (0)
Toddler Time 0 0 0
(Number of Sessions) (0) (0) (0)
Special Programs 165 92 31
(Number of Sessions) (5) (4) (3)
Children's Computer 109 49 N/A
Word Processors 242 N/A N/A
Internet Users 1,690 1,351 164
Visitors
(Gate count divided by 2) 17,669 18,767 14,348
Increase in Visitors -0.06% 32.5% N/A
Fines/Fees Collected $775.70 $214.86 $4,689.79
Gifts Received $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
No statistical report from WCCLS was generated.
"The entire unit is designed to or half-hour,she said. are located between the intensive ruuius wr Shill 111UMUui3,bi
reduce the amount of time nurses The new rooms are at least a care rooms. Intermediate care While touring the wing, Byrne 1
have to spend away from a pa- third bigger than the old rooms, rooms have private bathrooms. let out an exclamation of delight
tient's bedside," said Sue Ellison, nurses say,giving them more room For families, the new vying has when she saw a refrigerator-like
manager of the hospital's critical to move around while providing private rooms with large sofas for piece of equipment. It was not a .`
care services. care. waiting relatives to rest or sleep.A refrigerator but rather a blanket
The new unit has 32 beds, half The rooms are equipped with large room adjacent to the private warmer. The equipment heats
for intensive care and half for inter- beds whose lengths can be adjust- waiting rooms holds clusters of so- blankets to warm patients.The old
mediate care.The former unit had ed.The beds also can be raised to a fas and tables for other families to blanket wanner was much smaller.
24 beds. vertical position,allowing a patient wait.A consultation room gives rel- "It's all new and clean and beau-
Spacious patient rooms with to get out by simply stepping for- atives privacy when discussing tiful,"she said. "Everything is won-
large windows are equipped with ward. with doctors the needs of patients derful."
ELECTION I
Library computer s stem is closer to checking out
p Y g
By AARON FENTRESS net, short for Washington County cluded performance evaluations Calcagno said that Gaylord will RIVERGROVE-Voters narrowl
THE OREGONIAN Inter-Lib Information network for response time, functionality continue to work on those func
Inter-Library p ty proved,63-61,annexation of t
Although still far from perfect, —was introduced last year to help and reliability. tions, which were guaranteed in five-acre River's Edge Athletic Club
the Washington County Coopera- the county's growing library net- According to Calcagno, the sys- the sale contract for the system. to the tiny city of Rivergrove south y
tive Library Services'new comput- work, which circulates about 4.6 tem has been up 98 percent of the "They have delivered the majori- of Lake Oswego along the Tualatin n
er system appears to have turned million items a year. time, which is the required rate in ty of the functions, but we're talk- River.
the comer toward workability, WILInet was expected to do the library district's contract with ing to them about time lines for the The 30-year-old club,at 5450
according to the latest tests. much more for users than the old the vendor, Gaylord Information delivery of the remaining ones," S.W.Childs Road,has a failing septic M
Stating that the system is per- system, including giving home Systems of Syracuse,N.Y. Calcagno said. system and needs to hook up to a
forming much more efficiently, li- computers access and e-mailing In response time, 13 out of 14 One good sign for the computer city sewer,available in Rivergrove y,
brary director Eva Calcagno said users when a requested book is in. functions tests were successful.Re- system's workability, although through an intergovernmental
this week she's optimistic that the But library staff and patrons sponse time is the amount of time some patrons might disagree, is agreement with Lake Oswego.
system finally is headed in the right used to the old system have com- it takes to send an information re- that libraries will begin charging
direction. That's good news for plained that although it lacked WI- quest from a branch library to the late fees again Oct. 18.Because the The City Council will determine
staff and patrons within the 15- Llnet's bells, whistles and Win- central computer in Aloha and computer system was so flawed,li- whether the club complies with Riv-
library cooperative, who have re- dows technology, at least it back. braries could not accurately track ergrove's land-use regulations be-
ported a multitude of flaws and worked. The third test, functionality, has items and assess late fees. fore deciding whether to complete
failures in the system since its in- Fearing that WILInet might not come in at a 70 percent rate, "We've started mailing hold and annexation procedures.
