Library Commissioners Present:

• Helen Boyle
• Bettye Webb
• Barbara Garvey
• Rudy Ruggeri
• Janet Edwards

Library Staff Present:

• Emily Bader, Library Director
• Lee Fogarty, Assistant Library Director
• Carol Leaders, Administrative Assistant
• Mary Frederick, IT Manager
• John Clark, Head of Information Services
• Patti D'Amario, Assistant Branch Manager
• Linda Lajoie, Children's Room Assistant Supervisor

Meeting called to order:

Director Bader presented background information regarding Computer Use Policy. The Children's Internet Protection Act requires internet filters for all computer workstations including staff workstations. Presently, the Springfield Libraries filter computers at the branches and the Central Library's Children's Room.

By complying with filtering all computers, the Library would be eligible to receive discounts from the FCC as well as Federal Grants.

owever, partial filtering or no filtering would result in non-eligibility.

Filtering, also, is expensive. Cost estimates have come in just under $9,000.

In addition, the public know how to unblock filtering on inappropriate websites.

Other issues addressed were the following:

• Staff time involved to install filtering software
• Have there been complaints with the current filtering system now in place
• When requested, how much staff time is involved to disable filtering
• How do staff handle situations when patrons are visiting inappropriate sites (Most problems exist with adults at the Central Library)
• Library cards are required to sign up to use Computers at the Central Library

After a lengthy discussion on the above issues a vote was called.

A vote to remove all filters from Library Computers was passed; 4-1 in favor, with Commissioner Boyle approving filtering for Children only.

Further discussion involving how to inform parents and guardians on the Computer Use Policy continued. The Commission agreed that the policy would be sent home with all children who sign up for a library card; a flyer would be developed that would explain the policy in detail; policy would be posted on Library webpage; post policy near all Computer workstations. In addition it was agreed that Library Staff would continue to approach patrons when inappropriate use was observed and only use Security personnel if a confrontation occurred.

Mary Frederick, IT Manager, will look into setting up computer workstations that when turned on, the policy will be the first thing on the screen.

Director Bader will revise the Computer Use Policy for the Commission to vote on at the March 23rd Library Commission Meeting. Ms. Bader will also post the draft policy on the Library website.

Ms. Bader gave a brief background on Facilities Use Policy which will be reviewed on March 23rd at 4 pm, prior to the Library Commissioners Meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Approved: March 23, 2004