July 31, 1995



Mr. Ira Shucker, Chair
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Board of Trustees
1 Margaret Mitchell Square
Atlanta, GA 30303

Dear Mr. Shucker:

     The Georgia First Amendment Foundation is a non-profit public interest organiztion.  It serves as an umbrella organization, drawing on the strengths of all media interests where public access issues are concerned.  It endeavors to encourage, sponsor and otherwise facilitate efforts to broaden public knowledge and awareness of the First Amendment and state laws aimed at assuring public access to government; and it provides legal assistance for those who feel their right of accesss has been threatened.

     The foundation has taken particular interest in open meetings and open records issues.  It has been brought to our attention that the Atlanta-Fulton Library Board of Trustees is considering ceasing its practice of providing live gavel-to-gavel television coverage of its meetings on Atlanta cable Channel 16.  We also understand that you are soliciting public comment before making this decision.

     The Georgia First Amendment Foundation would like to strongly urge that you continue complete televised coverage.  While your meetings would certainly meet the letter of the law if you ceased televised coverage, we believe such a step would diminish public access to and understanding of your activities and deliberations.  It is not possible or convenient for many people to actually attend your meetings, but many citizens have been able to keep up via Channel 16.  For years, you have set an example of responsiveness in the arena of open government.  It would be regrettable to see this cease.

     We also do not believe an edited version of your meetings is a desirable compromise.  Let media interests do the editing; we look to the library board to provide the full text.

     On behalf of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, I respectfully urge that you continue gavel-to-gavel televised coverage of library board meetings.  Thank you for your consideration.

                                                 Sincerely,



                                                 Hyde Post
                                                 President