HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - (10)LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
Retreat Meeting — November 11, 1999
6:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Michael Byrne 1 Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams
(Phone 221-6670)
Chairperson: Ed Jakubauskas
(Phone:223-7428)
A Retreat meeting of the Library Board was held on November 11, 1999 in the Community
Room at Harmony Library. The following Library Board members were present: Kris Folsom,
Carolyn Haase, Ed Jakubauskas, Rudy Maes, Mary Robertson, and Charles Robles.
Library Board Member Absent:
City Staff Members Present:
Friends of the Library Liaison:
Guests:
M. Madeleine Wawro
Brenda Cams, Michael W. Powers, Marjorie Teklits
Lary Webber
Susan Stuessie
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Ed Jakubauskas.
Funding Options — Brenda Cams
Brenda Cams' presentation provided the Library Board with information on Larimer
County Public Library funding options, descriptions of the types of public libraries
(Municipal, County, Joint) and how they are funded, and descriptions of Library and
Special Districts (Metropolitan Library Districts, Public Library Districts, Regional
Service Authority, and Scientific and Cultural Facilities Districts).
She further explained components of the City's budget to the Board and how
expenditures for library services are funded through a percentage of sales tax collections.
Susan Stuessie said that the Library Trust is being designed as a fund-raising arm of the
library. They are hoping to raise money through grants, corporate sponsors, parties and
other Trust efforts. She explained that formation of the Trust is a slow process. They
have received their 501(c)(3) status, other paperwork is being completed, and one
donation received. She welcomed suggestions and input from Library Board members.
On behalf of the Board, Ed welcomes the Trust and extended thanks to its members for
their efforts.
Members of the Library Board discussed the various funding options, and the consensus
was in favor of the library receiving dedicated funding from a percentage of City sale tax
rather than forming a library district with other Latimer County libraries or by creating a
County -wide tax which would be distributed to the city libraries.
2. Initiatives and Referrendums — Mike Powers
A handout from the City Code describing the Initiative and Referendum processes was
distributed and explained to the Board for their information.
3. Board and Director Roles — Brenda Carns
An excerpt from the City's Boards and Commissions Manual describing the Role of a
Public Library Advisory Board and comparison to a Public Library Governing Board was
distributed and discussed.
Board members explained why they enjoyed their role as Library Board members, what
they expect from themselves and from other Board members:
Having a part in increasing quality of living in the community;
Being committed to the library and literacy;
Providing a "payback" opportunity to the community;
Helping the library to be an integral part of the community, an information
connector;
Providing an opportunity to be a voice for the community, recommending issues
and being able to do something about them;
Helping students so they will be able to lead better quality lifestyles and have the
same opportunities;
Helping people in a positive way; working towards a good library which everyone
can enjoy;
Helping the library to be a positive influence on every single person who avails
themselves of its resources;
Being able to make change happen.
They defined their greatest strengths as follows:
Dedication for a good library for the community.
Diversity —all members bring something different to the table.
Board members communicate very well with each other.
They defined their role as Library Board members as follows:
The Board should represent the voice of the community and advise City Council,
The Board should be proactive.
The Board should educate the public and be library advocates.
The Board should have a clearly defined mission.
The Board speaks and agrees as a Board with one voice.
The Board is not involved with micro -management of the library.
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The Board expects the Library Director to move in the same direction and to be proactive.
As Library Director, Brenda said she expects and receives the following from the Board:
Enthusiasm.
Intelligent, organized people who believe in what they are doing.
Good ideas.
Follow-through.
Willingness to work.
Power and influence to make change occur.
Receptive to ideas and discussions.
Not judgmental.
Rich abundance of reason and rationale.
4. Discussion of Major Upcoming Priorities for the Library for 2000
A New Main Library:
Mike Powers briefly updated Board members on two potential sites.
Tax Districts
The various options were explained by Brenda in her presentation.
Diversity Issues:
The library will be putting a lot of effort into Diversity in the coming year.
The children's area is being rearranged, and Spanish language materials have been
placed in a prominent area in the front lobby.
Work will continue with the Northside Aztlan Center in promoting the library to
children.
Bilingual storytimes and outreach will continue.
Brenda was appointed CLRS representative to the City's Diversity Team.
Electronic Literacy:
The Electronic Literacy Librarian position is budgeted for 2001.
Space on the first floor of the Main Library may be converted to a computer lab,
p6ssibly to be equipped with money from Gates Foundation grants.
Partnering:
The Northern Colorado Business Report publishes our monthly Business Sense
newsletter.
In efforts to further maximize use of the library, the Genealogical Society is
teaching in the library.
Popularity of International Night at the library continues to grow.
Other opportunities to benefit through partnering will continue to be explored to
enhance the library's resources and the services provided.
Library Board members would like to see
Increased use of the meeting rooms by the general public.
Increased use of the library in general.
Increased collaboration with businesses, civic groups and non-profit
organizations.
A coffee shop in the Main Library.
A Centennial celebration of the library in 2000.
The Friends would like to see:
Increased membership.
Increased involvement by members.
Increased advocacy on behalf of the library.
It was agreed that priorities of the Library Board, the Friends of the Library, and the
Library Trust should all be related and on the same track.
They agreed the two main goals are to work towards a new main library with adequate
funding for its operation and maintenance and to maintain a library budget until then that
provides enough resources to satisfactorily serve the public.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
Administrative Secretary