HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 02/14/2002A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on February 14, 2002 in the Ben Delatour
Room of the Main Library at 201 Peterson Street. The following Library Board members were
present: Carolyn Haase, Rudy Maes, Kay Masselink, Ralph Olson, Mary Robertson, and Joan
Scheuerman.
Library Board Member Absent: Charles Robles
City Staff Members Present: Brenda Cams, Michael W. Powers, Tawnya Ernst, and
Marjorie Teklits
Friends of the Library Liaison: Joanna Lambert
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by the Chairperson, Mary Robertson.
Carolyn requested that the following be added to the January 10`h meeting minutes: "Carolyn
Haase expressed gratitude for the exemplary liaison service Mike Powers has offered as Director
of Cultural, Library & Recreational Services (CLRS) since 1986." She stated "Mr. Powers'
retirement as Director of CLRS was a great loss for Fort Collins Municipal Government. Prior to
serving as Director of CLRS, Mike Powers was Personnel Director for the City of Fort Collins."
Joan Scheuerman motioned that the minutes of the meeting be approved as amended; Ralph
Olson seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.
Correspondence
Copies of information concerning Boards and Commissions Training Classes on March 7 and
March 18 were distributed. Board members were advised that the training is open to both
existing and new Board members, and Brenda encouraged them to attend one of the sessions.
They were told they may ask Marge to register them or they may call the City Clerk's Office
directly. The registration deadline is March 1.
Copies of the February 7`n Forum article concerning Mike Powers' upcoming retirement were
distributed.
Copies of bibliographies of recommended reading for young adults prepared by the library's
Young Adult Librarian were shared.
Other informational items included in Board folders were copies of the new Boards and
Commissions Manual, the High Plains Regional Library Service System newsletter, and the
library's Business Sense newsletter.
Reports/Presentations
a. Director — Brenda Cams
Brenda reported that staff will be involved in the "Read On! Fort Collins: A shared
Community Experience" event. Some recent articles appearing in the newspaper about
the program were distributed.
Joanna Lambert, representing the Friends of the Library, and Ralph Olson, representing
the Library Board, will join Brenda at the February 21 Legislative Day workshop in
Denver. Brenda invited other Board members to join them or to contact their legislators
about library issues.
b. Friends of the Library - Joanna Lambert
The Friends have given the library $43,710 for items on the annual request list. The
money will be used primarily for the Summer Reading Program, staff development and
training as well as provide funds for many other library needs. Library staff are extremely
appreciative of their generosity and excited about the opportunities this funding presents.
The Friends hosted Harmony Library's 4`" Anniversary Celebration. Everyone had a good
time, especially all the children who enjoyed storytimes and the treats which the Friends
provided. The gift shop took in $500 that day. The Friends are also sponsoring the
library's entry in this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 16`n
Lu Benke's presentation about the children's Summer Reading program at the Friends
February 13`n meeting was thoroughly enjoyed. This year's theme is "Wild About
Reading." The Young Adult Librarian also spoke about plans for the young adult
program.
The Friends mid -winter book sale is scheduled for March 8-10 at Harmony Library. Last
year's winter sale took in over $11,000, and the Friends are hoping to do as well this year.
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C. Committee Reports:
County/State/National -
Due to Charles' absence, a report was not available.
City Council Relations - Rudy Maes
There was nothing new to report at tonight's meeting.
Children's/Young Adult Services - Carolyn Haase
Carolyn attended a breakfast reception for retiring librarian Pat Doughty on January 16s'.
She reported the festive event included a special puppet show created by Children's
Library Assistant Giny McConathy with staff puppets made by Marge for the program.
Carolyn was kind enough to take many photographs for Pat and sent a letter to the City
Manager, who later acknowledged her letter, complimenting the library staff on their
entertaining and creative programs. Joanna Lambert represented the Friends at the event.
Carolyn attended Harmony Library's 4" birthday celebration and patronized the book sale
at the Friends' Gift Shop. She also reported that staff presented a superb presentation of
the Summer Reading Program at the Friends February 13d' meeting, and that such a
presentation would be excellent for a library promotional program as would a puppet
show similar to the one created by staff mentioned above. New Bilingual Library
Assistant Pamela Piesman was introduced at the Friends meeting as well.
Carolyn shared copies of a February 9 h article written by Loveland's Library Director Ted
Schmidt which appeared in the Reporter Herald. It concerns "Libraries looking to the
future" and mentions that a 10-Year Master Plan will be presented to their Council on
February 26`".
Carolyn also informed Board members of the library's upcoming Teen Poetry Contest and
a scrapbook program for teens. Representing the Children's/Young Adult Services
committee for the Board, Carolyn has appreciated the opportunity to become acquainted
with the children's staff this past year. She feels a stronger sense of enthusiasm about this
department which will remain with her during her tenure on the Board; she also
encourages other Board members to take a turn at this committee experience.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Library Options - Brenda Cams
Brenda distributed a draft memo with information of options which have been identified
by staff for future library expansion designed to meet the present and future needs of Fort
Collins' estimated population until 2015. The four models are:
A) A City Building Scenario: a 73,000 s.f. Civic Center Library with a 42,000 s.f.
