HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Library Board - 03/12/2024 Cit`' of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street
City Corpus Christi,TX 78401
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Meeting Minutes - Final
Library Board
Tuesday, March 12,2024 10:30 AM La Retama Central Library, La Retama Room
Special Meeting, Rescheduled from March 5th
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A. Call To Order
Pat Craig called the meeting to order at 10:30 am.
B. Roll Call
Present: Pat Craig, Carrie Moore, Joan Carrillo, Melinda De Los Santos, Alice Hawkins,
Dolores Rabon
Present Virtually: None
Absent: Jennifer Anderson, Carroll Matthews, Dora Wilburn
C. Public Comment
• Shawn Flanagan has put three books up for reconsideration. He recommends changing
the library's materials reconsideration process to have taxpayers review materials to
eliminate conflict of interest.
• Ken Weston wants to support Godly morals in our materials. He wants the board to
support materials that teach boys to be gentlemen, girls to be ladies, and be mindful of
pornographic and obscene material. He wants the board to remember the Bible says to
love others by protecting minors by keeping obscene and pornographic materials out of
the library.
• Vickie Natale wants to know when the annual report will be available to the public.
D. Approval of Minutes and Action on Absences
1. 24-0402 February 6 Library Board Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the February minutes was made by Joan Carrillo and seconded by
Carrie Moore. The motion passed unanimously.
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E. Friends of CCPL Liaison Report
2. 24-0403 Friends of CCPL Liaison Report
Friends Report - By Assistant Library Director:
• The Friends are working on their annual budget.
F. Director's Report
3. 24-0404 Director's Report
Director's Report- By Assistant Director:
• Sensory Room grand opening- The Sensory Room grand opening was held on
February 29. It is now open for reservations. Alan Carlos, Assistant Director, and Patricia
Herrera, Managing Librarian at La Retama Central Library, provided details on how it will
be used.
• CCISD book review winners- CCISD held a book review contest. The winners are
published in our Spring Brochure. There are two elementary, one middle, and one high
school winner. Their video submissions are published on the library's website.
• Capira mobile-app testing has been completed, the developer is working on a few
bugs. The app will be used to view library accounts, the catalogue and events calendar.
• FE self-checkout kiosk credit card terminals testing is complete, we are waiting on
hardware to install.
• E-Rate Category II- bids will be closing and going to Council next month. Alice Hawkins
asked if the state participates or provides grants. Alan clarified that the state provides
other resources but not E-rate.
G. Unfinished Business
4. 24-0405 Annual Report Approval Vote
A motion to approve the Annual Report, filed with City Secretary, was made by Joan
Carrillo, and seconded by Dolores Rabon. The motion passed unanimously.
H. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action
5. 24-0416 Agenda Item Procedure Discussion
Pat Craig detailed the process of adding an item to the agenda. The agenda must be
posted 72 hours before the meeting and anything discussed at the meeting must be on
the agenda.
6. 24-0417 November Meeting Date Change Discussion
November Meeting date change will be discussed again in October.
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7. 24-0418 Library Materials Discussion
Pat Craig mentioned ways to raise public awareness of library materials such as form a
subcommittee and hand out promotional materials for library events. She then opened
the floor for any concerns over library materials.
Dolores Rabon provided excerpts from two books found at our libraries, Kingdom of Ash
by Sarah Maas, and Let's Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. Kingdom of
Ash is also at CCISD libraries. Topics of concern included sections she considers
obscene and sexually explicit.
Alice Hawkins asked what the guidelines from the Library Association for pornography
and sexually explicit materials are. Alan stated that we have a policy in place that
provides guidelines as well as a reconsideration process. Michelle Balis, Managing
Librarian at Neyland Public Library, clarified that pornography is illegal in public spaces.
Alice asked what constitutes pornography?
Dolores said that she does not want the materials removed, only moved to a different
section so parents can decide if their children can check out the materials. Alan
reminded the board that children's library cards tell parents to monitor what their children
checkout and we must serve everyone. Dolores stated that not all minors are
accompanied and can checkout materials without parental knowledge. Alan stated that
we try to monitor unaccompanied children. Dolores pointed out that some of our libraries
are on school campuses. Alice clarified that only two are on school campuses and
suggested re-instating curfew or requiring parental presence to check out certain
materials.
Melinda De Los Santos stated that a definition of pornography should be in place before
ordering some books to keep them out of the hands of minors and keep libraries as safe
places. She then stated that she has been showing parents materials on our shelves to
make them aware. Sony Peronel, Assistant to City Manager, stated that a definition of
pornography would need a legal definition. Melinda stated that the materials shown
qualified as pornographic to her and asked if we can move them to an area that need
parental consent to checkout. Sony stated that we need proper definitions before moving
books and stated that there is a process in place to consider moving books. Melinda
then asked if that process can be assigned to city citizens to avoid conflict of interest.
She also suggested monthly parental awareness programs.
Carrie Moore wanted definitions of Juvenile and Young Adult. She also wants community
involvement and would like to form a committee to discuss materials and promote
programs at the library. Sony stated that the board should be patient and not rush while
library staff works with the city's legal team to evaluate the reconsideration process. Pat
stated that these books are labeled young adult and wants to work with the library
because parents trust that materials are age appropriate and doesn't want to lose that
trust. Alan gave an example of labeling in House Bill 900 and used the example of sex
education materials. Pat stated that this was not sex education but taught kids how to
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have sex. Alan reinforced the reconsideration process including looking at multiple points
of view. Carrie stated that House Bill 900 says that public schools cannot possess
sexually explicit materials.
Alice asked where Dolores sourced the handouts that rated materials. She also stated
that she would entertain the concept of more accountability while understanding that
changes take time. She suggested children should be accompanied when checking out
materials and that books should not be removed based on personal opinions.
Joan stated that the City Council showed that they must be concerned by choosing new
board members. She also stated that moving books is not censorship and should not get
pushback. Sony stated that we should respect the views of all our citizens. Melinda stated
that opinions differ and wants parents to be aware of our materials to make informed
consent.
Pat stated that obscenity is not protected by the first amendment and is defined by
community standards and asked how to get community input. She then stated that ALA
says all materials should be available to minors but not promote obscenity. Sony again
asked for patience since reconsiderations come in for other reasons too.
Melinda asked if she could get in trouble for distributing the materials we were given at
high schools. When Carrie said yes, she asked how it was okay for them to be in the
library.
Carrie asked to get definitions of juvenile, young adult, obscenity, and pornography, and
let the public know the reconsideration process so they can make recommendations.
Sony stated that we must cover other topics in the reconsideration process too. Alan
stated that you must read the entire book for context in the reconsideration process. Pat
stated that only one page is needed to sexualize a child's mind. Alice stated that CCISD
reviewed materials and would check if they still had the material in question.
Pat stated that she would like to form a subcommittee to find out what is really going on
and will add it to the agenda for next month.
I. Future Agenda Items
• Library Day Proclamation
• Materials awareness committee
J. Adjournment
Adjournment at 12:01 pm.
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