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LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting — January 14, 1999
6:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland 11 Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams
(Phone 221-6670)
Chairperson: Jack Steele
(Phone: 225-0877)
A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on November 5, 1998 in the Ben Delatour
Room at the Main Library. The following Library Board members were present: Ed
Jakubauskas, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Rudy Maes, Mary Robertson, Jack Steele, and Jacqueline
Wallace.
Library Board Member Absent: M. Madeleine Wawro
City Staff Members Present: Brenda Cams, Lu Benke, Marjorie Teklits
Friends of the Library Liaison: Larry Webber (absent)
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Jack Steele. The minutes of the
November 5, 1998 Regular Meeting stand as written.
CORRESPONDENCE
Copies of the November 30, 1998 memo from Cheryl Olson, Chair of the Board of County
Commissioners, to the Mayor and Council regarding the County's contribution to library services
was distributed to Library Board members. It states that the County does not anticipate being in
a situation to contribute additional funds for outside agencies, such as libraries, and the more
probable scenario will be future reductions in funding levels below current amounts. It also
states that a library district which included areas beyond the municipal boundaries would be one
solution to provide equitable funding from all users and that they also would not oppose the
alternative of imposing a fee on County residents to use the library.
Brenda Cams invited Library Board members to attend a farewell luncheon for Nancy Knepel
with the Larimer County Librarians following their meeting in Loveland on February 24'". Anne
Ostrye-Macdonald and Ed Jakubauskas expressed interest in attending, and more details will be
given to the Board when they are finalized.
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REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS
A. Director's Report — Brenda Cams
The lease for the new Technical Services site at 101 Remington has been signed. A
reception is planned probably in March, and Board members were invited to let Brenda
know if they would like a tour of the site, either as a group or individually, before the
reception. There will be room in the basement at the new location for the Friends of the
Library to sort books for their sales. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald asked how the office space
was funded; Brenda said that approval was recommended by the City Manager in the
1999 budget and approved by City Council. Jack Steele asked if the library can use any
excess money after lease expense from the amount approved or if it would have to be
returned. Brenda Cams said that the money can be used for such things as courier costs
to transport materials to and from the new site.
A new pay plan has been implemented, and most of the salary ranges for library jobs
increased significantly although actual individual increases varied. Salary increases were
limited in 1999 to 12% or less, bringing employees up in the new pay ranges to a spot
comparable to their position in the old pay range. City Council will decide next year
whether additional funds will be appropriated to raise the salaries of employees who have
not yet achieved comparable placement. Generally, Library employees seem satisfied
with the new plan and its implementation.
A City space planner is working with Francine Purdom, Lead Reference Librarian, to
arrange space on the second floor of the library to be more effective, efficient and user
friendly. In addition, the Technical Services' move off site is freeing up work space
needed by Reference staff as well as Local History. Brenda Cams stated that some of
these changes are a result of recommendations from a consultant report and are in
response to the need for more study room on the first floor. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald
asked to be kept informed as to how space is being used. Mary Robertson said that the
library should emphasize or create a vision of services that it could provide rather than
stating there is a shortage of enough space. Ed Jakubauskas said that the library needs a
long range plan or campaign to get the public's support. Rudy Maes asked how well the
media supports the library; Jack Steele said they give pretty good support. Brenda Cams
added that the brochure created by ISIS Public Relations will help show the community
what the library needs. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald suggested a session be given for new
Board members to show them what has been accomplished in the past.
A monthly meeting with Brenda Cams, Harmony Library Manager, the Front Range
Community College Librarian, the College's Facilities Director, Administrative Services
Director and other pertinent staff has been initiated to deal with problem solving
regarding services, facility or equipment.
The library is using the Internet to order some adult materials; it has been found that this
will cut down on staff time and help get new books to customers faster.
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A local consulting firm is setting up a test system for Y2K compliancy of the library's
Dynix system. If the equipment is not compliant, it will have to be upgraded.
Library Board members were encouraged to attend the Community Internet Festival at
Rocky Mountain High School on January 30".
