HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 11/03/2005LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — NOVEMBER 3, 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 November 3, 2005 in the Ben Delatour
Room of the Main Library at 201 Peterson Street. The following Library Board members were
present: Nina Bodenhamer, Robert Burns, Don Oehlerts, Ralph Olson, Melissa Pattison, Mary
Robertson, and Molly Thompson.
City Staff Members Present: Brenda Cams, Lu Benke, Carson Block, Ken
Draves and Marty Heffernan
Friends of the Library Liaison: Absent
Visitor:
Carol Rush, 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 October 13, 2005 meeting; Bob Burns seconded the motion,
and it was unanimously approved.
Correspondence:
Copies of Mark Brophy's opinion article about alternative funding for libraries were shared.
Reports/Presentations:
a. Director's Report - Brenda Cams
Library Systems Administration staff are exploring wireless internet access for customers
and hope to have it implemented next summer.
Statewide courier service was temporarily suspended but has since been restored and
customers quickly returned to their high level of Prospector usage. The local courier
decided to double their price for local deliveries, mainly because the library is its only
client on the weekends. Therefore, the library will try a modified schedule which will
only impact Sunday delivery service and will not result in a price increase.
b. Friends of the Library — Brenda Cams
As a representative from the Friends was not able to attend tonight's meeting, Brenda
reported that the Library has asked the Friends for $93,000 for 2006, mostly to cover
programs, such as the summer reading programs.
Old Business
a. Building on Basics (BOB) — Marty Heffernan
Marty said City staff are extremely pleased with the voter approval of Issue 2A as it
shows that citizens feel local government works, are willing to reinvest in the
community, and trust us for future needs. To get 72% of the voters approval is
astounding. The results will bring $22 million into the Service Area, including ten years
of technology funding for the Library. It is nice to have stability in this fundamental
aspect of the Library's budget, and other CLRS projects are positively impacted as well.
b. 2006/2007 Budget — Marty Heffernan
Last night City Council adopted the City Manager's recommended budget on First
Reading. It is unlikely it will change for the Second Reading. Some additional services
were funded, and City employees will be eligible for raises. The reduction in hours at the
Library will go into effect in January.
C. 2006 Work Plan — Ralph Olson
For the Annual Report, Objective 1 from the 2005 Work Plan has been achieved.
For the 2006 Work Plan, The Board will:
Pursue a more equitable funding model for library service.
. Recognize community volunteer efforts and spotlight the benefit derived from the 7.32
full time equivalent volunteers.
Address the Library's impact in legislation.
. Encourage Council to support Library District development and help pass a District
proposal.
Continue with policy developments and technology developments.
Work to reinstate full hours of operation.
Advocate for sufficient resources to reinstate service levels to 2005.
Review the Board Work Plan on a quarterly basis.
d. Library Alternative Funding Study Session
Bob Burns said he would like to submit a motion regarding the formation of a Library
district. He said the Board has been talking about it for a number of years and it is time
to submit a resolution. He said Brenda has presented the alternatives, and the Board
should take a position on the District option and move forward with it. Options are
limited, and the Board has heard what those options are. He said he believes the Board is
well informed and ready to vote on this matter.
Bob made the following motion:
The Board of the Fort Collins Public Library wishes to bring the following motion to the
attention of the members of the Fort Collins City Council:
WHEREAS, over 49 Library District's have been formed in Colorado to address the
problems created by growing populations and shrinking resources; and
WHEREAS, these Districts provide for regional as opposed to purely local strategic
planning to serve growing populations more efficiently; and
WHEREAS, this form of governance allows those who benefit to determine how much
they are willing to pay and the level of service they are willing to adopt; and
WHEREAS, such Districts provide financial stability with funds dedicated to library
purposes because they are property tax based and less subject to economic downturns;
and,
WHEREAS, Such Districts are governed by an appointed board which has responsibility
for setting library policies, approval of the budget, and general oversight responsibilities,
THEREFORE, I move that the Fort Collins Public Library Board recommend to City
Council the formation of a Library District for the Fort Collins Public Library.
Melissa Pattison seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.
In addition, Mary Robertson moved that The Fort Collins Public Library Board
recommend alternative funding include restoration of general fund levels, restoration of
recent funding cuts, funding to operate and maintain a southeast library branch, at least
one year of transitional funding at the current budget level. In addition, the Board urges
Council to consider placing the question on the November 2006 ballot.
Nina Bodenhamer seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
J
Marty Heffeman told Board members that the presentation for Council has already been
taped and that they receive DVDs prior to the meeting so that the discussion can be
focused towards asking questions, etc. As the Board's recommendation is not included in
the presentation, Ralph should be introduced and highlight what the Board has discussed
tonight. It will bring up the question of why a District is recommended over an Authority
and why the Board is making this choice.
The Board discussed several advantages, including the possibility of a broader service
area, that Authorities are an unproven alternative funding method, and that Districts have
a strong track record in Colorado.
Staff who were present at tonight's meeting were asked why they recommend a District.
Lu Benke said a Library District is so much more proven. It has a direct relationship with
citizens, and Colorado has many examples of where a Library District works. Ken
Draves said there are two templates: an Authority and a District. Both could be
successful but the District template has been used over and over again to create
successful libraries that continue to garner support from citizenry.
Ralph said he would compose a statement to address this question and distribute to Board
members prior to the Council meeting.
Other Business:
Carson Block reported on major 2005 accomplishments by the Systems Administration
staff including a network split, enabling staff access to the City intranet and email system.
Lu Benke suggested 2006 would be a good opportunity for staff members to give
presentations to the Board on different aspects of library services. Bob said he is
particularly interested in collection development policies which touch on a number of
issues including censorship and discrimination.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully mitted,
Carson Block
Sr. Network Specialist