Southeast Library and a 30,000 s.f. existing Harmony Library for a total library
system of 145,000 s.f.
B) Main Library Expansion: a Main Library expansion to 73,000 s.f., a 42,000 s.f.
Southeast Library, and the 30,000 s.f. existing Harmony Library for a total library
system of 145,000 s.f.
C) Community Libraries: the existing 33,000 s.f. Main Library, the existing 30,000 s.f.
Harmony Library, a 60,000 s.f. Southeast Library, a 10,000 s.f. West Central Library,
a 10,000 s.f. East Central Library, and a 10,000 s.f. North Library for a total library
system of 153,000 s.f.
D) A Regional Library: the existing 33,000 s.f. Main Library, the existing 30,000 s.f.
Harmony Library, and an 82,000 s.f. Southeast Library for a total library system of
145,000 s.f.
A local charitable trust has mentioned an opportunity that could assist in making a library
in the Southeast a reality in a reasonable amount of time, and discussions about the
venture with them continue. It is not known at this time whether the public would want
or support this option nor have all cost considerations which would be involved been
evaluated.
A main library in the Civic Center area would add to the vitality of the downtown area, an
issue which cannot be overstated. It would allow the administrative and technical
services functions to be at one site for staff efficiency and cost savings, provide space in
one location for more and larger specialty collections, the space would enable the library
to meet the goal of 4 books per capita, and historical archives would remain near the
Museum.
Carolyn asked if industrial park sites are a viable option. Brenda said branch libraries
usually do well when in or near shopping centers so that the public can combine their
visits with multiple purposes.
What needs to be decided is the structure that best meets the needs of our growing
community and the sequencing of new facilities. Costs for construction and operation of
the facilities need to be identified.
Using a map of Fort Collins, Brenda indicated that city libraries ideally serve a 2 to 3 mile
radius and should require no more than 15 minutes travel time by car or bus. The color -
coded map also indicated population densities, an issue to consider when planning to
serve future growth.
Mary Robertson added that a citizen's group has met every few weeks to discuss various
library development possibilities that might exist. Carolyn suggested that a person with
real estate background would be an excellent addition to the citizen's group.
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As mentioned at previous meetings, Library Board members are in the process of going to
neighborhood meetings to gather information of what library services the public wants.
Ralph Olson attended a recent neighborhood meeting consisting of about 30 citizens and
was informed by the group that they felt last November's library ballot issue failed
because of the bundling aspect with other issues and that it was too much to spend in light
of the present economy. He told the group he would like to hear back from them about
their feelings on the different library models mentioned above. They may be able to
provide information about them to their members in their neighborhood newsletter, and
Ralph asked their contact person to call him. The group was appreciative that they were
being asked to give their input regarding a City issue.
Mary also attended another neighborhood meeting and some members of the group said
they would prefer library branches in schools rather than in the downtown area which is
too congested and could require paid parking. They didnt like the fact that they weren't
asked about a downtown site. They felt the Imagine campaign wasn't truthful with the
public; they just want facts so they can decide for themselves. Along those lines, Mary
suggested a strong "Did you know...." campaign educating the community about little-
known but important facts and statistics about the library; for instance, the group she
spoke with wasn't aware that the Children's library program this past summer was an
award -winner. The group Mary met with offered to include a survey in their newsletter.
Mike Powers mentioned that the City is putting together a survey and that it might be
possible to include some questions on library services. It is hoped to have the survey
done before March 26 h, the date of a Council study session on library issues. Ralph and
Mary offered to help with possible survey questions.
Mary asked Board members for suggestions for a community information campaign.
Information facts about the library could be put on Cable Channel 27 in the form of
"floating bubbles," screen savers on library computers, included with monthly City utility
bill informational newsletters, newspaper articles, school and college newsletters,
working with a public relations contact from the school district, and inclusion on the
Read Fort Collins web site. Mary said the goal is to get information to the community
and, if information about library needs is widely distributed, there will be a lot of public
support. Also suggested was that staff put together a community survey about future
library services. Ralph, Joan, and Kay volunteered to be members on a public relations
committee for the Library Board. The committee was asked to present some strategies at
the next Board meeting.
Ralph asked Brenda for an estimate of costs involved with the various models, including
those related to operations and remodeling, by the next Board meeting.
Carolyn added that obstacles to expanding library services at this time include extreme
conservative civic spending, an unsettled economy, and war.
Mary said that it should be made known to the newspaper that the Board is trying to
gather public input; they might be interested in attending some of the community
meetings as well. Perhaps a blurb in the paper could ask people to respond to surveys
because the library is very interested in their opinions. Brenda asked the newly formed
pubic relations committee to formalize the process.
Survey results could be presented at the March 26 h Council study session. Council could
be provided information, perhaps in a PowerPoint presentation format with bulleted
items, to consider for the next election. Some of the data on the various models could be
included, and Council Members would have the opportunity to ask questions about the
issues.
NEW BUSINESS
b. Nominating Committee for Election of Officers
Carolyn Haase and Rudy Maes volunteered to be the nominating committee for the
election of officers which will take place at the March meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
Administrative Secretary