stallation last year. be worth its price tag, library offi- meaning that 30 percent of the due notices to people," Calcagno Final,unofficial returns for
The $500,000 Windows-based cials put it through a series of tests functions promised by Gaylord are said. "We'll start mailing overdue lots cast in Southwest Portla
W
Wia
computer system — called WILI- beginning in July. Those tests in- not on line. notices this month." cities include:
COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT
Tigard-Tualatin board turns random drug testing in reducing St.,Oregon City. 100,000 square feet,if more than Which do you think is worse for 2
to community panel on drugs drug use by teen athletes. Tigard-Tualatin School District 15,000 square feet of space is used to consumers:Having the big-box
The Tigard-Tualatin School Board However,the researchers'pro- Board:7:30 p.m., Hibbard Adminis- sell food and drugs.That would ban stores or banning them?Why?Would
tonight will consider forming a posal could not be resolved with Dation building, 13137 S.W. Pacific most
built Kmart and Wal Costco you like to see a law like this passed in
communitycommittee to draft a the board's aims,said Tom Sharp, Highway,Tigard. Corp., Oregon. d
Tualatin Planning Advisory Mart.(A controversial proposal to Tell us what you think.Call Inside
plan for random drug tests of stu- the board chairman. build a Wal-Mart on Tualatin Valle
Committee/Urban Renewal Advi- y Line,503-225-5555,category 4690. L
dents in extracurricular activities. Instead,he hopes a committee sory Committee:7:30 p.m.,City Hall, Highway in Hillsboro calls for a
The school board met Tuesday made tip of community members 18884 S.W.Martinazzi Ave. 206,000-square-foot store.)Unless ' '
and discussed how it could use staff and others will make recom- Yamhlll County commissioners: 10 California's governor vetoes the bill d
h.,nprPmhPr nn hnt% ---- ,...._�. by Oct.10,it will become law.
the melted faces of its cartoon
characters drip from pieces of
the burned wire.
"There's a moral to this story," PGE employee Nick Phillips coils
Arritson said. "Tie your balloons of Oregon 217 Monday when it fe?
around your wrist." for shorting out the line.
COMMUNIT:
Haworth Ave.,Newberg;the elec- page to her.
tions division in McMinnville;and The feline had a habit of disap-
the drive-through drop box outside pearing for a few days at a time,
the McMinnville County Court- but when she had not shown up
house. for a couple of weeks,staff mem-
Newberg is one of 27 Oregon cit- bers began to worry.They posted
ies in which voters have approved signs around the area,hoping resi-
charter amendments giving them a dents and patrons would know of
say in any future increases to their her fate.
city limits. On Sunday,the question was
answered. Library workers saw
Tigard's library cat is back Libby outside on a bench.
after mysterious vacation "She looks a little tired,"said
TIGARD—Libby the library cat Bobby White, a senior library as-
is back. sistant who shares her chair with
The calico who had been miss- the feline.
ing since June has found its way And now White speculates
back to the warm hands of staff where Libby has been these past
members at the Tigard Public Li- three months.But Libby isn't tell-
braiy. ing.
Libby,who has been a fixture at Collie and her companion win
the library for more than a decade,
graced shelves and kept staff mem-
bers company.She was so popular LAKE OSWEGO—Kira Good-
that the library dedicated a Web king, 11, and her collie,Clarabelle,
Vk --
Oregon'eive Printer Friendly Page http://www.oregonlive.com/cgi-bin/printer/printer.cgi
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THE FULL STORY
Filtering porn out of the library
Multnomah County considers providing software to block youngsters from surfing
sex sites
Sunday,October 3, 1999
By Janie Har of The Oregonian staff
The Multnomah County Library -- a longtime champion of unfettered Internet
access for all -- may offer filters for computer patrons leery of the steamier side of
the World Wide Web.
Jeanne Goodrich, deputy director of libraries for the county, said staff members
are researching software that would allow minors and their parents to access the
Internet but not permit them into pornographic sites. If approved, the filters would
be installed in more than 180 Internet-ready computers next year at the county's
main library and 14 branches.
"We're trying to weigh all our serious obligations, our obligations to the First
Amendment and also our obligation to providing a welcoming environment to all
people," Goodrich says. "It's only appropriate that we continually reassess our
policies, and offering an option is not a backtrack at all."
But she emphasized that patrons will not be required to use the filters. "We want
to provide people with an option for themselves, or if they want to direct their
children to choosing filters," she says.
