HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 10/10/1996e a •
11 Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland 11 Staff Liaison: Linda Saferite 11
Chairperson: Jack Steele Phone: 225-0877 (h) 11
A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on Thursday, October 10, 1996, in the Ben Delatour Room
of the Fort Collins Public Library. The following Library Board members were present: Bill Cook, Anne
Ostrye-Macdonald, Jack Steele, Jacqueline Wallace, and M. Madeleine Wawro.
Board Member absent: Al Stone
Staff Members Present: Linda Saferite, Mike Powers, Ellen Willis, Dean Willms, Pat Doughty,
Marjorie Teklits
Friends of the Library Liaison: Leslie Diverdi
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Jack Steele. The minutes of the September
11, 1996 meeting stand as written.
CORRESPONDENCE
A copy of Linda Knowlton's resignation from the Library Board was shared with Board members. Jack Steele
asked Board members to call him if they are interested in filling her position on the Library Fund Committee.
A. Library Director
1. On the Job with Pat Doughty, Acting Program Administrator-Children's & Media: Recap of
the Summer Reading Program.
The Fort Collins Public Library was awarded first prize in the large library division for its Summer
Reading Program by the Colorado Library Association and Econo Clad Books. 6,023 children
registered for the reading program, an increase of I1% over last year. Total attendance for all
programs reached 9,826, a 17% increase over last year. 63.7% of the children registered at the Main
Library, 29.4% at the Mari Library, and 6.9% registered at LINC sites. A majority of the participants
for the programs live in the 80526 and 80525 zip code areas, and nearly 30% of the children were of
preschool age. The Friends of the Library were the major supporter of the program, and prizes for
registered children were donated by the Fort Collins Nursery, Gulley Greenhouse, City departments
and local bookstores.
2. General Report - Linda Saferite
Copies of information concerning "Technology Learning Grant and Revolving Loan Fund" from the
Colorado Department of Education State Library and Adult Education Office were distributed. A
meeting to discuss the possibility of applying for a grant to build on our current linkages will be
scheduled with the Poudre School District and Front Range Community College. Anne Ostrye-
Macdonald volunteered to assist with grant preparation.
A second draft of a press release advising the public that tax forms will no longer be available at the
Library was distributed.
A bilingual English/Spanish storytime was held in September and more are planned for October and
November.
Thanks to the LINC program, the Library is partnering with Poudre High School in offering a series
of free Technology Talks for those interested in learning about search strategies on the World Wide
Web. Sessions will be held at the Library as well as at Poudre High School.
Due to low bookdrop usage at Preston Jr. High and Poudre High sites, LINC library staff have agreed
to service these sites and in their place a new drop site has been opened at Steele's Market on Harmony
Road.
October 31 st marks the 20th anniversary of the present Main Library building and the Friends of the
Library are paying for memento note pads for the public which will bear their logo and the Library's
logo. A press release is being prepared and plans for the event may include behind -the -scenes tours
for customers.
Copies of the article entitled "Banned books are rare in Fort Collins" which appeared in the October
1st edition of The Coloradoan were distributed. It highlights the nationwide celebration of people's
right to read by marking Banned Book Week.
Planning for the interior of the Harmony Library is progressing and campaigns for donor opportunities
will be discussed.
3. "How'd we do's?"
In answer to a customer's request that Library hours be posted near the street, Linda Saferite said the
Transportation department said it is not permissible due to the number of other signs indicating "5
minute parking, ADA parking, etc. Another customer requested the Library purchase more unabridged
audio books, and Ellen Willis explained, although unabridged versions are more expensive than
abridged, the Library tries to keep an even balance of both types. In answer to the question concerning
petitioners in front of the Library, Linda Saferite said we have not had any previous complaints and that
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these groups are reminded not to block the flow of traffic in and out of the building and not to
antagonize customers in any way.
A. Friends of the Library Report - Leslie Diverdi
The October 4-6 used book sale grossed approximately $16,200, an increase of $3,000 over last year.
Expenses for the event were approximately $2,000. At a recent meeting, the Friends discussed the
possibility of promoting their organization as well as a new Main Library to the public in the Library
on weekends. The Children's department is planning puppet shows on November 20 and 21 to thank
the Friends for their support of chddren's programs.
B. Capital Improvement Program
Anne Ostrye-Macdonald gave a brief presentation at the September 24th City Council Study Session
where she reviewed Library statistics and reasons why Fort Collins should have a new Main Library
as we enter the next century. Mike Powers explained to Board members that staff is preparing a
package for the City Manager who will make recommendations to City Council on October 29. From
this session, a recommended fist of Capital Improvement Projects will be taken to the public for
reaction.
A. City Council Budget Hearing Discussions
Madeleine Wawro asked if the use of some of the Library's Summer Reading Program statistics would
be beneficial to explain budgetary needs, and Linda Saferite will combine the statistics with the
feedback received from parents and children. The First Reading of the 1997 Budget is scheduled for
the October 15 Council Meeting.
B. Initial Discussion of the 1997 Work Plan
Jack Steele informed Library staff that he has asked Jacqueline Wallace and Madeleine Wawro to draft
a Work Plan which will be discussed at the November meeting.
C. Review of LINC accomplishments - Linda Saferite
A grant proposal for the next phase of the LINC program has been submitted to the anonymous donor
who has proposed matching up to $100,000 with the City and School District. Explanations of what
has been accomplished and what has been learned were distributed to Board members.
D. Other
The Library Board agreed to dissolve the Community Awareness and Capital Improvement Task
Forces and created the following four committees in their place.
1. A New Main Library Committee will help plan the pursuit and lead the effort to acquire a New
Main Library.
Members: Bill Cook, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald.
2. A Public Relations Committee will work towards increasing community awareness of the
library's needs.
Members: Jacqueline Wallace, Madeleine Wawro.
A )Yays and Means o m;ttee will suggest ways to raise additional monies for the Library and
coordinate with the Library Fund Committee and other supporters.
Members: Jacqueline Wallace, Jack Steele
4. A Technology Committee will propose and implement a plan to educate Board members on
technology.
Member: AI Stone
A Library Board meeting is planned for Thursday, December 5th. Library Board Chair Jack
Steele asked the New Main Library Committee to report on their progress at this meeting.
Anne Ostrye-Macdonald agreed to work with Linda Saferite in researching and tracking grant
possibilities.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
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