Members in attendance: Joe Perry, Chair, Chief Steward, Local 2186, DC 47; Carol Boardman,  Steward Local 2186; Sondra Corry, Steward Local 2187; Bill Fleming, Chief, Administrative Services; Joe McPeak, Chief, Central Public Services Division; Mitch Partovi, Buildings Department; Lillian Randolph, Vice-President and Steward, Local 696; Richard Somers, Head, Central Security

1. Review of the minutes from 9/24/02:

Central:

Security - Policing the Internet: Joe McPeak will arrange a meeting with Rich Somers, Head, Central Security and Joe Perry, Chair, Health and Safety Committee to discuss how the Central Guards are to respond when they observe patrons viewing questionable images on public computers.

Staff bathrooms - manual flushers have been installed in the ground floor men's staff bathroom. Hand dryers have been received and will be installed.

Literature Department ceiling lights - Mitch Partovi will send the Chair a copy of a report from Engineer Michael Porter that shows the lighting levels in the Department are appropriate average lighting levels for the areas in question. The Chair will discuss this report with the Literature Department representative and get back to the Committee.

Elevators - Mitch Partovi reported that recent problems with the public and staff elevators have been resolved. The elevator phones and security cameras are working.

Men's public bathrooms - The Administration was asked to consider installing security cameras in the sink area only to monitor prohibited behavior. Bill Fleming responded that this was not a good idea due to privacy issues.

Skyline Room - The Administration was asked to install a telephone and water fountain in the Skyline Room. Bill Fleming will look into this and get back to the Committee.

Children's Department - Joe Perry reported that Mike Rudman, Rick Management, and Kathy Black, DC 47 Health and Safety Coordinator, visited the Department to look at several areas of concern. A report is forthcoming and will be shared with the Department's staff and the Committee.

Repairs to the outside doors are on hold.

Staffing levels and vacancies for Guard and Custodial positions:

Currently there are 7 fulltime and 3 seasonal guard vacancies in the Extension Division. Central Security is fully staffed. Approval for filling the full-time positions has not been received. The seasonals can be filled.

The Custodial Department has 1 vacancy.

Joe Perry stated that a recent review has shown that the Custodial staff has been reduced by 10 since 1989. The following data was shared with the Committee.

The Chair voiced Union concerns that we do not have enough custodial staff to take care of all the cleaning. The recent lack of success in the "deep cleaning" project is a case in point. Other non-public Free Library departments have had increases in staff since 1989 and the question now is, what are our priorities? Is the health and safety of the staff and patrons less important than staffing nonessential departments? The Library Administration is being asked to be more considerate of the
health and safety of the library staff when it makes staffing decisions. The Library's first priority should be to maintain worksites that do not put staff at risk. If there is just so much money to go around, let's spend it on health and safety staff first.

Chestnut Hill Branch - Sondra Corry reported the Branch is in need of task lighting for their work area. Several suggestions were offered and Sondra will share them with the Branch Head. Mitch Partovi will also look into the situation.

Widener Branch - Joe Perry reported on 2 problems at the Branch. The first is a ceiling hole near a light fixture and the second is mold problem. Mitch Partovi will contact the Branch Head before tomorrow.

Suggested date for the next meeting: Tuesday, January 28, 2002 at 3:00 PM in the Office of Pubic Support, Conference Room, Ground Floor, Central

Joe Perry
Free Library of Philadelphia
General Information Department
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-686-5299