Existing policy allows patrons of all ages access to all materials -- including
sexually explicit photographs --though librarians may ask Internet users to move
elsewhere or leave if they are disturbing others. Patrons also may attach privacy
screens to their computers that make it hard for anyone to see what the users see
on their monitors.
Jonni Ocejo, a Portland mother of three, thinks there should be "filters in the
children's library. Period."
"I don't think it's too much to ask for filters in the children's library. If you're
sitting around, looking at erotic material, things happen to you. Physiological
things. I felt safe enough to let my 9-year-old sit and play his do-dee-do (video)
games, and I check on him every four minutes. Now I don't feel I could do that,"
Ocejo says.
"Libraries are supposed to be safe places.
1 of 3 10/7/99 2:08 PM
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Goodrich said of the "tens of thousands of Internet usages" in July and August,
there were eight complaints concerning online porn in the children's library.
Overall,patrons lodged 310 general complaints during those two months. Most of
the complaints don't involve computer use.
But some dismiss optional filtering as a futile attempt to protect children from
sexually graphic material.
"It's just a PR gimmick. It's just cosmetic. It applies a Band-Aid," says David Burt,
founder of a Lake Oswego-based advocacy group called Filtering Facts.
"All the child has to do is a couple of mouse clicks, and they're into an unfiltered
computer. The issue is that children have access to this stuff, and any solution has
to involve limiting children's access."
One of most "unsafe" libraries
Filtering Facts deemed Multnomah County one of the "10 Most Unsafe Public
Libraries for Children," along with New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle. The
group says these libraries "provide unfiltered Internet access to all children and
will do nothing to intervene when children are accessing pornography."
Others have long criticized filtering software as unreliable and such a blunt
instrument that it also blocks unobjectionable words or phrases. For instance, a
filter blocking "breasts" would screen out cooking recipes involving chicken
breasts or references to breast cancer.
The American Library Association eschews blockers, supporting instead an
open-access policy and urging parents to school their children on the benefits and
drawbacks of the Internet.
The Multnomah County Library is following a trend of suburban libraries that
provide filters.
Tualatin Library recently added six computers with Internet access, half of which
are unfiltered. The children's section has one filtered station. The library warns
users that they should not display any images that depict nudity or sexual conduct,
but the unfiltered computers also offer privacy screens.
"We're not going to go looking over people's shoulders," manager Nancy Hoven
says.
Computers out in open
The two Clackamas County Library branches, Oak Lodge and Clackamas Corner,
put their unfiltered computers in the open without privacy screens to try to inhibit
people interested in cruising pornographic Internet sites. After a year,the library
has seen only a handful of cases in which users tapped porn sites, director Doris
Grolbert says.
The Fort Vancouver Regional Library, which operates 13 branches in
Washington's Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties, has used new software to
give all 24 of its Internet stations the option to filter. Patrons must register to use
the Internet stations, and children must have a parent's permission for unscreened
Internet access.
Multnomah County Library officials also are considering another change in policy
to keep adults off computers in the children's section at the main library, 801 S.W.
10th Ave. The new policy would limit use of the computers in the children's room
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to minors and the adults accompanying them.
Adults can go on the computers but are supposed to cede their terminal to a minor.
But librarians agree that small children are often uncomfortable booting off a
much larger grown-up.
"Adults can come in here, but if a kid needs a computer,they should get off," says
Megan Saul, a seventh-grader at West Sylvan Middle School who often visits the
child-friendly room after school but finds all nine Internet-accessible computers
hogged by users three times her age.
Library officials say one of the reasons to ban adults from children's computers is
to ensure that they aren't viewing porn sites. The new policy, however, would not
prevent underage patrons from surfing online titillations.
With or without the new policies, Goodrich said libraries always will be
bellwethers of the debate about free speech.
"These conflicts have happened before, way before the Internet," she says.
"Libraries have lots of people, and they have traditionally had problems with
indecency and people bothering other people."
Staff writer Bill Graves contributed to this report. You can reach Janie Har at ✓
503-221-8569 or by e-mail atjaniehar@news.oregonian.com.
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LAKE OSWEGO WILL KEEP ITS LIBRARY INTERNET POLICY
The Oregonian; Portland, Or.; Sep 23, 1999; JANET GOETZE - The Oregonian
Sub Title: [SUNRISE Edition]
Start Page: D02
Dateline: LAKE OSWEGO
Abstract:
The City Council has voted 6-1 to retain the Lake Oswego Public Library's policy offering patrons a
choice of Internet filters while blocking sexually explicit sites on computers in the children's
department.
