Lots of news from last week’s board meeting. I’ve highlighted some below.
*Internet
We’ve been getting hassled by CenturyLink, the provider of our Internet for public PCs and WiFi, for violations of copyright law by patrons on our network (mostly illegal movie downloads via BitTorrent). Lots of details are available here and here for completists. In short, they’ve threatened to terminate our service without notice if violations continue. The board approved spending $4,500 for the work needed for Mediacom to connect the Library to its network. We hope the work is complete within 90 days. Once complete, we’ll switch to Mediacom at 5x our current speed.
*Conduct In the Library Policy
A recent incident with a ChildServe client masturbating in the Youth Service area led to discussions on who should and shouldn’t be allowed to be in the YS area. The addition to the Conduct In the Library Policy approved by the board last week includes a passage similar to those adopted by many other libraries that allows adults to use the Youth Services area only when interacting directly with the collection. The roll-out of this change will include some new signage and information bout approaching adults in violation of the policy. The addition to the policy is included below.
The Youth Services area is intended to serve the needs of young patrons. Adults 18 and older who are not accompanied by a child under the age of 18:
are permitted in the Youth Services area when reading, studying, or otherwise using library materials from the Youth Services collections
are not permitted use of the Youth Services restroom (unless attending a program in the Story Time Room), play-areas, or non-circulating toys, games, and technology
Adults 18 and older are allowed use of the Youth Computer Lounge weekdays before 3pm or during Library programs. Use of the Youth Computer Lounge is limited to children younger than 18 and their caregivers weekdays after 3pm and all day Saturday and Sunday.
*Kanopy
Given the low barrier to entry with Kanopy–no deposit, no contract—the low estimated cost, and the novelty of offering streaming video (we already offer downloadable books and audiobook via Overdrive) I proposed to the board that we sign up for Kanopy and limit the service, at least initially, to Johnston residents. They approved the proposal. Stay tuned for more information as we work through getting things setup.
*Sending Kids to Collections
We recently received a complaint from a parent whose child’s library account was sent to collections. I mentioned to the board, that staff would like to exclude accounts of patrons younger than 18 from being sent to collections. They agreed with this. I’ll automate a change to patron accounts that will exclude all accounts under 18 from collections.
Those are the highlights. For more details, remember that current and past board agendas and documents are located under Staff Resources or at http://catalog.johnstonlibrary.com/board/