HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 04/13/2004LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MAY 13, 2004
Council son: Marty Tharp Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams
(Phone 221-66701
Chairperson: Ralph Olson
A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on May 13, 2004 in the Ben Delatour Room of
the Main Library at 201 Peterson Street. The following Library Board members were present:
Bob Burns, Rudy Maes, Don Oehlerts, Ralph Olson, Joan Scheuerman,
Library Board Members Absent: Melissa Pattison, Mary Robertson
City Staff Members Present: Brenda Cams, Marty Heffernan and Marjorie Teklits
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Ralph Olson. Bob Burns moved to
approve the minutes of the April 8, 2004 meeting; Don Oehlerts seconded the motion, and it was
unanimously approved.
Agenda Revision: Brenda announced that Dr. James Butzek was not able to attend tonight's
meeting due to a scheduling conflict; he is planning to attend a future meeting.
Correspondence:
Copies of the April 8'h letter to Steve Stiesmeyer and Renee Benzel of Hewlett-Packard thanking
them for the donation of shelving and furniture were shared with the Board.
Reports/Presentations:
a. Director - Brenda Cams
Brenda thanked Mary Robertson and Ralph Olson for attending the May 7ch Library
Taskforce meeting. Further information about the meeting will be covered under Old
Business.
As part of their fundraising efforts in the community, the Library Trust is moving
forward with a direct mail campaign. They are creating a database of 5,000 residents, the
Library Trust would appreciate any organization or club rosters Board members might be
able to share.
Children's, Adult, and Teen Summer Reading Program (SRP) sign-up begins tomorrow.
Brenda encouraged Board members to take advantage of the program and invited them to
attend the numerous programs. The teen program registration has been totally
computerized for the first time. Children's Services will attempt to hold puppet shows
outdoors so that no one will have to be turned away because of room occupancy
restrictions. All SRP programs will offer wonderful prizes to participants.
Bob Bums asked if Children's are still in the need of volunteer readers, and Brenda will
find out for him.
Friends of the Library - Lil Price
As Lil was not able to attend tonight's meeting, a report will be given at the next meeting.
Brenda mentioned that the Friends Board postponed their May I lth meeting until May
18`h.
C. Public Relations - Joan Scheuerman
Suggested newsletter topics:
• New Teen Computerized Summer Reading Program (SRP) Registration
("Did you know... teens can register online for SRP?")
• Book Drop Removal (still an issue).
• Include interesting photos.
• Staff goes extra mile... (creative SRP staff training included a scrambled children's
story and a real, live Mona Lisa for adult SRP training)
• Update on County funding
• Stories on how the Library has helped Spanish-speaking customers
(Bob suggested inviting community leaders to a meeting to get them involved in
what the Board and the Library is doing.)
• SRP statistics for the fall newsletter.
• Annie Walk
• Readers to the Rescue project: Manatee Rescue
• Frequently asked questions, such as: How would I go about giving a donation to the
library? Why do we need a new Main Library? How is the Library funded? Why
does the door alarm ring so much? Why do I have to go through an automated
attendant to reach someone at the Library? Did you know there is a group of citizens
trying to raise money for the Library --please respond generously if you are contacted
directly.
Joan shared a draft copy of her proposed Soapbox article about library facts. This might
be of interest for the newsletter also.
Brenda mentioned that the Coloradoan expressed interest in doing something about the
Library and asked for ideas to share with the Publisher. Ralph suggested giving her
copies of the past two newsletters; if a topic peaks interest, to go with it. Also, the
Library's dependence on funding from the Friends of the Library, Library Trust, and other
funding sources to meet needs; this might stimulate donations. Rudy suggested doing
more on bilingual services that are offered; create awareness that reference help in
Spanish is only available 4 hours a week. Other topics suggested were the new
storytimes in the southeast, the possible partnership for a southeast branch, and the
upcoming capital campaign to let voters know they may be asked in April 2005 to extend
a portion of the sales tax.
