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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 06/12/1997Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland Jack Steele Staff Liaison: Kim Crowley 225-0877 A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on Thursday, June 12, 1997, in the Ben Delatour Room of the Fort Collins Public Library. The following Library Board members were present: Bill Cook, Joanne Monath, Jack Steele, Al Stone,, and Jacqueline Wallace. Library Board Members Absent: Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, M. Madeleine Wawro City Staff Members Present: Mike Powers, Robert Holzfaster, Pat Doughty, Marjorie Teklits Friends of the Library Liaison: Catherine Janonis The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Jack Steele. The minutes of the May 8, 1997 Regular meeting stand as written. CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence to be read at this meeting. REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS A. Acting Library Director - Pat Doughty Pat Doughty gave the Acting Library Director's report for Kim Crowley. The new Library Director, Brenda Carns, is scheduled to start on Monday, June 16. Jack Steele will meet with her on July 8th, before the next Board meeting. The Library was awarded two Library Services & Construction Act (LSCA) grants. The "Library Services and Facilities Public Relations Project" represents an award of $22,600. The project addresses the need for increased fundraising activity and advocacy support. It is a public relations campaign that targets local businesses, professional organizations and potential corporate sponsors to inform them of the economic and cultural advantages in their funding and general support of the public library as well as to expand their knowledge of library services that could effectively work for their business, profession, or corporation. Brenda Carns will be the Project Director. The second grant, "Archive Access Initiative" represents an award of $13,860. The Library's Local History Archive is responsible for the collection, preservation, and dissemination of information pertaining primarily to Fort Collins and Larimer County and, more generally, to the State of Colorado. Through the use of computer database tools, digital imaging, and emerging Internet technology, the "Archive Access Initiative" seeks to document the content and increase the accessibility and utilization of the Local History Archive. Rheba Massey, the Library's Local Historian, will be the Project Director. The first Project Director's meeting will be on Friday, June 20th. Joanne Monath asked what role the Library Board will have with the public relations grant, and Jack Steele said it will be one of support. Monday, June 9th, brought record -setting year-to-date Circulation statistics at the Main Library with 5,213 check-outs, 3,512 check -ins and 27% usage of the Self -Check machines. Between 2-3:00 p.m. there were 742 items checked in and 838 items checked out. Year-to-date outreach statistics showed that 1,571 books have been placed on Yellow Shelves, the Outreach Coordinator has traveled 1,197.8 miles, has made 237 homebound calls delivering,1,555 items to the homebound. Summer Reading Program registration started a week ago and over 2,500 children have signed up for the program thus far. Major programming starts on June 16 and nine school library LINC sites will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9-12:00. Registration at the Mini Library is also progressing very well. B. New Main Library Committee - Bill Cook Anne Ostrye-Macdonald and Bill Cook feel it is apparent that the Library Board needs to make a commitment to a new Main Library and its location. They believe that once determined, a conscious effort at fundraising and publicity would be more successful and needed community/political support would follow. It would be a multi -year project with most of the effort being spent on developing partnerships and a community base of support. The following new Main Library options were briefly discussed: 1) Building a New Main Library as part of a Civic Center plaza; it would include a partnership with One West Art as a library/art center in the downtown area. 2) Remodeling and expanding the Main Library to the Museum and partner with the Museum for a Library/Local History Museum Plaza which would be surrounded by a pedestrian plaza extending to Old Town; parking could be expanded at the corner lot which is owned by the City. Creating partnerships with the business community and the non -performing arts are two means of providing a base that could lead to general community and funding support. Jack Steele said that creating partnerships might help to achieve either of these options much quicker than if the Library were to go it alone. 