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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11017314% November 1, 1973 The regular monthly meeting of the Library Board was held on November 1, 1973 with members Harms, Kilhaw, Scheyer, Yearian and Librarian Wallin attending, in addition to a small group of interested people in the audience. Chairman Kilham called the meeting; to order, greeting the people and stating; that the Board would conduct its regular business and then open the session to public discussion and comment. The Secretary's minutes were read and approved as corrected. Mrs. Wallin gave her Circulation and Statistical report for the month of October, also stating; that she had contacted Mr. higdon to cut the vine on the out- side of the building; and haul it away and that Mr. Coster was to have gotten a bid in for the upstairs carpeting, but as yet has not done so. She then presented the followings letter to the secretary to be read: To All Members of the Library Board: My understanding was that the Board asked me to contact the State Library to have them come in and weed the books in our Library. After some comments by others regarding the weeding; of books, Hai. Yearian called me and told tie that the Board meant that I should contact the :Mate Library to find out how I would go about contacting the State on this matter. This I already knew so no further action could be taken by sae until I have clarification as to what the intentions of the Loard are.. Sincerely, Madge Ii. Wallin, Librarian After a short discussion, Mr. Killian requested that the hoard retire to another room for a short Executive Session, the raises of which are on a separate page. On returning to the public session, Mr. Kilham read the following; letter aloud to the audience: The Board of Trustees is extremely concerned about two things - the fact that the Librarian has not corlplied with instructions given at the last Board Meeting; and the fact that misinformation concerning* the matter has been given to the public. With regard to the instructions given - the written policy governing the operation of this library states Section IV PP II first sentence "Materials which are no longer useful in the light of the stated objectives of the library will be systematically weeded from the collection according to accepted professional practices." The Board has reservations concerning, the Librarian's contention that this is being; done. In the light of this, an outside professional opinion is essential to any decisions the Board will make. With regard to the misinformation being; circulated iii the community. The policy statement is as follows: Section 1 General Library Objectives -']a "To serve the community as a source of re- liable information." The Board is disturbed and displeased that the Librarian should be the source of misinformation given to the public. With regard to the existing situation, the Board is taking; the following; action: (1) The Librarian will contact the State Library development section tomorrow by phone and asl: that a representative meet with this Board and the Librarian at a tine acceptable to all concerned to explore the question of whether weeding of this collection is needed and, if so, what conditions attach to State Library help. (2) Tile following letter explaining the situation and correcting current misinformation is to be given to the paper over the signature of the Librarian and chairman of Trustees. ,� a��` v / � r' //15�r� �M C�� c." i� st� /�7� V,.,X S Page 2 Port Townsend. Library Board Minutes ]ovember 1, 1973 J Mrs. Wallin replied that since firs. Scheyer and Mr. Yearian are new on the Hoard, they perhaps do not realize ghat she has Leer doi7tg; I �lbout Breeding; the books. This has been an ongoing; process, using* tha ibrary Catalog; as her guide and authority and the statistics from the reports of the past several years were read by her to show ]low much she had accomplished each month in this area. She is well aware of what is contained in the policy statement since there was none when she arrived on the j-ob and she is responsible for its draft - ing. To further amplify her feelings in regard to State Library assistance in weeding books, Pars. 14allin read articles from the Christian Science Monitor and the Olympia paper. Board members Scheyer, harms and Yearian then expressed their views of the situation to the assembled audience, among; then that this would provide a good system of checks and balances for the weeding, which Mrs. Wallin herself hasPlime to do and perhaps silence any criticism by the general public in reg =ard to outdated books on the shelves. The business meeting; was concluded and Pair. Kilham asked for continents from the audience, several of whom expressed appreciation and satisfaction with the runner in which airs. Wallin was performing >, her duties, ending; with a moving; and eloquent expression in defense of 1"1rs. t;allin's performance as Librarian by Hiss Sallie Tall, much respected former Board member. The foregoing is a copy of the letter sent to the Leader: With regard to Col. V. J. Gregory's recent letter to the editor concerning; consultants from the state Library weeding the library collection, some points need clarification. 1. The action taken by;the board was a unanimous decision that the librarian approach the state library development section inquiring; as to what is necessary to avail ourselves of this service. 2. At no time has there been any thought that valuable books and documents will be taken from the library as is implied in Col. Gregory's letter. 3. It is our understanding that the ultimate disposition of Kooks removed from shelves during; any weeding; process involving; the state library rests with the librarian and library board. The purpose of making; an inquiry is to clarify our ideas on these matters. 4. To carry Col. Gregory "s analogy between a library and a grocery store a bit further there are items whichh can be kept more or less indefinitely as long as the labels are reasonably attractive - -on the other hand, there are items which are perishable and items which go stale. The problem is to discriminate between these items, remove and replace where necessary, and thereby retain an attractive and adequate offerings to the customer. 5. Our library's collection is an old one with many valuable items which certainly must be retained - -on the other ]land, for a long; period of time in the past adequate weeding; of the collection has not occurred. help in this area is for the purpose of providing improved service and in no way implies a state takeover of our collection or library. 4b 0 November 1, 1973 The Port Townsend Library Board met for a short Executive session in order to determine its action in dealing with Mrs. Wallin's reluctance towards accepting State Library assistance in weeding books. Mr. Kilham stated that we have three options from which to choose: (1) To give firs. Wallin another opportunity to present us with the requested information about what our obli- gations night be if we accepted State assistance.. (2) To forget the matter and go along with whatever Mrs. Wallin wants to do. (3) To dismiss her. After sor.:.ie discussion, it was agreed that we would follow the first course. Air. Killian then requested the b'oard's approval of a letter which he had drafted for presentation to firs. Wallin and the audience, and also a letter which was to go to the Leader (a copy of which is immediately after this page in the Minutes' book) These letterswere approved. by the Board after several changes had been nade, and the Board returned to the general meeting at which the public was present.