HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 01/08/1998LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting - January 8, 1998
6:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams
Acting Chairperson: Jacqueline Wallace Phone: 223-1708 (h)
A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on Thursday, January 8, 1998 in the Ben
Delatour Room of the Fort Collins Public Library. The following Library Board members were
present: Bill Cook, Edward Jakubauskas, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Jacqueline Wallace, and M.
Madeleine Wawro.
Library Board Members Absent: Jack Steele, Al Stone
Citv Staff Members Present: Brenda Cams, Marty Heffernan, Kimberley Crowley,
and Marjorie Teklits
Friends of the Library Liaison: Catherine Janonis
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Acting Chairperson, Jacqueline Wallace.
The minutes of the December 10, 1997 Regular meeting stand as written.
New member, Edward Jakubauskas was introduced and welcomed to the Library Board.
There was no correspondence to be read at the meeting.
REPORTS
A. Library Director, Brenda Cams
As the installation.of shelving continues at the Harmony Library, staff are beginning to
shelve books and materials which are being moved from storage at the Main Library and
from Mini Library shelves. A soft opening is now scheduled for Monday, January 26 and
the grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, January 11. A VIP reception
is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In response to a question regarding renting the Mini Library space, Brenda Cams replied
that the real estate agent renegotiated the tax rate with the City and feels that there is a
good chance of obtaining a renter now that the holidays are over.
Written responses to various questions asked by the Board at the December meeting were
included in their folders. The Board was asked to let Brenda know if they have any
follow-up questions.
B. Friends of the Library - Catherine Janonis
The Friends have assigned volunteers to manage their shop at the Harmony Library.
Hours of operation will be: Mondays 5:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,
Thursdays 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, the
Friends are applying for a grant in the amount of $7,800 for the Library's Summer
Reading Program. The organization currently has 1J5 members, and they are getting
information out in the community in attempt to increase membership.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Discussion of "Into the 21" Century" document - Library Board
Anne Ostrye-Macdonald presented new drafts of a "Long Range Plan for Library
Services and Facilities" and "Into the 21'` Century." A brief summary of the purposes for
---these documents and their historical background were given to the new Library Board _
member after which Board members further reviewed proposed revisions. Anne Ostrye-
Macdonald will meet with Marty Heffernan for assistance in finalizing the documents,
and it is planned to distribute them to Board members prior to the next meeting. Ed
Jakubauskas felt it important to include that, in addition to the need for more funding for
books and space, adequate staffing is also a necessity; it was pointed out that a
recommendation of staffing to a level of .5 staff per 1,000 served is stated in the "Into the
21" Century" document. Marty Heffernan informed the Board that after their approval,
the "Long Range Plan for Library Services and Facilities" document will be given to the
City Attorney's office to make sure it meets the necessary requirements, submitted to the
Planning and Zoning Board for their approval and then on to City Council for their
adoption.
NEW BUSINESS
A. New Library Site Selection Criteria - Marty Heffernan
Library Board members were asked to review site selection criteria which will be used to
narrow the search for available sites within the community for the purchase of land for a
new library. Marty Heffernan explained to the Board that criteria for both a new main
100,000 sq. ft. library as well as a 40,000 sq. ft. branch was needed. The Library Board
felt strongly that since they have in the past and will continue in the future to recommend
a 100,000 sq. ft. main library in the downtown vicinity, they prioritized criteria for a
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facility of this size as follows:
High Prioritv:
Location '/z mile from LaPorte and College Avenues.
5 to 10 acre site preferred.
Convenient parking for approximately 450 vehicles; parking can be shared with other
City parking.
Delivery access for books and materials.
Compatibility with surroundings (neighborhood, etc.)
Multi -modal access (cars, buses, bicycles, etc.)
Aesthetic Impact (a place, and ultimately a building, the community will point to with
pride.
Affordable.
Area already used by many people for commercial, retail, cultural or other activities.
Easily accessible —not dangerous access for entering and leaving site.
Adequate drainage.
Appropriate zoning.
Site should accommodate a multi -level building that is both environmentally and energy
efficient.
A site generally perceived as safe by the public.
Medium Priority:
Location within 1 mile of LaPorte and College Avenues.
Accessible to the City's Fiber Backbone.
Near Activity Center (shopping, restaurants, etc.)
Potential for expansion.
Buildable site (level ground, close to utilities, etc.)
Good daylighting (solar) potential.
Provide joint use with other public entities.
Low Prioritv:
Location north of Prospect Avenue.
Visible from main street(s).
Marty Heffernan informed the Board of the timeline for the site selection process. The Request
for Proposals February 9-27; the Library Board will review proposed sites on March 12; the
Public Open House will take place on April 2nd; the Library Board will review and recommend
top sites on April 9; and 6ity Council will review recommended sites on May 19".
OTHER:
Bill Cook asked if the County has the capability of imposing impact fees on new developments
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from which the Library could receive funds. Marty Heffernan said that he and Brenda Cams
could contact the City Attorney's office to explore the possibility of discussing it with the
County Commissioners.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
Library Secretary
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