OLD BUSINESS
a. May 7`" Library Taskforce Meeting - Marty Heffernan, Brenda Cams
Copies of the Alternative Library Funding presentation given to the newly formed
Library Taskforce on May 7a' were distributed to Library Board members. Various
representatives from libraries in Wellington, Berthoud, Loveland and Estes Park as well
as some of their city officials and the Larimer County Manager and Commissioner
Kathay Rennels attended the meeting. The main focus was to find out what their interest
is in exploring the following alternative funding options:
1) A Countywide Regional Library Authority
2) A Countywide Library District
3) A Library District in Unincorporated Areas (excluding present Library
Districts)
4) A Local Dedicated Tax for Library Services
5) Local Dedicated Fees for Library Services
6) Increased General Fund support for Library Services
In general, some participants were interested in learning about the options but uneasy
about how they might work. Some were not interested in a Library District and there is
reluctance from various City Councils and governing authorities to give up jurisdiction;
charging fees was not favored but not ruled out; and it was felt that if customers are
getting library services for free now, they wouldnt be receptive to paying a tax for the
same service; concern was expressed about how funds would be equitably distributed.
The County Manager said as local communities expand, unincorporated areas are
shrinking; if a District was created in the unincorporated areas, revenue would eventually
be lost. A Library Authority seemed to be more appealing and had more interest from the
group as it seems to be the most flexible mechanism to generate additional funding for
library services. Attendees expressed appreciation for bringing the group together and a
second meeting of the group will be scheduled within the next month or two.
Ralph said Fort Collins could join the Estes Park Library District; Brenda said Fort
Collins would be governed by their Board but would presumably have representation.
Bob Burns suggested using bookmobiles as an incentive for unincorporated area users;
Brenda explained there are no funds available for this service, but it could be built in the
ballot language.
Marty said next steps will include creation of a matrix and asking the Taskforce members
to bring information about unfunded library needs in their capital plans including related
Other
costs and timeframe. Ideally, Fort Collins' long term capital plan includes a new branch
in the southeast, a new downtown library and a northeast branch. Then the group will
discuss which options might help achieve their needs; if is it better to work together or
independently. Marty invited feedback from the Library Board to take to the next
Taskforce meeting.
Bob provided information from the American Library Association (ALA) Newsline about
"Tell Your Story!, a component of the ALA Library Funding Website Launched. The
site (www.ala.org/library/funding) provides important information about funding
cutbacks in libraries throughout the country. It is an anecdotal collection that allows
library advocates to submit stories of how funding issues have impacted their
communities as well as retrieve stories to share with legislators, decision -makers, and the
media.
Don said he will do some research about what has been written about successes and
failures in public library governing bodies.
Southeast Branch - Marty Heffernan
Marty said that negotiations with the Hospital System regarding a partnership agreement
continue. They are very interested in having the Library apart of their Healthy Living
Center and such an arrangement would be very workable for the City. The main issue is
operating and staff costs; however, if space can be rented to FRCC for classroom space,
the income would help pay for Library staff. There would still have to be a contribution
from the General Fund, but the project holds some exciting possibilities.
Bob Burns mentioned he would enjoy being involved with discussions with architects for
design of the facility at the appropriate time. Marty said a lot of issues will have to be
worked out before we get to that point.
Bob asked if the library would just have a medical collection at this branch; Brenda said,
although the health collection would be moved there, it would be a full-fledged library.
Marty mentioned that the past seven months have shown improved sales/use tax revenue
in general, however, salaries and some positions remain frozen. It is difficult to say when
budget cuts can be reinstated.
Rudy, Joan, and Bob attended recent Boards & Commissions training sessions offered by
the City and highly recommended these sessions to other Board members as well.
Bob brought an article from the MaylOth Wall Street Journal, "The Spirit of Liberty,"
which takes librarians to task on the Patriot Act. Copies will be distributed to the Board
at the June meeting. He also mentioned there are various national conferences Board
members might be interested in, such as, National Library Legislation Day in Washington
and the ALA Annual Meeting in Orlando.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
1714 �� ��
Marjone Teklits
Administrative Secretary