LC PUBLIC LIBRARY FILLING IN THE GAPS FOR KIDS HEADED TO SCHOOL…
One parent upset over exclusion of child because of Library ‘policy’
By Susan Salyer
The LC Public Library Board Of Trustees had a Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting on Monday, February 12, 2024 at the LC Public Library, 102 W. Main Street, Louisa, Kentucky at 12PM. LC Public Library Director Carlie Pelfrey was in attendance along with President Marc Lester, Vice President Susie Chambers, Lennie Collins and James Allen Pauley Barker. Kim Burchett was absent.
MINUTES/FINANCIALS
The LC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the January 2024 Minutes and December 2023 Financials. Trustee James Allen Pauley Barker asked for clarification on a check for $174.90 that was in miscellaneous column of the financials. Director Pelfrey stated that the general description was on quickbooks at her desktop. She offered to go to her office but the trustees decided to have that description at next month’s meeting.
POLICY CHANGES
Director Pelfrey discussed that there will be two Library Policy Amendment changes made. The policies have not been changed since 2015 but were looked at by the Trustees and passed unanimously.
The first policy will be for Behavior Guidelines with a Motion by Marc Lester 2nd by Lennie Collins, all in favor.
The second policy is the Unattended Child Policy with a Motion by Marc Lester and 2nd by James Allen Pauley Barker. (See Public Comments below)
Staff Reviews/COL Adjustments
The LC Board decided to table the Vacant Trustee Offices until next month’s meeting. The offices left open are for Secretary and Treasurer. Also the Staff Reviews and Cost Of Living Adjustments were tabled until next month’s meeting.
February 12, 2024 Board Update
• January 2024 Door Count: 4,005
• January 2024 Programs January 2024 In-House: 14 Programs 281 Attendance January 2024 Outreach: 5 Programs 49 Attendance
• January 2024 Total Programs: 19 Attendance: 330Self Directed Activities (In-House & Outreach): 30Participants (In-House & Outreach): 1,104
• January 2024 New Book Giveaways: 263(Story Hour & Lobby Table)
• Misc. Stats:
• Podcast plays: 41
• Big Sandy News Digital Collection Views: 178Unique Users: 75
• Notary: 45
• Memory Lab Reservations: 1
• 70th Anniversary 1954 – 2024n- September 2024 marks 70 year Anniversary for the LC Public Library.
• USDA/KDE Summer Feeding Training
Sensory Materials
Library program coordinator Deena Meade had different types of sensory toys for kids with autism to cope better in the skill classes. She had several on display during the LC Board of Trustees Meeting. The skills classes give kids a chance to learn how to be social in the classroom and use the resources the library gives. They are filling in the gaps for children who have not started school yet, Ms. Meade said. For more information reach out to Deena Meade at the library.
Latest Minutes
Financials
Public Comments
Four ladies, who were not named, came to the meeting to voice their opinion over recent policy changes that will affect the kid’s programs at the library. One of them was a representative of a National Autistic Awareness group. During one particular day one lady’s child marked on the wall with a crayon. He’s not even 2 yrs old, the mother was preoccupied with her 3 yr old, she said.
She explained that she can’t be in both classes for her kids because they are in different age groups. The employees of the library notified the woman that her children could no longer attend classes at the library, she said.
In the meantime, there are more crayon marks on the wall, so she wants to know if the other parents were told that there child can no longer attend.
The lady then asked for a meeting with someone to discuss the matter and was told they were out for lunch and would be back at 1PM. At 1PM, the lady said she was told she could not meet with her (Deena Meade) after all.
So, she asked to speak with the person in charge over everyone and was told she (director Carlie Pelfrey) could not meet with them, either. During all that time she’s wondering how many other parents or grandparents will be going through the same thing.
This parent now can’t bring her child to the library skills or preschool skills because of it’s behavior.
Mrs. Pelfrey sent the is message after the story was posted Wednesday:
(Clarification from Ms. Pelfrey: No one, adult or child, addressed in the public comments has been or ever was banned from the library. For clarification, the guidelines for Preschool Skills were amended so children not registered for the class or those under the age of three are not permitted in the classroom during the program. These amendments were made to address safety concerns for staff and patrons. The two library policies have been approved since 2015. These were amended to address cleaning fees and clarification of service animals.)
President Marc Lester tried to console the lady when things got heated, and said he will hold himself responsible to solve this problem. (For more information on this story watch the LC Public Library meeting on Facebook Live HERE)
AGENDA
1. January 2024 Board Minutes – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by James Allen Pauley Barker. None Opposed.
2. December 2023 Financials – Motion by Lennie Collins 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
3. Policy Amendments – The first policy will be for Behavior Guidelines with a Motion by Marc Lester 2nd by Lennie Collins. The second policy is the Unattended Child Policy with a Motion by Marc Lester and 2nd by James Allen Pauley Barker.
4. Vacant Trustee Offices – Tabled until next months meeting.
5. Staff Reviews/COL Adjustments – Tabled until next months meeting.
6. Board Update – Director Pelfrey gave the Board of Trustees a Board Update for January 2024 totals.
7. Public Comment –
8. Adjourn – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Lennie Collins.
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The next regular scheduled library meeting will be on Monday March 11, 2024 at 12PM at the Lawrence County Public Library, 102 W. Main Street, Louisa, Kentucky. The Public is Welcome!