At the same time Tuesday, the council agreed that the library advisory board should continue
examining new computer software that permits parents registering for library cards to state the
level of Internet access they want for their children. The new software, called Pharos, was
purchased recently by the Fort Vanouver Library District, serving four Southwest Washington
counties.
The library began offering Internet access in November 1998. Patrons may push buttons on
computers in the research department to filter out sexually explicit materials. [Karl] Rohde said he
wanted to restrict Internet access for patrons younger than 18 and then see if the city would be
challenged in court, as some policy supporters said could happen.
Full Text:
Copyright Oregonian Publishing Company Sep 23, 1999
Summary: The system has been challenged by residents and patrons who want to bar all access to
pornography
The City Council has voted 6-1 to retain the Lake Oswego Public Library's policy offering patrons a
choice of Internet filters while blocking sexually explicit sites on computers in the children's department.
At the same time Tuesday, the council agreed that the library advisory board should continue examining
new computer software that permits parents registering for library cards to state the level of Internet
access they want for their children. The new software, called Pharos, was purchased recently by the Fort
Vanouver Library District, serving four Southwest Washington counties.
One resident, Richard Cottrell, said council members could be replaced, and a bond measure for a new
library that might be proposed next year would fail if the current policy isn't changed.
Jan Marto and Sharon Miadich presented the council with petitions signed by 1,297 people calling for a
policy change.
For more than two hours, more than a dozen people commented on the policy, which has been
questioned by a group of residents who want those younger than 18 barred from viewing sexually
explicit material on Internet sites.
The residents also want a sign posted in the research department stating that adults who show such
materials to children are breaking state law.
Karl Rohde was the only councilor favoring a change in the Internet policy, which he voted against in
March when it was submitted by the library advisory board after two years of research and discussion.
The library began offering Internet access in November 1998. Patrons may push buttons on computers in
the research department to filter out sexually explicit materials. Rohde said he wanted to restrict Internet
access for patrons younger than 18 and then see if the city would be challenged in court, as some policy
supporters said could happen.
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"Hard-core pornography is not acceptable at any age at any time," Rohde said, prompting applause from
those favoring new rules.
Mayor Bill Klammer, who favored retaining the 6-month-old policy, wants to see whether the Pharos
software could resolve the controversy.
In addition, Klammer said,the software would charge patrons for printing copies of research materials
and would limit the amount of time one person can use a computer. The software's estimated cost is
$2,500 to $3,000, he said. Librarians also will move computers farther apart so that patrons can't view
one another's screens.
The three Internet complaints reported by librarians involve viewing materials on another person's
screen. One mother said her middle-school-age son twice saw sexually explicit pictures on a screen that
was being used by an adult. Another woman with a small child reported she was offended by material
she saw on a screen.
Herb Bumgarner, who volunteers at the library eight to 10 hours a week, said he never has seen
problems connected with Internet use. "What I have viewed is patrons busy watching their own screens,
completely oblivious to patrons viewing other screens," he said.
p Y
Earlier this year, a middle-aged man was identified by some patrons as a viewer of sexually explicit
material. "He hasn't been seen in the library in months," Bumgarner said.
Councilors Craig Prosser and Jack Hoffman said they visited the library computer area at different times
and walked behind users' chairs to try to view the screens. Neither saw sexually explicit material, but
both said librarians told them to leave the area, which is marked with a sign: "Not an aisle." The sign is
intended to keep patrons from viewing screens used by others.
Steve Lawhead said unfiltered computers would draw pedophiles to the library. "What are you going to
tell the 7-year-old or the 14- year-old who is molested: 'Oh, it's free speech'?" Lawhead said.
Susan Blackman, supporting the current policy, said children can go to a friend's house to see
questionable Internet material.
She said her son told her, "No one he knows -- no one -- would access that stuff in a public library."
