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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 05/08/19970 A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on Thursday, May 8,1997, in the Ben Delatour Room of the Fort Collins Public Library. The following Library Board members were present: Bill Cook, Joanne Monath, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Jack Steele, Al Stone, and Jacqueline Wallace Library Board Members Absent: M. Madeleine Wawro City Staff Members Present: Kim Crowley, Mike Powers, Robert Holzfaster, Marjorie Teklits Friends of the Library Liaison: Catherine Janonis Guest: Nancy Knepel, Director, High Plains Regional Library Service System The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Jack Steele. The minutes of the April 10, 1997 Regular meeting stand as written. Copies of the April 16 memo from the Mayor and City Manager thanking Library Board members for their help in passing the Building Community Choices Capital Program as well as copies of the April 17th memo from the Community Foundation granting the library $3,750, which represents the remaining current fiscal year grants distribution from the Library Fund, were distributed to Board members. On behalf of Library Board members, Jack Steele will send letters to James Ogg and Lil Price thanking them for their efforts while they served on the Library Fund Advisory Committee. REPORTSIPRES ENTATIONS A. Library Districts - Nancy Knepel Nancy Knepel spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of forming a Library District. Advantages are the library would be self-governing; it would have complete autonomy with respect 1 to making its own decisions, salaries, and benefit packages. Governance and decision making would be simplified; there would be no hierarchy to pass through. As a District, there would be no competition with other service areas for annual funding. As power rests with the governing board, the library would be independent. There would be increased funding for library services which would provide better service to the community. A library ballot issue would not have to be packaged with other items and, since the library is a service which most people support, there is a better chance for voter approval. Lastly, if people are happy with the services the library provides, the library wouldn't have to share credit for its successes. Disadvantages of a Library District are that there is no "umbrella" to cover for shortfalls or special projects; the library would have to go to the voters for more funding as there would be no higher power to go to. The library would have to go to the voters for an increase in the mill levy and, if the assessed valuation nets over the Tabor cap, the library would have to return funds. In addition, certain grant awards may fall into this category. If the library remains within the municipality, the City is able to take funds from one service area and give it to another. A Library District does not enjoy municipal support services. Voters must approve the establishment of a Library District. A Library District must decide how much it would take to run the library. The Board and staff must be more political and extremely involved in elections. A Library District would have to add staff or contract for formerly City -supplied services; it would be receiving more funds but it would have to spend more. A fact sheet showing pertinent numbers on how mill levies are calculated and how much revenue they generate, a list of services and commodities currently provided by the City, and a listing of what items the library is responsible for were distributed. Nancy stated that the main reasons libraries form Districts is that they want and need more money, and sometimes the County/Counties no longer want to be responsible for libraries. Overall, most libraries which have formed Districts are pleased with the results, however, the election process can be very tense and there is always the Tabor Amendment to worry about. Statistics show that the quality of service goes up once a library forms a District. In summary, she said that there is no one answer for all of the communities in Colorado; it is hard work to form a Library District, but quite doable if there is a good public relations plan. B. Acting Library Director - Kim Crowley Copies of a press release and the article which appeared in The Coloradoan announcing the new Library Director were distributed. "Fast Facts" statistics from the Colorado Department of Education were distributed. They show Colorado as ranking sixth in the nation on public library use in 1996. The figures also show that 50% of the people in U.S. households used a public library in the past month and 71% used it in the past year. Also distributed to Library Board members were copies of Library statistics for the month ending March 1997, copies of the April 20th Library Focus article, the Six Month Planning Calendar, and a schedule of Library Technology Talks and PAC Training Classes. The Library held a class on E genealogy searching on the Web which received positive feedback and was well attended; another session is planned at Poudre High School on May 14th. The Library was awarded a $1,200 El Pomar Youth in Community Service grant from Poudre High School. The money will be used to help fund the Summer Reading Program. In addition, the Board of Trustees of the Fort Collins Community Foundation approved a grant in the amount of $2,300 to help fund the program. Planning for the Summer Reading Program, which starts June 16, has been completed and literature about it is being distributed. Programming is more spread out this year, and ten LINC sites will be participating. The Library is providing four programs to LINC sites which will be open the same dates and hours this summer. The Library had a booth at the Cinco de Mayo Festival, and a Spanish-speaking staff member spoke about the services the Library has to offer, including the Summer Reading Program; approximately 40 people signed up for Library cards. The Community Development Block Grant program has recommended funding the Library's literacy program at $18,300, C. Grant Opportunities - Anne Ostrye-Macdonald Anne felt that grant funding is not a solution to fund raising. She felt that the Library should have a half time person to do public relations and another half time person to write grants. Excerpts from the Annual Register of Grant Support, The Big Book of Library Grant Money, and the Directory of Grants in the Humanities were routed to Board members to give them an idea of the type of grants which are available and who is offering them. She said that the Library and Museum or the Library and One West Art Center might have a better chance of obtaining a grant if they combine their efforts. The Library Service and Construction Act grants, a Federal program given through the State, will be dealing solely with technology in the future. Anne believes the Library should start defining where it wants to be in the community, to have a plan for the future, and then it will know where to search for grant funding. OLD BUSINESS A. Library Director Status - Mike Powers Mike Powers announced that Brenda Carns has been awarded the Library Director position and is scheduled to start on June 16th. B. Technology of the Future Discussion of this topic will be postponed to a future meeting. C. Focus Advisory Groups - Jacqui Wallace, Jack Steele Jack Steele said that the Library clearly needs to find a way to obtain additional support and gave a memo to the Acting Library Director to pass on to the new Director concerning the Board's recommendations for possible focus groups to promote the library to the general public and to act as advocates for the library system. The letter recommends allowing staff time for these focus groups when formulating the budget for the next year. NEW BUSINESS A. Library Fund Advisory Committee Charter - Bill Cook, Jack Steele A motion was made by Anne Ostrye-Macdonald to adopt the new charter, Jacqui Wallace seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. The new Committee, who will meet once a year, would consist of a community representative, a Library Board liaison, and a Friends of the Library liaison. B. Next Month's Agenda - Jack Steele Items for next month's agenda will include: Main Library options (Bill Cook, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald), Library District issues tie-in, a look at the 1998/99 budget, preparation for the new Director, and an Adopt -A Council Member program. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits