Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 07/13/1995CITY OF FORT COLLINS PUBLIC LIBRARY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING Ben Delatour Room - Fort Collins Public Library July 13, 1995 PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD: Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Chairperson, Al Stone, Le Moyne Anderson, Alan Bednarz, Linda Knowlton, Jack Steele ABSENT: M. Madeleine Wawro CITY STAFF: Linda Saferite, Bob Copeland, Ellen Willis, Dean Willms, Marty Heffernan, Francine Purdom, Marjorie Teklits COUNCIL LIAISON: Chris Kneeland FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY LIAISON: Shirley Chase The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chair, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald. Introductions and welcomes were exchanged between the Board and Staff to new Library Board member Jack Steele. The minutes of the June 8, 1995 meeting stand as written. REPORT: Council Liaison City Council Liaison Chris Kneeland stressed the importance of the Library as an information center in the community. She informed the Library Board that her role is to support their efforts and she is totally accessible to them and ready to give support in any way she can. She advised the Library Board that an important part of their responsibilities is to take a strong advocacy role on the part of citizens' needs and to approach matters from every angle. Al Bednarz asked how the Board can be advocates; she replied by stating Library issues have to remain visible to City Council. The Library Board plays a critical role in the community and the more they can speak to varied groups, the better. She asked Board members to advise her what City Council can do; the Library's needs must be presented correctly and compellingly. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald asked how the Board relates to the City Manager; her reply was that she is meeting with him this week and will advise the Board concerning his level of support concerning library issues for a community of this size. She also said the opening of the new Mini Library is wonderful for the community, however, it is not big enough. Note: Council member Kneeland did discuss library needs with the new City Manager, John Fishback, and received a positive response. She asked him to visit the Library with a list of 5 books he'd like to read to test our availability of books.) There was no correspondence to be read at this meeting. 1 REPORTS On the Job with Francine Purdom - Librarian/Interlibrary Loans Francine explained that Interlibrary Loans (ILL) is the process by which the Library obtains materials for customers which are not available at this facility. ILL's have increased 5,000% over the last five years, and automation has opened up ways for customers to borrow materials. She explained how this is accomplished by using ACLIN (Access Colorado Library and Information Network) and First Search. ILL material are available to children as well as adults, and there is no charge for this service unless a loaning library charges us. General Report - Linda Saferite Raw data obtained from the customer survey of 2,000 randomly selected members of the community was distributed to the Library Board. Nancy Knepel of the Regional High Plains Library Service System is scheduled to attend the September 14 meeting to answer any questions concerning the survey results. Linda Saferite attended the American Library Association's meeting which was held in Chicago in June. After tours of nine libraries in the surrounding areas, she was able to see first hand what other communities are doing as well as compare their staffing and overall size. Since the Mini Library's opening on June 28th, 9,238 books have gone into circulation. One third of the collection was checked out with an average of at least 70 customers per hour. Some books from the Main Library are being sent to the Mini to help keep material on the shelves. The lack of press coverage for the opening was disappointing, and the Mayor plans to send a letter to The Coloradoan expressing disappointment. Second quarter statistics showed that June 8th was the busiest Main Library day thus far with 5,285 books checked out. The library served 2,600 people on June 13th. The single busiest hour was between 4-5:00 p.m. on April 9 when 1,145 items were checked out. Because of all the activity in recent weeks, there have been shelving emergencies where all staff were asked to assist in getting the books back on the shelves for customers. Volunteers were also actively recruited for shelving help. With the expertise of a new Shelving Supervisor, teams have been set up to shelve before and after hours. Staff needs will have to be balanced with new material needs to equalize the situation. The Library is also looking at automation and the purchase of other Dynix modules that could improve productivity. Copies of the Library's 1996 budget submittal to the City were shared with the Board. At this time, the Library could receive $100,000; $77,000 for one-time collection dollars to become ongoing and 23,000 for Mini Library facility related costs. Linda Saferite visited the Public Library in Montrose to do a peer grant review and was impressed with the support their library has received from its community. How'd we do's?" A copy of a customer complaint concerning accommodations for visually impaired customers as well as the Library's response was shared with the Library Board. 2 OLD BUSINESS A. Library Fund Advisory Committee Task Force Marty Heffeman, Assistant to Cultural, Library and Recreational Services Director, explained the revisions made to the "Fort Collins Foundation Library Fund Advisory Committee Charter." Al Stone made the motion to accept the revised document as the new charter and to restructure the Committee. Le Moyne Anderson seconded the motion, and all Board members present voted in favor. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald advised that Virginia Ward removed herself from the Committee. A motion was made to remove the current inactive members of the Committee and to appoint new members. The motion was seconded by Al Stone and all but one Board member voted in favor. A motion was made by Jack Steele to appoint James Ogg, Jack Schanz and Libby James as new members of the Committee; it was seconded by Al Bednarz and all Board members present voted in favor. Al Bednarz made the motion to appoint them for staggered terms of 1, 2, and 4 years in alphabetical order by name; it was seconded by Al Stone and all Board members present voted in favor of the motion. Libby James will be appointed for 1 year, Jim Ogg for 2 years and Jack Schanz for 4 years. All agreed that the duties of the Library Fund Advisory Committee are to see that the funds are invested wisely and conservatively. The Library Board has the authorization to replace the charter. Library Board members agreed that the restructured Library Fund Advisory Committee should report to the Library Board quarterly. B. Library Options Public Process 434 customers have responded to the survey which asks which service option they prefer. Response statistics and customer comments received to date were distributed to the Library Board; the survey will continue through the month of July. Plans for Board members' participation at the public meetings July 20 and July 27 were discussed. C. "Into the 21st Century" Copies of the document, which is a long range plan for information services and library facilities for the Fort Collins Area, were distributed to Board members. Linda Knowlton suggested a timeframe be included; Jack Steele would prefer a timeframe on each individual item; Al Bednarz suggested showing it to the Chris Kneeland for her input and suggestions before submitting it to City Council for approval. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald suggested the goals of the plan be in place by the 21st century; she asked the Board members to review the document, discuss it again at the August meeting, and finalize it by September. NEW BUSINESS It was decided to include on the August agenda plans for a brainstorming session concerning methods of advocating the library's needs to the public. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits Library Secretary 3