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INTERNET ACCESS SPARKS LIBRARY DEBATE
The Oregonian; Portland, Or.; Jun 17, 1998; JOE FITZGIBBON - Special Writer, The Oregonian
Sub Title: [SUNRISE Edition]
Start Page: B02
Abstract:
PUBLISHED CORRECTION RAN 6/19/98, FOLLOWS: David Burt, technology specialist with the Lake
Oswego Public Library, and Andrea Vangor, executive director of Washington Together Against
Pornography, spoke in favor of Internet filters at a meeting sponsored by Citizens for Quality
Community Standards prior to Monday's Fort Vancouver Regional Library system trustees'hearing
on a proposed Internet use policy. Also, the library provides access to six filtered search engines.
The library system serves 339,550 people in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties, all the cities
except Camas in the three counties, plus Woodland, which is in Clark and Cowlitz counties. The
Camas Public Library has its own policies. A story on the hearing published on Wednesday's Clark
County page of The Oregonian did not specify when Burt and Vangor spoke, did not indicate filtered
search engines are already available, and misstated the number of people the library system
serves. The story also may have implied that Camas was part of the Fort Vancouver system.
Full Text:
Copyright Oregonian Publishing Company Jun 17, 1998
PUBLISHED CORRECTION RAN 6/19/98, FOLLOWS: David Burt,technology specialist with the
Lake Oswego Public Library, and Andrea Vangor, executive director of Washington Together Against
Pornography, spoke in favor of Internet filters at a meeting sponsored by Citizens for Quality
Community Standards prior to Monday's Fort Vancouver Regional Library system trustees' hearing on a
proposed Internet use policy. Also, the library provides access to six filtered search engines. The library
system serves 339,550 people in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties, all the cities except Camas in
the three counties,plus Woodland, which is in Clark and Cowlitz counties. The Camas Public Library
has its own policies. A story on the hearing published on Wednesday's Clark County page of The
Oregonian did not specify when Burt and Vangor spoke, did not indicate filtered search engines are
already available, and misstated the number of people the library system serves. The story also may have
implied that Camas was part of the Fort Vancouver system.
Summary: Fort Vancouver officials' open-access policy meets resistance from people concerned about
children and pornography
To block or not to block is the question.
A standing-room-only crowd packed into the Vancouver Community Library Monday night to debate
whether young people should be able to view material some consider pornographic on library
computers.
The Fort Vancouver Regional Library System's policy of open access to the Internet, including Web
sites with sexually explicit material, is consistent with the American Library Association's stance.
Proponents call any restriction an infringement on freedom of information. Opponents, including Rina
Uthe of Camas, want to block sites they consider pornographic.
"I should feel comfortable that if I leave my 5-year-old daughter alone, she's not going to see any of this
stuff," Uthe said. "We need to make computers safe for all kids until they are 18."
Head Librarian Sharon Hammer has a different perspective.
"First of all, we do not have Internet terminals in the children's rooms, so there has been some
misinformation," Hammer said. "But ultimately it's parents and guardians who have the responsibility
for the selections or choices made by a minor."
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Several in the crowd spoke in support of the regional library's position.
"I take my role as a parent and grandparent seriously and don't want the library to take it over," said Le
McCaffery of Vancouver. "Free speech is a complex issue and not to be dealt with lightly."
Others want tighter restrictions in place.
"As a librarian and parent, I am shocked that the ALA and some of its members take such an extreme
position," said David Burt, technology specialist with the Lake Oswego Public Library. "Librarians I've
talked with who use (information) filters have had few complaints and say that they are happy with
them."
Andrea Vangor, executive director of Washington Together Against Pornography, said a direct
connection exists between sexual violence and degradation of women and the availability of sexually
explicit materials.
"We need to establish a harmful-to-minors law that will hold libraries as accountable as adult bookstores
and porno shops for displaying this material," Vangor said.
Others in the audience argued for more accessibility.
"You need to keep the Internet open for everybody," said Susan Swartz of Vancouver. "If you try to put
one of these baby sitters on the machines, pornographers will find a way around it anyway."
Some called for a hard look at sites that advocate violence, bomb-making and hate crimes.
Hammer said her staff is evaluating software that provides Internet users with search engines to avoid
offensive Websites and mechanisms that enable parents to guide children to predetermined safe sites.
She said she also intends to uphold a patron's right to confidentiality and privacy by placing the
computers in locations to minimize unintentional viewing.
The Fort Vancouver library system serves about 50,000 people in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat
counties through 14 branches and bookmobiles.
[Illustration]
Sidebar text--JULY DECISION
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