HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING

July 25, 2001

HLC Governing Board voting members present: DeSoto--Felton Garner, Paul Erickson; Hardee--Gloria Davis; Highlands--Perry Newport, Jeanne Renton, Bob Bullard; Okeechobee--Marilyn Buxton, Robbie Chartier. Unable to attend: Walter Olliff, Jr., Elinor Batey, Clois Harvey, Ann Ryals. Also present: Coordinator Mary Myers, Librarians Merry Cresswell, Margo Taylor, Diane Hunt, Elizabeth Kenney, and secretary Carolyn Hesselink.

The Board was called to order at 10:04 a.m. by Chairman Bob Bullard. Posted notice of the date change for the meeting was read. Coordinator Myers asked for an addition to the agenda under New Business--a discussion of Websense filtering and, to remove the survey of libraries item. Perry moved the amended agenda be accepted, seconded by Jeanne, approved by voice vote. Paul moved the last meeting's minutes be approved, seconded by Perry, and passed by voice vote.

COORDINATOR'S REPORT

Margo Taylor, interim head librarian for Okeechobee County Library, was introduced to the Board. It was noted that Hardee has open a cataloger's position with the retirement of Marilyn Arnold. Temporarily, this position is being filled by former Highlands County Library Director Mary Ann Hanna. Our courier position, open with the retirement of Jack Arnold, has been filled with the hiring of Douglas Henry. The rest of the report, as written, was moved for acceptance by Robbie, seconded by Paul, and approved by voice vote.

NEW BUSINESS

CHAT ROOM FILTERING

Coordinator Mary Myers discussed the issues involved in filtering, dwelling especially on the librarian's perceived need of curtailing the extensive use of our internal connections to chat rooms. The board agreed that our main purpose for the internet use by the public is to help them gather information. They also agreed that chat rooms are for real-time telephone-like use and that our libraries are not here to give people free telephone time. E-mail will not be affected by our refusing to allow chat rooms. With this in mind, Perry moved to add to our Websense site the filtering of what it refers to as WebChat, seconded by Paul.

Mary noted our revised Technology Plan must include a filtering policy that addresses the requirements of the CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act), in order to receive E-rate money. Therefore, we have already met this requirement by purchasing Websense and asking for 2 of their many filtering choices--Sex 1 and Sex 2 (dealing with child pornography)

The motion was approved by voice vote.

BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

Mrs. Myers reported our State Aid will increase next year by approximately $27,000. Both grants, Born to Read, and Graying the Net, were approved for next year. Highlands, facing a budget decrease this year, will probably have a lower library budget, thus decreasing our State Aid to both Highlands and the Cooperative, in two years. The Coordinator recommended that our contingency fund, now at $30,000, be increased to at least $75,000 to handle any salaries or other expenses incurred before the late winter State Aid is received. One way to increase the contingency fund, Mrs. Myers noted, is not to immediately rehire a Technology Trainer, but to use the services of the Graying the Net trainer. While we have approximately $750,000 in State Aid, grants, and roll-over this fiscal year, current budget cuts may reduce significantly our State Aid two years down the road. Our Polaris upgrade will be complete this year.

Commissioner Bullard addressed the budget woes now facing Highlands County as a result of decisions made by the state government, assuring the other commissioners that they would also be feeling the pinch. He strongly recommended that all those interested in keeping our cooperative strong help "sell" library services to commissioners and the general public.

NEXT MEETING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 19, 10 A.M., LAKE PLACID LIBRARY.

Meeting was moved for adjournment by Paul, seconded by Jeanne, at 11:20 a.m.

Carolyn Hesselink

Administrative Secretary