Present: Dr.Carraway, Lindsey Brantley, Thomas “Tripp” Calloway, Bill Speer, Barry Paschal, Windy Bedingfield, Hillary Millar

Call To Order

Approval of Agenda: Yay 7, No 0

Approval of Minutes: Yay 7, No 0

Report From Friends of the Library

Friends Nov 24

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Treasurer’s Report

05 November 2024 Library Board Report

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There were 2 CD options. I didn’t catch everything about the 6 months callable CD but the board approved the 4.15% Goldman Sachs 12mo non-callable CD: Yay 7, No 0

County Library Manager Report

Reschedule Lego to 1/11 & 1/12 (cancelled due to Hurricane Helene)

GCHL Report

Items purchased have been distributed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS

Luton: We should consider doing a pause on Reconsiderations until applying the new guidelines is complete because we already have 9 Reconsiderations.

Carraway: Reconsideration process will remain in place. It just won’t be necessary until all the books that would be, I’ll say, in question potentially, are looked at and shelved based on where library staff decides based on guidelines.

Couch: Sandra, I’d like to clarify something if I may. I think we’re loosely using the word Reconsideration in this conversation - all of the books will not be formally reconsidered through the Reconsideration Process. They will simply be looked at as the guidelines are applied to them.

Speer: So we’re going to apply the guidelines to all the books and if tomorrow as a citizen, I wanted to file a Reconsideration, I still will be able to do it. We’re not taking down Reconsideration forms or any of that. They can still do that?

Carraway: Initially in the Reconsideration Process, the goal is, as someone described earlier today. The citizen comes to the library staff and says I’m concerned about this book and I think maybe you should move it. And the library staff would say, “Well, under our new guidelines, yes this book probably is or they might say under our new guidelines, it’s appropriate where it is. If you don’t think it is, then fill out the form to our board.

Speer: I just don’t want us to stifle that aspect of the…

Millar: I agree. I understand the staff is going to be putting their time and energy towards the work of…. And you are requesting them to give a full 100% towards that.

Luton:....stop that process to then look and go through that reconsideration process

Carraway: …maybe if there are too many problems or bumps in the road, the staff could bring it to the board and say, “Hey, this is what we’re encountering and we need to do these things and then we can act as necessary.”

Someone: *muffled*

Carraway: Is that about the motion on the table?

Millar: I just want to clarify that all books that might not be accessible on the shelves at Columbia County Library, Grovetown and Harlem are still widely available and can be requested through the PINES system. I just wanted to clarify that. There might be books that you might want to come get today that might not be on the shelf but you can request through the system. It’s not restricted.

Speer: So what do we mean by stop the process then? So if I file a Reconsideration, does it just get put aside or does it get a priority because I filed a Reconsideration…. You keep using the word stop.

Luton: In my view, we would wait until the review of all the books have been complete and then if the patron would still like to move forward with Reconsideration based on whatever their reasons would be, we would do that.

Carraway: May I just ask John, that given the new guidelines, there are probably only 6 or 7 books that would still….

Luton: 9

Carraway: 9 books. It may be that you just take those 9 books and apply the guidelines and see if it resolves the matter. If it doesn’t resolve the matter, then we can go on Reconsideration.

Brantley: I understand what Bill (Speers) was saying because we just came out of a season last winter where we did pause because a new policy was coming in and as a patron, you know, to be paused, or have to wait because of another change on this side of things. I can see where that would seem unnecessary.

Speer: I just think it doesn’t give the proper priority to the citizen as far as the Reconsiderations. I think those books - if I walk in tomorrow and I fill one - even if we’re in this process, should be given the priority because I’m saying, “Hey, let’s take a real look at this one and here are the reasons” because they filled out the form.”

Carraway: OK, so shall we move on the motion at hand or…. All in favor of pausing the reviews of books - however Lindsey said that -

Speer: Could you state the motion again?

Brantley: Ah. Ok. I don’t want to make the motion because I’m not sure… I want to vote for it now?

Carraway: We’ll just vote on it.

Brantley: I wouldn’t vote against it but we came out and I’ve been serving 2 years now and we paused Reconsideration work for 3-4 months just last year at this time because we were letting new policy. We were kicking 1 out that wasn’t working, brining in a few things, those things got delayed and even hearing Kristen say she submitted hers in January. She got a response in May so I’m wondering how many months of a delay is a patron potentially going to have to wait to hear back about a book complaint? So, I’m sorry. I’m conflicted. I know everyone wants to leave but I don’t want to make the motion again if I’m not sure I want to vote for it. I think they should be prioritized. I don’t why 1 (process) has to stop. I’m withdrawing my motion.

Carraway: Is there another motion?

Paschal: Do you want to just pause on new Reconsideration Requests and prioritize the ones that are already submitted because that would seem to solve the problem. Because we have 9 in the pipeline now. Then if anyone has any new ones we could just *muffle* Does that make sense? *muffle**loud people in background*

Paschal: So now we need a motion?

I make a motion that we continue with the current in the pipeline requests for reconsideration parallel to the adherence to the new guidelines - advisory guidelines - but that we pause any future reconsideration until those guidelines are put into place.

Bedingfield (I think): 2nd

Carraway: Do we have a discussion?

Luton: The reconsideration forms themselves… The new guidelines will need to be integrated into that process so that’s something you will want to do.

Speer: So the new motion would pause new reconsiderations?

Carraway: Until the new guidelines have been applied. I would like to think though if someone brought a book though and said “under the new guidelines - here’s where that belongs” and that would resolve the matter. If it doesn’t, then *everyone talking at once*

Devin: Can I ask a question? Are we going to be allowed to remove the Reconsideration Form from the website so we won’t get new ones and put a message up that we’re pausing while all the things are shifted or we’re still going to continue to get them in? I don’t want people to send it in and then they’re not getting a response.

(Not sure who, a man): A note that says this process will resume….

Carraway: Hopefully the guidelines will help resolve and if not, then if there’s a book out there that these guidelines wouldn’t help with - that book needs to be looked at. Wouldn’t you agree? I don’t know what time frame we’re talking about when we talk about a pause

Community Member: MONTHS

Carraway: Well, I don’t think you guys work in the library….. If we need to ask our commissioners for their support or help during this time then that’s what we need to do.

In favor of the motion made by Barry:

Yes: 5, No: 2 (Millar & Speers)

Graphic on Greater Clarks Hill Regional Website downloaded as of 12/13/2024 at 3:00PM.

The Columbia County Observer

12.10.2024 CC Library Advisory Board Notes