Amended Minutes of the Free Library Health and SafetyCommittee

September 24, 2002

September 24, 2002

Members in Attendance: 
Joe Perry, Chair, Chief Steward,
Local 2186, DC 47
Carol Boardman, Steward,
Local 2186, DC 47
Kelvin Carrington,
Steward, Local 696, DC 33
Kevin Ivery,
Steward, Local 696, DC 33
Michele Belluomini,
Steward, Local 2187, DC 47
Sondra Corry, Steward,
Local 2187, DC 47
Bill Fleming, Chief,
Administrative Services Division
Joe McPeak, Chief, Central
Public Services Division
Carolyn Hale, Extension
Division Office
Mitch Partovi,
Buildings Department
Richard Somers, Head,
Security Department
Andrea Carr, Human
Resources Office

5. Replacement for Catherine Popolo - Andrea Carr, Human Resources Department, is now a
   member of the H&S Committee replacing Ms. Popolo.
   

6. Change in distribution of minutes - Minutes will be distributed to Committee members and
   posted in the District Council Web, www.dc47afscme.org.
   

7. FLP Safety Officer vacancy/contacting Risk Management - Andrea Carr stated that she is
   now the Free Library's Safety Representative. Risk Management can be contacted by the
   Library or the Union as needed. Joe Perry, on behalf the PPL staff, requested that Risk 
   Management be contacted to test the Philbrick Lending Library 's 2 workrooms for
   asbestos. Roof leaks have damaged the ceilings in both rooms and can not be used by 
   PPL. The FLP Buildings Department is waiting for a heavy rain to see if the roof repair has 
   worked before plastering and painting the ceiling. Mitch Partovi stated that he would 
   contact Jim Quinn, the PPL Department Head, to do some fact finding and find a solution 
   to this problem.
   

8. Central -

1. Security responding to:

   3. Patron in distress - 8/16/02 - Rich Somers, Head of Security, reviewed the video
      tape of the incident and reported the following: The patron was in the Art Dept.
      with a relative. When the guard arrived in the Literature Department, he was 
      notified simultaneously by a Librarian and by two-way radio about the situation
      that was occuring in the Art Dept. The patron asked for some time to recover
      and not to call an ambulance. When the patron felt well enough to move, a
      wheelchair was used to assist the patron to his vehicle. As Security was helping
      the patrons to their vehicle they were also checking out their books for them.
      Guards do not perform first aid and follow patron requests if they are coherent,
      able to move with limited assistance and have someone with them. If a patron is
      incoherent or is unconsious (unable to communicate) medical help will be called
      

   4. Loud patron - 9/10/02 - Only one guard responded to a call from the Newspaper
      Department about a very loud patron who was partially undressed. The guard
      did not feel that he needed more help. The guard did call the Phila. Police. He
      wanted the Police to have the man taken to the hospital to get mentally evaluated
      The guard managed to escort the man out of the building. He gave the man's
      description to them and they drove around looking for him. The Philadelphia
      Police are not usually called to remove patrons from the building.
      
      A general discussion of Guard staffing levels and duties ensued. It was agreed to
      table this until our next meeting. Currently there are no guard vacancies at Central.
      Joe McPeak stated that a Security Manual, like the one used in the Extension
      Division, is needed for Central. He will take the necessary steps to write one.
      Staff concerns should be brought to the attention of Rich Somers so he can
      investigate and get back to staff in a reasonable amount of time.
      

   5. Porn on computer screens - Joe McPeak stated that Guards by themselves are not
      to tell patrons to remove porn from computer screens. They are to find the 
      Librarian on duty and accompany the Librarian as he/she tells the patron that porn 
      can not be viewed on Library computers. This is not the practice in the Extension
      Division. Joe Perry asked that this policy be revised to allow guards to immediately
      warn patrons that they can not view porn and that if it happens again they will be
      asked to leave the library. Mr. McPeak said that he would revisit this issue.
      

   2. Public bathrooms - bathing - Joe Perry reported that the staff has observed
      patrons bathing in the ground floor public bathrooms. Rich Somers stated the area
      was covered by regular security patrols and that homeless advocates have been
      contacted to help manage this problem.
      

   3. Deep cleaning - The Committee agreed that this project has been unsuccessful due
      to the lack of staff. A request was made to have the status of this project
      communicated to the staff. A general discussion of Guard staffing levels and
      duties ensued. It was agreed to table this until our next meeting.
      

   4. Staff bathrooms

      1. Women's and men's

         1. Hand air dryers - Mitch Partovi reported that 10 dryers have been 
            purchased and will be installed soon.
            

         2. Soap dispensers - Mitch Patrovi reported that the City is still testing
            liquid soap and will not distribute it until they are satisfied with it's
            quality. We will have to use hand soap until the testing is completed.
            2. Men's (ground floor) - auto flush - Mitch Partovi reported that the
            parts have been ordered.
            

   5. Ceiling lights in the Literature Department causing headaches - Several lights were
      found to be too bright and until they are replaced desk lighting is being used. Mitch
      Partovi will look into the status of this repair.
      

5. Rodin Place rodent problem - Bill Fleming reported that the contractor has solved the
   problem. No rodents have bee seen following treatment. He asked that staff can contact
   him if they see any rodents.
   

6. Suggested date for next meeting - Tuesday, November 19, 2002 at 3:00 PM in the
   Director's Dining Room, Central Library.
   
   Joe Perry
   Free Library of Philadelphia
   General Information Department
   1901 Vine Street
   Philadelphia, PA 19103
   215-686-5299