Circulation statistics have increased 7.8% over last year; Harmony Library circulation is
about double what the Mini Library recorded, and the trend is expected to continue.
About 30,000 titles were added to Harmony's collection which now totals approximately
85,000 items.
Maria Gavier has been hired as the new Outreach Library Assistant.
Children's Library Assistant Lynn Huckins retired after twenty years service; she was a
very versatile employee who will be missed.
Interior signage is being finalized for Harmony Library. An art sculpture for the entrance
to the library is being installed this weekend, and Board members will receive an
invitation to its February 2nd dedication.
Library employees are being trained and guidelines more clearly defined on how to deal
with customers who harass staff, a problem which usually increases in the winter months.
B. Friends of the Library — Brenda Cams for Larry Webber
Jean Dietemann and Larry Webber will be representing the Friends at Legislative Day in
Denver on February 17". Library Board members Rudy Maes and Ed Jakubauskas said
they may be able to attend as well.
The Friends are having a "Mini Book Sale" at Harmony Library from February 26-28
Dorothy Bland, President and Publisher of The Coloradoan, will be guest speaker at the
Friends' February 10" meetings which will be held at noon at the Main Library and 7
p.m. at Harmony Library. Topic of discussion is "Still We Rise: The Role of the
African -American in History and Media."
The Friends are discussing projects and activities for their role in Fort Collins and with
the Library.
There is a FortFund grant opportunity dealing with fundraising for which the Friends may
apply for Annie Walk '99. Applications are due the beginning of June, and the Friends
can apply for an amount equal to half of the expenses.
C. Library Programs Update — Lu Benke
Lead Children's Librarian Lu Benke gave an overview of current happenings in the
Children's services department. Efforts to increase the community's knowledge of these
services include participation with the schools and local Rotary Clubs to promote
children and parents reading together, H.E.A.R.T. Workshops with the schools, Read
Across America, Week of the Young Child, and the Community Internet Festival.
Current Library programs include Harmony Library's first anniversary where there will
be a special family storytime with appearances by children's book character Corduroy the
Bear. An author program for adults, stories, and a fun program for children will be held
on Valentine's Day. Eight puppet show performances are scheduled for spring break and
a heavy schedule of storytimes continues weekly. Mother Goose Lapsit times have been
doubled due to popular demand, a special session for teen moms scheduled, and staff is
looking at ways to offer this popular program at the Main Library.
Outreach is another method Children's staff uses to make the library's presence known.
This includes Library Wagon visits to schools, daycares, preschools, and Headstarts. Last
year, 37 Library Link visits were made, reaching 1,112 children. Staff present a taste of
what the library can offer, such as puppet shows, songs, flannel board stories and
fingerplays. Outreach also includes multicultural programs, and the new Outreach
Library Assistant has some wonderful plans on how to reach out to different community
groups. Mary Robertson suggested visits to local companies to speak to parents about
programs which the library can offer their children.
Children's staff are also working towards maintaining quality of service; training is
ongoing; excellent public service is stressed, and staff are improving their knowledge
about reference tools. Staff are also beginning to reorganize some areas to make them
more efficient and effective; lowering the Media Desk, for example, will make library
staff more visible to children and people in wheelchairs. It is planned to move media
racks to the second floor to clear an area for improved visibility between the Circulation
and Media service desks. The resale area by the elevator will be set up with two separate
sets of shelves for a neater appearance. Seating arrangements will also improve, and
more study and reading areas for children, parents, and college students doing research
using children's materials will improve. In addition, staff morale is expected to improve
as these areas, although still somewhat crowded, will be less cluttered.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Review Work Plan and Agenda — Jack Steele
Jack Steele asked for comments concerning the 1999 Work Plan. Mary Robertson
suggested an effort to approach new Council members. Jack also distributed a list of
committees and suggested Board member participation in order to accomplish the plan.
The four committees are New Main Library Downtown Options, Library/Arts/Science
Tax District Options, Two -Year Budget Cycle Input; and Public Support.
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