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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 10/12/1995r. CITY OF FORT COLLINS PUBLIC LIBRARY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING Poudre High School Media Center 201 S. Impala Drive Fort Collins, CO PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD: Al Stone, Chairperson, Alan Bednarz, Linda Knowlton, Jack Steele ABSENT: Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, M. Madeleine Wawro CITY STAFF: Linda Saferite, Mike Powers, Ellen Willis, Dean Willms, Kim Crowley, Marjorie Teklits FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY LIAISON: Shirley Chase FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: Jean Dietemann The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by the Chairperson, Al Stone. The minutes of the September 14, 1995 meeting stand as written. CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence to be read at this meeting. REPORTS Technology Update - Kim Crowley, System. Administrator Kim gave the Library Board an update of the Library's current technology and summarized a list of goals for the future which included: the addition of a .5 technician for computer support systems/systems administration training; an internet firewall for security measures; Telecirc (an interactive telephone and voice messaging system which would eliminate the mailing of overdue notices approximately 130 are presently done each day) and save staff time calling reserves; subscriptions to on-line indexes for CD Rom LAN, Good Reads (reader's advisory in a graphical on-line environment), additional World Wide Web access for Reference and Children's Desks; and indices for the Library's Spanish and audio/visual collections which many customers have asked for. Linda Saferite informed the Board that funding for this improved technology was not approved for the 1996 budget and the money would have to come out of the materials budget. She also stated that since funds for technology improvements are quite limited, a consultant's advice as to the impact of not upgrading would be important. She asked Library Board members to advise her of any other technology areas they feel the Library should pursue. The Library's Technology Committee has been planning classes to train customers on how to use the new layered menus, and the public will be invited to sign up for these sessions. The Friends of the Library are funding three CD Rom stations for the Library, and it is planned to apply for mini grants to some local businesses to cover the cost of the software for this equipment. Jack Steele volunteered to represent the Library Board at the October 18th Telecommunications Policy Public Forum. General Report - Linda Saferite Larry Webber, Dean Willms and Ellen Willis held a peer review with Jamie LaRue of the Douglas County Library District concerning Young Adult Services. Al Stone also participated in this review. As part of this process, interviews were conducted with a group of young adults at the Mini Library to gather information as to their library usage, likes and dislikes, and it was learned that most young adults don't spend much time on leisure reading and look for convenience in a library so that they can get their work done and leave. For this reason, half the grant money was spent on technology and the other half on books. Preparation of an Intergovernmental Agreement for the jointly operated library with Front Range Community College continues. It must be completed by November 1 and is scheduled to go before City Council on November 21. Library Board members were encouraged to attend this important meeting. Three staff members attended the Colorado Library Associations conference on "The New Literacy" in September. A copy of the preconference handout on advocacy was given to Al Stone. Board member presence at the next advocacy conference, which may be held in the High Plains area, was encouraged. Linda Saferite served on a panel discussing Hispanic services in order to share what our community is trying to do to improve service. Work is continuing on the preparation of a video to promote library services to the community. The grant requires focus group discussions, and it has been difficult to get randomly selected library cardholders to attend meetings. A business and civic leader focus group is scheduled for October 20th. When completed, the video will be a useful tool for Board members to use in advocating the services the library provides. Library Board members were given a copy of a thank you letter from Mayor Azari to a member of the community who on her own collected donations from 25 local merchants, organizations and individuals for the purchase of children's books for the Mini Library. On November 7, Jacqueline Wallace will be appointed to the Library Board. An orientation meeting will be scheduled with Linda before the next Library Board meeting. An all -staff training session is planned for Friday, March 1, 1996, and it is planned to have Pat Wagner as guest speaker. Library Board members were invited to attend this morning session and agreed that the Library should open later on that day in order to allow all staff to attend this program. How'd We Do's A response to a customer comment concerning library expansion at its present site was clarified to include the monitoring of events of the Old Fort Collins High site as well as pursuing interest in the City/Count complex for possible locations of a new Main Library. Another customer comment suggested the Library be closed on December 24 and 25 to save tax payers money and to enrich the lives of the employees. Linda Saferite explained that it has been the policy of the Library to remain open the same days that EPIC is open. Jean Dietemann, from the Friends of the Library, explained advocacy as it relates to the Friends efforts including how a survey was sent to all their members asking how they would like to serve, attending School Board and City Council meetings, petitioning, writing letters to the Federal Government to request additional funding for libraries, and writing letters to newspapers. She also asked for input as to how the Friends can lend support at the November 21 Council Meeting and said she would like to see the Friends and the Library Board work together on advocacy. The meeting continued after a 45-minute break for the LINC opening at Poudre High School. OLD BUSINESS a. "Into the 21st Century" Goal 1. page 8. Add item 1.7 to page 8: Develop a library services technology plan (Target: 1996). Goal 2. Item 2.4. page 9: Revised to read: Expand the capabilities of the online catalog, for example, to allow for online renewals, holds and checkouts with deliveries to outlying courier sites within 48 hours and for online ordering of periodical articles. (Ongoing) Goal 2. Item 2.7. page 9: Revised to read: Continue to provide online access to periodical indexes of 1,500 titles. Goal 2. page 9: Add item 2.9 to read: Provide an on -going library -use instruction program. (Target: 1995) Goal 3. Item 3.1. page 10: Revised to read: Develop an ongoing maintenance and replacement plan for library facilities, equipment, carpeting, furnishings, and other assets. Goal 4. Item 4.1. page 11: Add ('Target 1998) Goal 4. Item 4.2 Page 11: Eliminate this item which establishes a popular materials library in the new Senior Center. It was decided the Library has critical needs to do more to serve the general clientele and the Senior Center will be offered the Library's discount on the purchase of books and bookdrops can be installed at the Center for their convenience. Goal 5. Item 5.1. page 12: Add (Target 1997) Ap.Qendix B: Correct chart to read: Future neighborhood Southeast branch (year 2015 or when needed). Al Bednarz voted to accept the document "Into the 21st Century" as amended, Linda Knowlton seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved. 3 b. January Library Board Retreat It was proposed to have the retreat on Tuesday, January 9, 1996 so that all members can attend. As soon as the date is confirmed with all attendees, it will be put on the schedule. NEW BUSINESS a. Work Plan for 1996 - Brainstorming/Subcommittee Al Stone said he would like to see the Library Board reach out to the community in terms of advocacy. Linda Knowlton said the Board should focus on specific goals or actions. Al Bednarz said the Board should decide how to focus their advocacy in preparation for the November 21 Council Meeting. Jack Steele agreed that most of the Board's advocacy efforts should be directed at City Council at this time. Al Stone said the Board's 1996 work plan is due November 30 and he would like the three most important items the Board plans to work on defined. Al Stone and Al Bednarz agreed to meet to brainstorm the work plan as well as advocacy ideas. After the work plan is completed and following the January retreat, Al Stone would like to have a list of tasks prepared for each Board member. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits C!