At a meeting that saw factions of the library board united in honoring former president Jo Ann Farley, there was considerable controversy surrounding the issue of appointing a policy and by-laws committee.

During the board's Feb. 24 meeting, following President Mischa Schwartz's committee assignments, Trustee Marietta DiCamillo expressed concern that there has not been a policy and bylaws committee for almost two years. She stressed that creating policies is ''one of our primary functions.'' Trustee Ralene Adler added that such a committee ''is part of our policy manual.''

Dr. Schwartz responded, saying that he would be setting up a policy and bylaws committee, but ''later on, when emotions and tempers cool.''

This issue resurfaced, several times, later in the evening. When Dr. Schwartz called for a report from board attorney William Cullen regarding alleged voting irregularities, the policy issue was again broached. Mr. Cullen said that none of the differences he found would have changed the election outcome. He said that 849 proxies had been received, and, as a result, the winning nominating committee candidates each received one more vote. Eighteen proxies were not signed, but that, he said, would not affect the results either. Additionally, there were proxies without dates, or without addresses, or without card numbers, some with a combination of omissions. However, Mr. Cullen explained that such votes could be counted because the policy manual says that such information ''should'' be included, but it does not say that it ''must'' be included.

Ms. Adler also stated that 85 Florida proxies cannot be verified, and could possibly include some nonresidents. When she asked Interim Library Director Arlene Nevens if the list of library association members has been updated, the answer was ''no.'' Ms. Adler then stated, ''The current system in place is not trustworthy.''

Ms. Farley then expressed concern over election irregularities and the need for a policy and bylaws committee. ''It is an obligation of the board,'' said the former board president. Former nominating committee member Gladys Ross echoed the call for the committee.

Toward the end of the public meeting Dr. Schwartz raised some issues that also brought about requests for the policy and bylaws committee. Having reviewed the board's policy manual, Dr. Schwartz had four issues to discuss, two of which he brought up at this meeting. First, he discussed the issue of access to legal counsel. In order to keep costs down, he suggested limiting access to counsel to the board president, chair of the personnel committee, and the library director, with access for a trustee only with board permission.

Ms. DiCamillo reminded that counsel is counsel to the board, and both she and Ms. Adler said they did not want to limit access to the attorney. Trustee and immediate past president Steve Glaser said that he does not feel it is necessary for trustees to have to call the attorney often, but he does feel that, ''because of the nature of their business,'' the president, personnel committee chair, and the director do need access. Again, discussion focused on the need for a policy and bylaws committee to deal with such issues.

Dr. Schwartz then initiated a discussion on whether the library staff and trustees have the same, or enhanced, privileges at the library. Following the discussion, Ms. Adler once more called for a policy and bylaws committee to handle such a matter.

Open time followed immediately and Ms. Farley stated that ''after that discussion I can't see why you don't want a policy committee.'' And she noted that she saw no evidence of tempers flaring.

During the time allotted to the library director's report, Ms. Nevens focused on infrastructure and not allowing Internet decentralization of the branches. She spoke of problems at the branches and how much easier it would be to have one central system. According to Ms. Nevens, the federal government is offering ''a window of opportunity'' to school districts and libraries, from January through April 5, for a 40 percent discount for an Internet infrastructure.

Since this was just announced, and since those applying during the ''window'' time will be considered first, Ms. Nevens wanted to introduce the option to the board, even though there are no contracts yet. In order to take advantage of the discount, the board will have to vote at the March meeting. She asked that the board ''rely on the professionals and the staff'' at the library.

Explaining that this is his field, Dr. Schwartz said that there is really ''no choice but to go ahead.'' Mr. Glaser offered support, ''but with a caveat.'' He asked that the board and the staff remember to pay attention to the children. Ms. Nevens said that everyone would benefit from this new setup.

It is anticipated that the proposal will be presented at the March meeting, with a need to vote at that time.

Jo Ann Farley, who was defeated in her bid for re-election in January and left the board after 12 years of service, was honored during the evening. Dr. Schwartz presented a plaque and spoke of Ms. Farley's years on the board (1985-1998) and her years on the nominating committee (1978 to 1983), as well as her service as board president, vice president, assistant treasurer, and member of many committees. The plaque termed Ms. Farley's efforts ''invaluable'' and thanked her for her ''...leadership, good judgment and sense of fair play.''

Ms. DiCamillo praised Ms. Farley as being ''dependable, consistent, a pleasure to work with,'' and she stressed that Ms. Farley's efforts were always ''based on what's best for the community.'' She called Jo Ann Farley ''a true friend to the Parkville community.''

Ms. Adler praised Ms. Farley's presidency as ''honest, open-leadership, setting a tone of respect for the board.''

Outgoing nominating committee members Gladys Ross and Harold Shichtman were also honored.

During the meeting Mel Goldberg was appointed to the nominating committee for one year. At the January meeting he had been nominated, but Ms. Adler had asked for time to learn about the nominee and possibly offer more choices. She submitted Linda Burkhardt for nomination---''someone representing the south end of town...a younger constituent.'' However, as Ms. Adler stated, ''the board majority'' voted for Mr. Goldberg, with Ms. Adler, Ms. DiCamillo, and Mr. Glaser voting against. During the meeting the board quickly and easily approved voting machines at all of the branches for library elections. Ms. Adler made the motion, and although Dr. Schwartz questioned the cost and asked for time for more thought and Board Secretary Ren´ee Zarin asked to table the motion, Trustee Elayne Bernstein, who chairs the branch committee, expressed concern over members of the community possibly feeling disenfranchised. She said that if this would help the community it would be important, ''cost or no cost.'' The board then voted unanimously for the branch voting machines.

Controversy arose early in the meeting when Mr. Glaser ''implored'' that after two years, the board eliminate the stenographer at the meetings, eliminating a $10,000 cost per year. In addition to the cost, he felt that no one was reading these minutes.

Ms. Zarin said that she had also spoken to Dr. Schwartz about this issue, but she suggested holding off the discussion until next meeting since there was such a full agenda. Ms. Zarin also said that she had suggested having a staff member take notes that she could combine with her secretary's notes.

Ms. Adler asked about the experience of such a staff member and the cost. Ms. DiCamillo also questioned the cost.

After much discussion, Mr. Glaser withdrew his request ''because there is more important work.''

However, Ms. Farley did note that ''everyone on the board and much of the audience'' does read the transcripts.