HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 03/10/2005LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — MARCH 10, 2005
6:00 P.M.
Marty Tharp
Chairperson: Ralph Olson
Brenda
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A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on March 10, 2005 in the Ben Delatour Room
of the Main Library at 201 Peterson Street. The following Library Board members were present:
Bob Bums, Don Oehlerts, Ralph Olson, Melissa Pattison, Mary Robertson, and Molly
Thompson.
Library Board Member Absent:
City Staff Members Present:
Friends of the Library Liaison:
Guest:
Nina Bodenhamer
Brenda Cams and Marjorie Teklits
Gwen Kelly
Jean Blaylock, League of Women Voters
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Ralph Olson. Don Oehlerts moved
to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2005 meeting; Bob Bums seconded the motion and it
was unanimously approved.
Correspondence:
With regard to the agenda item below on Library Board recommendations for the 2006/2007
budget, a copy of the Board's recommendations for the 2004/2005 budget was included in
folders for reference.
Final copies of the fourth Library Board Newsletter for City Council, copies of the Board's 2005
Committee Report schedule, and recent newspaper articles mentioning the Library over the past
month were distributed.
Revorts/Presentations:
a. Director's Report - Brenda Cams
Brenda encouraged Board members to read the written Director's Report for information
about recent accomplishments and upcoming activities.
Regarding a Southeast branch, Wild Oats Market decided not to be included in the
proposed Lifestyle Center, leaving the developer to find another suitable tenant. Working
under the assumption that the project remains on track, City staff are planning to meet
next week to talk about interior schematics for a branch library.
Between 40-50 members of the community attended a Dr. Seuss themed brunch at
Harmony Library last Sunday. Brenda thanked Mary Robertson for attending this
fundraising event put on by the Library Trust. Mary said the event was very nice, and it
was fun to meet other people in the community who were there because they love the
Library. She encouraged the other Board members to attend next year.
Brenda mentioned a book, The Price of Government, that is being used by City staff as a
guideline to establish a new way of setting budgets based on the idea that you build a
budget based on what the community wants to buy, not what used to be done. Funding
priorities will be based on justifications.
On March 8`h, each department within CLRS gave City Council presentations on what
they do and a general picture of resulting outcomes. Don Oehlerts said that since the
1850's, it seems the library has had to keep explaining what it is about. Bob Burns said it
isn't going away; you have to live with it, or find a solution. The issue of library funding
sources arose. Mary Robertson moved that a sub -committee be appointed to meet with
Marty Heffernan and Darin Atteberry after the April election to see if there is interest in a
tax district. It might be viewed as a solution for the City rather than a problem if the
grocery tax is repealed. She said it might be worthwhile having the meeting either way,
whether the tax is repealed or not. Melissa Pattison seconded the motion, and it was
unanimously approved.
b. Friends of the Library — Gwen Kelly
Gwen said the Friends have been focusing their attention on the March 11-13 book sale at
Harmony Library. They will report the results at the next meeting. Gwen also said the
Friends Shop at Harmony Library is doing well.
c. Public Relations — Molly Thompson
Ralph said Molly did a great job on the latest edition of the Library Board's newsletter.
For the next edition (June), he suggested the topic: Meet Your Board. It could include
information about how long members have served and some of their concerns.
d. Emergin Trends rends — Bob Bums, Don Oehlerts
Don feels the trend in libraries is that more and more funds are being diverted from
concrete resources (books, periodicals) to the Internet and expansion of technology.
These funds have been diverted to maintain technology and expand access to that
technology and the original purpose of libraries, to acquire books and periodicals for
clientele, is diminishing. It is a choice that is forced on us. It would be nice to have
adequate funding for both technology and print resources.
Bob commented that is an interesting follow-up about technology replacing libraries, but
he is not sure he agrees with it. Bob mentioned that Internet search -engine firm Google
and five big libraries announced plans to create a giant online reading room. He said it is
an interesting project and results in the public being served because libraries are
automating.
Important upcoming dates include:
Sunshine Week: March 13-19. The public's right of access to government
information is the main focus.
National Library Week: April 10-16
May 3-4: National Library Legislative Day; this is an opportunity for
communities to participate in legislation affecting libraries.
In addition, President Bush announced his FY 2006 budget, which includes a $15 million
increase for LSTA and level funds school libraries.
The Seattle Public Library continues to get into national press; the Wall Street Journal
calls it "A Glass Sculpture with a Library Inside"!
In conclusion, Bob said he would be very interested in joining Library Management
Team members on future field trips to learn about the design of branch libraries along the
Front Range. Brenda said staff will notify him if and when trips are planned.
New Business:
a. Board Input on 2006-2007 Budget — Ralph Olson
Ralph said technology is a priority for the next budget cycle. When you fall behind, it
is very difficult to catch up. Library service to the southeast is another priority as well
as keeping the collection current, bumping the Library up to a Tier 1 status, and
Spanish language staff capabilities. The other Board members agreed, and Ralph will
draft a reply memo from the Board regarding 2006-2007 budget recommendations for
review and approval at the April 14th meeting.
b. Grocery Tax Repeal — Mary Robertson
Mary suggested the Library Board take a position on the grocery tax issue as it makes
sense to let Council know the Board agrees with them to oppose it. She moved that the
Library Board vote to oppose the repeal of the grocery tax. Don Oehlerts seconded the
motion, and it was unanimously approved. Mary will prepare a memo for Council from
the Board stating their position and adding that the Board believes the City needs to
increase publicity about the grocery tax rebate program that is in place for low income
residents. Bob said this educational aspect is most important.
Round -Robin:
Melissa stated she will be unable to attend the April meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
271,
Marjorie Teklits
Administrative Secretary