NORWICH – Representatives from the Four County Library System attended a special meeting of the Guernsey Memorial Library Board of Directors Monday to discuss recommendations for the computer system.
Currently, the Guernsey Library system is serviced by Jeff Jones, the husband of Library Director Melanie Battoe. However, at the end of August, Jones was given notice that the contract would be terminated at the end of 30 days. Battoe was placed on administrative leave at the same time.
Four County representatives Jeff Henry and Dan Dofton, along with Guernsey staff member Scott Goodman, met with the board to discuss potential changes to the computer system. “We took a brief look around and went through our system to get an idea what is going on and what needs to be straightened out,” Henry told the board. He and Dofton recommended several changes, and some may start being implemented before the end of the month.
Currently, the library is using a filtering program designed by Jones. When his contract is terminated at the end of September, the library will have no filtering system in place. Dofton said fixing that problem, along with router system issues, should be a top priority. Dofton said 4CLS would provide a new router system to Guernsey for free. Software changes for the Internet filter will come with some cost. The two recommended using CYBERsitter to filter Internet content.
Board President Craig Lawson asked the two men to compile a quote for the computer services so the board could decide what action to take. “You’ve talked about several things, and it sounds like some are included with our contract and some are not. In order to make a decision, I want to ask you to go back and put on paper what is in the contract and what isn’t,” Lawson said. The next board meeting will take place on Thursday night, and Henry said he would try to get the board a price quote by that time.
The representatives also suggested changing the library’s WiFi system to a similar system at 4CLS that would come at a lower cost and with lower maintenance. The system could come equipped with software that would require users on the system to agree to the library’s Internet usage policy before being logged in. The system would also save the users and the library staff time by eliminating the need for users to go to the desk to get a user name and password to access it.
Dofton said his main concern was with the filter system that was set up by Jones. “The library employees seem to think the library director and the IT guy know what sites people are going to. I can’t see anything blatantly obvious with the system, but a smart person could hide it, and your old IT guy was smart.” The new system will monitor itself.
Dofton and Henry made other recommendations, including changing their virus software, adding a part-time staff position for computer service and web updates and making small computer changes that could save library employees some time and effort.
Quotes for the installation of the CYBERsitter software and the router change will be sent to the board by Thursday, and could be approved at this week’s meeting.
Although Battoe was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 29, no interim library director has been appointed. Currently, the library staff is picking up the slack. Lawson said it is a Civil Service issue, and the board is working with the Civil Service department to come up with a job description for an interim manager.