HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 01/18/1996CITY OF FORT COLLINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
Ben Delatour Room - Fort Collins Public Library
January 18, 1996
PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD: Al Stone, Alan Bednarz, Linda Knowlton, Anne Ostrye-MacDonald,
Jacqueline Wallace, M. Madeleine Wawro
ABSENT: Jack Steele
CITY STAFF: Linda Saferite, Dean Willms, Marjorie Teklits
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY LIAISON: Shirley Chase (absent)
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Al Stone.
There was no correspondence to be read at this meeting.
REPORTS - Linda Saferite
The following staff changes were reported: Carol Bering Clemons is working as a Reference Librarian
in Reference and Adult Services; Lynda Dickson is now the Circulation and Shelving Manager; the
Shelving Supervisor position will be filled shortly.
Board members were invited to an informal celebration for the joint library approval on Monday,
January 22 at 5 p.m. at the University Holiday Inn.
Board members were asked for their editorial comments on the draft brochure which will be used in
conjunction with the library services video entitled "The Future Is Now."
A sample of the new bookplate for materials acquired with funds received from the Hispanic Services
grant was shown to the Board.
A list of Library staff goals for 1996 was shared with the Board. Areas of focus include: expanding
the young adult collection and programs at the Main Library; the design, operating budget, collection
goals, and automation for the joint library partnership; LINC/Barton; justification for a new Main
Library and a southeast branch, review of Dynix technology needs, and increasing the collection to 3
books per capita; a staff member liaison with the Library Board Community Awareness Task Force to
coordinate a Speaker's Bureau to show the library services video to the community; marketing of the
Mini Library; continued collaboration with the Library Fund Advisory Committee; 1996 budget
preparation; remodeling of the check -in room to alleviate safety concerns and the implementation of a
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consultant's recommendations of a study of the Circulation department.
The Library will host an Open House at 8:30 a.m. on February 29th when the equipment purchased by
the Lion's Club for the Assistive Technology Room will be demonstrated. Mayor Azari will be on hand
for the ribbon cutting. A luncheon to honor Library volunteers will be held at the Senior Center from
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 3. Library Board members were invited to participate at both of the
above functions.
156 new Library cards have been issued at the Mini Library since the "1/2 Year Birthday Party" which
was held on December 28th. The Mini Library has circulated 88,000 books in its first six months. The
promotion will continue through February 28.
The Library Board will be invited to join in a tour of the Children's Library and Pavilion at the Denver
Public Library some time this spring.
A flow chart outlining the Capital Improvement Programming Process and Schedule was distributed to
Board members.
A copy of the cover of the December 1995 Library Journal showing the Scottsdale Civic Center Library
was shown to the Board.
- "How'd we do's?" - Linda Saferite
A total of 956 "How'd we do?" forms were submitted by Library customers in 1995; 336 customers
who requested responses were either sent letters or received telephone calls in response to their
questions, compliments or concerns.
Among the recent "How'd we do?" forms received was a customer comment concerning shutting off
the lights at closing time. As a result, the Library's Safety Committee recommended and the Library
implemented a closing procedure whereby the second floor lights are flicked on and off prior to closing
and panel lights remain on to ensure adequate lighting for customers to make their way safely out of
the building.
- Civic Center Advisory Committee - Anne Ostrye-MacDonald
Among the participants in the 35-member committee which meets once monthly are former Council
members, business owners, a representative from the Downtown Business Authority, and a Library
Board member (Anne). Consultants are working on an architectural and landscaping design for the
Civic Center, projected for 20 years, and there will be a meeting held in March for citizen input on the
design. A letter from the Board was sent to City Council last August stating that a new Main Library
should be included in the Civic Center plans or at the Old Fort Collins High School site. Anne offered
to obtain meeting minutes for Board members and welcomed their attendance at the Community
Workshop. (Note: The next public workshop will be February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Center's
Columbine Room.)
- Library Fund Advisory Committee - Linda Knowlton
The Committee will look into having the fund's interest placed in an interest -bearing account. Plans
are to give the Library approximately $10,000 for materials in 1996. Fundraising options and how to
increase the size of the endowment will be discussed at the next meeting.
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- Library Board Work Plan
Al Stone asked for the Board's comments on the month -by -month 1996 Work Plan Schedule outline and
welcomed any additions they might have. Board members were told to contact Al or Linda if they
would like to hear about a specific library service or function.
- Customer request for reconsideration of the video A Stranger is Watching
The preliminary recommendation of the video's collection value was discussed. The normal procedure
is to have three library staff review the material prior to coaching the Library Board. Two additional
librarians will review and critique the video. Al Stone and Linda Knowlton also asked to view it. The
outcome of the re-evaluation process will be shared at the February 8 meeting.
- Retreat issues
As a result of the Library Board Retreat, it was decided to form a Community Relations Awareness task
force to increase community interaction with the Library and a Capital Improvement Program task force
to educate the public on the need for a new Main Library as well as to encourage inclusion of a new
Main Library in the next round of City Capital Improvement Projects. Jack Steele (Chair), Linda
Knowlton, and Jacqueline Wallace will serve on the Community Awareness task force, and Anne
Ostrye-MacDonald (Chair), Al Bednarz and Madeleine Wawro will serve on the Capital Improvement
Program task force. Al Stone asked each group to meet before the next Library Board meeting.
- Annual Report - Al Stone
Al Stone distributed a draft 1995 Library Board Annual Report and asked that Board members bring
their comments or revisions to the February meeting. Linda Saferite asked Al to notify the City Clerk
that the document will not be submitted on time to meet the January 31 deadline.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
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