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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 09/08/2005ri LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES REGULAR MEETING — SEPTEMBER 8, 2005 6:00 P.M. Council Liaison: Ben Manvel Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams (Phone 221-6670) Chairperson: Ralph Olson (Phone: 898-0863) A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on September 8, 2005 in the Ben Delatour Room of the Main Library at 201 Peterson Street. The following Library Board members were present: Don Oehlerts, Ralph Olson, Melissa Pattison, and Mary Robertson. Library Board Members Absent: City Staff Members Present: Council Liaison Friends of the Library Liaison: Visitors: Bob Bums, Nina Bodenhamer, Molly Thompson Brenda Cams, Marty Heffernan, and Marjorie Teklits Ben Manvel Sharon Bleicher Jean Blaylock, League of Women Voters The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Ralph Olson. Melissa Pattison moved to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2005 meeting; Don Oehlerts seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Correspondence: Copies of a recruitment flier from the City Clerk's office seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the various Boards and Commissions were distributed. Brenda encouraged Board members to share the information with people they know who might be interested in serving. Copies of recent newspaper articles about the City's budget process and the Annie Walk were distributed. Reports/Presentations: a. Director's Report - Brenda Cams Brenda thanked Nina Bodenhamer, Molly Thompson and Bob Burns for volunteering to be contest judges at the Annie Walk & Pet Fest event on August 27`h. She especially ., thanked the Friends of the Library for sponsoring this annual fundraising event. Valued Friends volunteers at the event this year were Jean Pemberton, Terri Sullivan, Betty and Darryl Sherman, Lil and Hugh Price, Denise and Mike Esposito, Sharon and Brigette Bleicher. Final offers were submitted for the 2006/2007 budget on August 26. The Library's situation is basically the same as what was reported last month, with reductions totaling $307,000. Staff reductions include a FTE Teen Librarian position (which was vacated last year), a half time classified Library Assistant position, a half time hourly Library Assistant position and a full time Library Assistant position reduced to half time. In addition, each Library will close 4 hours a week (3 hours Saturday mornings at Harmony Library and 3 hours Thursday evenings at the Main Library plus closing one hour earlier Fridays at both). These times are considered to be the least busy and will, therefore, create less impact on public service. A copy of the proposed budget which the City Manager submitted to Council is available in the Library and will soon be available online as well. Thus far this year, the Library has checked out 61,914 more items when compared with the same time a year ago. It is anticipated that, by the end of the year, circulation will increase by 200,000 items over 2004. Summer Reading Program attendance slightly exceeded last year; 6,271 children participated and 68.5% completed the program. A check in the amount of $3,000 was presented to the Colorado Search and Rescue Dog organization, representing extra hours read by children for this year's Readers to the Rescue program. The money was generously donated by the Library Trust and local Rotary Clubs to encourage kids to keep reading. Library Systems Administration performed an overhaul of the computer system which required the Library to close on August 10`h. The result is not only improved speed but also the ability to perform more extensive operations. b. Friends of the Library — Sharon Bleicher Sharon also thanked the Annie Walk volunteers and said it was a very nice event. The next big event for the Friends is the annual fall used book sale at Foothills Mall October 7-9. Unfortunately, the Friends had to pay the Mall $1,500 for use of the space this year. The Friends are looking forward to the event and hoping for a good turnout. She invited Board members to volunteer if they are available. Old Business a. Alternative Library Funding — Marty Heffernan Council is scheduled to review the various funding options at their November 22"d Work Session. Marty believes the timing for this meeting is good as budget discussions will have been completed. He invited Ralph to join him and Brenda for their presentation. Feedback from the Mayor and Karen Weikunat suggests that more directive from staff, Al f more pros and cons of the alternatives, and more concrete information about the options are needed. Ben Manvel added that information, such as, what areas and what taxes would be involved would be helpful. Marty said Council will be asked if they want to move forward with either a Library Authority or Library District. Mary Robertson said she met with the City Manager last week and, even though a District concept changes the governance of the Library, he did not seem to have any objections if that is the option Council decides to pursue. He would like to be informed as to why the Board and Library staff feel a District is the better option. With regard to boundaries for a District or Authority, Melissa asked if Poudre School District boundaries were followed, would that exclude any current users. Brenda said it might exclude Loveland. Their Council was hesitant to embrace the concept and their residents tend not to vote for tax increases, however, they can always choose to join at a later date if they wish. Estes Park and Red Feather Lakes would be excluded as they are already operating as Districts and are satisfied with the way things are going. Estes Park still receives a small amount from their city, too. Marty added that it is appropriate for the Library Board to define their position for Council to consider on November 22nd, perhaps in the form of a memo. It will be important for the Board to say why the District route is more desirable, if they feel that it is. There are a lot of different things going on, and there will be other funding issues to ( compete with. Ralph suggested a one -page memo explaining the best five reasons. Melissa volunteered to put together a draft for approval at the next meeting. Mary suggested two points for the memo: to consider not including Loveland in a proposed ballot question and why and including a statement about a transition period with continuing support from the City which would decrease over time. Ben Manvel asked about District financing; Brenda said a District is funded by property taxes but the City could still choose to supply sales tax revenue as is done in Estes Park. Ben said the idea of the Library having its own funding source is appealing but increasing taxes can be a tough sell. Ralph agreed most older residents hesitate to vote for an increase in taxes, however, the recent survey conducted by the Friends of the Library is encouraging because it revealed support by older residents. Marty added that there are over 40 Districts in the State, so it seems to work. Brenda felt it is important that the Library not get lost in the City funding shuffle. The Library has endured budget cuts of over one half million dollars since 2002, and the future as part of the City doesn't look all that good. If the quality of the Library erodes as time goes by, there becomes less likelihood that the public will vote for a Library funding issue. New Business a. Building On Basics (BOB) — Mary Robertson Mary said a Friends of BOB group has been formed by supporters of the issues being put before the public at this November's election. They meet every Friday at noon at the Chamber of Commerce building. She encouraged everyone to get involved, whatever side of the issues they are interested in. Other: She added that the League of Women Voters is doing an informative Cross Currents show at the Chambers regarding Referendum C and D. Ben Manvel mentioned that the public is able to provide their input about the proposed 2006/2007 budget at the September 20 and October 4 Council Meetings. He said that Council members welcome this input which is influential in their decision making process. Copies of the proposed document are available at the Library. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MadoriVTeklits Administrative Secretary