2 A proposed action plan includes: 1) the organization of a focus group, which could include business people young professionals, the art community and civic leaders, to undertake a discussion of how to influence public opinion; 2) using the LSCA funding to publicize the library options to the business community as part of the public relations campaign; 3) two "Breakfast Seminars," one for the arts community and one for the business community, and City Council Members with discussions on how a new Main or expanded Main Library would help develop downtown business and how it could increase community interest in the non -performing arts; 4) a "discussion" partnership with the Museum and Library Board to discuss how a library and museum could be combined; 5) a "discussion" partnership with One West Art to promote a non-profit art gallery within a new Main Library; and, 6) meetings with new Council Members and the Library Board to learn their feelings about a new Main Library. Bill Cook suggested a meeting with Anne Ostrye-Macdonald and Jack Steele before the next Board meeting to discuss new Main Library options. Mike Powers mentioned that the CIP approved land acquisitions will be presented to the public in one package. Library Board members will have an;opportunity to participate in a community process _ regarding possible locations of the land for the. different projects, and this will &t in nicely with the public relations grant effort. C. Friends of the Library - Catherine Janonis Jack Steele informed the Library Board that the Friends would welcome any help they might be able to offer in sorting books for the annual sale. OLD BUSINESS A. Forming a Library District - Jack Steele Jack Steele asked the Board for their opinions on forming a Library District. Al Stone thought it would be a good idea as the formation of a District would allow the Library to have control of its own destiny and it could serve a larger area; Jacqui Wallace said, although it seems like a lot of work, it is an interesting idea and might be a way to get a new Main Library quicker. Bill Cook added that, although he has not yet formed an opinion, he liked the idea for the reasons Al Stone gave, however, he doesn't see how it would help get a new Main Library sooner and that it would be difficult to deal with some of the other aspects involved. Jack Steele said that a continuing tax would be involved and that the local environment most likely wouldn't support it. He suggested inviting someone from a Library District to speak to the Board about the experience as well as a community who decided not to form a District in order to learn more about the pros and cons. He will ask for Nancy Knepel's suggestions. Joanne Monath asked what could happen to approved CIP money if the Library were to become a District, and Mike Powers said the issue might have to be brought to the voters. NEW BUSINESS A. Library Budget - Robert Holzfaster A question arose concerning the funding for the Harmony Library. Mike Powers told the Board he would do some research and get back to them. The following is a memo from Mike Powers detailing 3 the funding for the Harmony Library. "In an effort to be clear about the funding for the Harmony Library both in 1997 and 1998, I thought it might be helpful to describe my understanding of the situation: 1997 FundinLy The Mini Library budget in 1997 is: $266,190 The Harmony Library will open in late 1997. The funding provided to "start up" the Harmony Library and to operate it for the short time it will be open in 1997 is: $ 87,000 (A one time amount of $300,000 was provided for additional books and materials for the Harmony Library in 1997. This was part of the $2,000,000 provided by the City for construction of the new library.) 2. 1998 Funding The Mini Library will close at the end of 1997 and its budget will become part of the budget for the Harmony Library. $266,190 The funding provided to open and operate the Harmony Library in 1997 will continue into 1998. $ 87,000 A 3% inflation amount will be added to the Non -Personnel portion of the 1997 funding. $ 3,464 An additional inflation amount will be added at a later date for the Personnel portion of this budget. $ ? ? ? Additional money will be added to the Harmony Library base budget to provide "Adequate" funding for the full 12 months of 1998. (Note: The $87,000 in 1997 was added for "Adequate" funding for the Harmony Library for just the few months it will be open. Additional money is needed for the full 12 months of operation.) $206,439 TOTAL "ADEQUATE" FUNDING FOR 1998 $ 563,093+ 3. 1998 Requested. Additional Funding This amount was submitted as a "supplemental budget request' and is the highest priority request of the 45 items submitted in CLRS. This is the amount presented to the Council during the 1997 budget discussions arguing for "Full Service" funding. $164,581 0 • B. Preparing for New Library Director Jack Steele said he will talk to the new Director about her library philosophy and approach for the next few months. Bill Cook and Joanne Monath thought it is important to allow her time to meet the staff, get acquainted with the community and to ask questions. A] Stone suggested providing her with some of the papers and memos that the Board has prepared. An informal get-together was suggested after the next Board meeting. C. Next month's agenda Items for next month will include a Harmony Library update from Ellen Willis, a report on the public relations grant meeting, and discussion with the new Director. D. Other Al Stone is planning to attend the High Plains Library System's "Trustees make THE Difference" training in Greeley on August 8-9. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits