HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 11/10/1994•CITY OF FORT COLS
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
Light and Power Conference Room
700 Wood Street
November 10, 1994 - 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD -- Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Chairperson, Madeleine Wawro, Linda
Knowlton, Alan Bednarz, Le Moyne Anderson
ABSENT- Al Stone, Karen Dornseif
CITY STAFF -- Linda Saferite, Barbara Surber, Larry Webber, Ellen Willis, Robert
Holzfaster, Carol Clemons, Dean Willms, Sue -Ellen Jones, Rheba
Massey, Mike Powers
LIBRARY LIAISON -- Ann Azari
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY LIAISON -- Shirley Chase
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by the Chair, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald. The minutes of the
October 20, 1994 meeting stand as written.
REPORT: Council Liaison
Mayor Ann Azari reported on the efforts being made and what will be said at next weeks meeting with Poudre
R-1 School Board. Our intention is to work with the School Board and show them the City is interested in
using Old Fort Collins High School as a Library and Youth Facility. The School District has not yet evaluated
what it's own needs may be. This building is in a desirable location and she stressed the need to be very
diplomatic at Monday nights meeting. Hopefully, this meeting with the School Board Members, will allow
citizen comments that will help them to make a decision in the City's favor in January or February.
Linda distributed two flow charts that showed the library's progression to 1999 and noted that to get a Citizens
Election, the timing must be right.
Ann listed many other agencies that are also interested in Old Fort Collins High and Anne Ostrye-Macdonald
suggested that the dignified use of this building such as a library, would be useful as a promotion and using
it right away with programming, youth and recreation but stressed the interior is the focus for use. Anne
reported that some Council Members would like the School District to take the lead and to encourage that on
Monday night.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter written by Mayor Azari to the Poudre R-1 School Board Members was distributed.
REPORTS
- On The Job With - Rheba Massey
Linda Saferite introduced Rheba Massey, Local History Librarian to present her "On The Job With" report.
Rheba is from Wyoming and enjoys local history very much. She works with many of the volunteers doing
research on families properties, homes and schools. One of Rheba's goals is to educate people so they can
research genealogies, etc. Rheba passed around information sheets that she has coordinated to help people
gather mapping, environment assessments, and genealogy research. Rheba noted that other city departments
need to be contacted to get additional information. Local History is now doing oral history's of World War
II veterans and will be integrating these histories into the Museum's display. Many people are interested in
volunteering in Local History and they have been very helpful in establishing a wonderful collection. Metal
shelving will soon be added to help with storage of this collection.
- General Report - Linda Safe►
Shirley Chase reported that the proceeds from the Friends Of The Library bouksale came to just under $13,000.
Library staff are most appreciative of the approved request of:
Summer Reading Program $5,000
Employment Recognition 100
Staff Development 3,000
Unabridged books on tape 2.000
$10,100
Linda reported that the Lions Club is helping with ADA requirements and have purchased a TDD for the
Hearing Impaired for the Library. They have also purchased an audio enhancer and the library staff are
pleased to have these additions.
Sue -Ellen Jones presented another report on Library Standards. She handed out information and noted some
changes. As she went over these, she explained how the information was gathered. She noted that Fort Collins
does fall well below in comparisons to the circulation figures of the national average compared on other
libraries of our size. All thanked Sue -Ellen for her well prepared report and the many hours she has spent to
compile it.
Ellen Willis passed around a customer survey sample asking the public for input on checking out art ptcuc.
She suggested starting this survey on December 1 and to run it for a longer period of time. Art Prints may
not be a library service that can be continued. There have been complaints and the survey was suggested by
a "How'd we do" form. The collection is being weeded out and is an expensive collection to maintain. A very
good "Books On Tape" collection could be expanded with this additional funding. It was suggested that a
yearly unbiased survey could be done. Lee suggested using the CSU Statistical Lab to assist in developing the
survey.
- How'd we do's
There was discussion on the date stamp request and it was suggested that a hand written date may work until
people get accustomed to this new equipment.
- Mini Library Update
Front Range Community College has asked us to wait and offered a possible 30,000 square feet of permanent
space. This would be funded by the State and they would dedicate it. Linda explained on a flow chart, a 3rd
party review. Mike Powers explained how these positions could come about and said that it would take six
months minimum. There are many steps and hurdles that could stop the process.
The IGA was almost signed before there was a decision to wait. Options are being discussed and there has
not been a press release yet. A meeting is being held next week and this will tell a lot. Front Range
Community College feels they do not want to damage chances yet. Anne expressed concern in waiting to let
people know.
Linda and Larry met with Rocky Mountain High School today and they are encouraged about an interim or
permanent shared use. A commercial building across from Rocky Mountain High is also a possibility to lease.
Mike Powers feels that a rash decision would be harmful and suggested to wait it out a while longer. It was
asked what prompted the change of mind and Mike explained it was a report indicating Front Range needed
a larger school library. Linda wants to wait a week before sending out a press release.
7
Anne noted that she is concer*about opening in 1995 and waiting *onths. Linda feels that regardless,
it will be at least six months and probably winter of 1995 before opening. The Library Board Chair, gave
direction to make this information Public.
- Refurbishing Update
Ellen Willis reported on the library refurbishing project and passed around photos of work in progress in the
administration office. She is concerned and will monitor the time schedule of each phase of this project. The
decision to get a quotation from a bookstack mover has been made. The library will be closed again on
December 1 and also the week of December 19-26. The check -in room, when finished, will assist the check -in
staff. An order will be placed next week for the circulation desk and she has met with the signage consultant
today. The new signage will meet with the ADA requirements and there will no longer be banners above each
service desk. Ellen reported that new recliners arrived for the employee staff lounge.
OLD BUSINESS
- Old Fort Collins High School - Library Use
Mike Powers stressed that this is still a sensitive issue.
- Long Range Plan
This is still in progress .
- Library Fund Advisory Committee
Anne could not attend the meeting this month and asked for another Board Members to take her place on this
committee. Al Bednarz offered to look at it and will give his decision at the next meeting.
- Service Hours
As requested at the October Board meeting, a library survey was done to poll viewpoints and opinions on
changing the library hours. The library is aiming for consistency and after consideration, the board decided
to be open at 10:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and closing at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 5:00 p.m. on
Saturday.
NEW BUSINESS
- Library Board 1995 work plan
The 1994 work plan has mostly been accomplished. Anne handed out a draft for the 1995 work plan and asked
the board to review. Anne explained that this will be going to City Council to adopt. All members agreed to
accept the draft with a few adjustments. It was agreed to table Goals and Objectives until next months meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Surber
Library Secretary
BJS/
3