1997-04-29 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee: Committee of the Whole
Date: 04/29/1997
Hace: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Diane J. Costa, Katherine L. Fanning Margaret C. Goodwin, Neil B.
Olson, Kevin S. O'Reilly, Helga Senko, and John R. Young
Board members absent: Edward E. Brindle, and Lindsay A. Diehi
Others present: Library Staff members: Thomas Scully, Anna Langstaff, Nancy Bonne, Laurie
Formichella, Mary Harvey, Kevin McGrath, Janice Shaw.
Recorder: Anna Langstaff
Committee of the Whole
Board Of Trustees - Beverly Public Library
April 29, 1997 7:10 P.M.
Present: Diane Costa, Kay Fanning Margaret Goodwin, Nell Olson, Kevin O'Reilly,
Helga Senko, John Young, Thomas Scully, Anna Langstaff, Nancy Bonne, Laurie
Forrnichella, Mary Harvey, Kevin McGrath, Janice Shaw.
Helga Senko presided.
The purpose of this meeting was to develop an INTERNET policy for the Beverly Public Library.
Tom Scully explained the two main reasons why an INTEKNET policy needs to be formulated:
1. The Beverly Public Library has the option to provide graphical INTERNET access. This
would allow the library to put out PC' s for the public.
2. Boston Public Library did not handle its INTERNET controversy well. The Beverly Public
Library needs to develop an INTERNET policy so that this library does not end up in a
similar situation. Internet filters filter out information that was not intended to be blocked.
Tom Scully recommended that the library should not interfere with patrons' access to the
INTERNET and that children should be supervised by their parents, not by the librarians. Tom Scully
also stated that he does not want a policy that requires librarians to police PC's (sign-ups, permission
forms, etc.).
Margaret Goodwin emphasized the importance of distributing the INTERNET policy to as many
people as possible. Keyin O'Reilly asked about the current materials selection policy and how it
relates to purchasing power vs. access and children vs. adults. Nell Olson was concerned that some
INTERNET policies were in fact non-policies.
Other issues that were raised: possible age restfictions, parental permission, the role of the staff,
censorship, public policy and internal policy, filters for the screens, and First Amendment fights.
Tom Scully will write up a rough draft of an INTERNET policy based on the consensus reached at
tonight's meeting. The trustees recommended that the staff meet to discuss the practical aspects of
an INTERNET policy and report back the outcome of this meeting to the trustees.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Anna Langstaff, Recorder