HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 04/21/1994•CITY OF FORT COLLI•NS
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
Ben Delatour Room - Fort Collins Public Library
April 21, 1994 - 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD -- Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Chairperson, Al Stone, Sandra Webermeier,
Madeleine Wawro, Jean Dietemann, Karen Domseif
ABSENT -- Jerry Roselle
LIBRARY STAFF -- Linda Saferite, Robert Holzfaster, Mike Powers, Barbara Surber, Larry
Webber, Ellen Willis, Carol Clemons, Bob Copeland
LIBRARY LIAISON -- Ann Azari - absent
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by the Chair, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald.
There was no correspondence.
Council Liaison Ann Azari was absent. On her behalf it was related to the Board, that due to the change in
meeting date and time she may not be able to attend every meeting. She will attend when she can. She
commended the Library Board for its work and invited the chair to meet with her.
REPORTS
Linda Saferite introduced Bob Copeland, Reference and Adult Information Administrator to present his "On
The Job With" report.
Bob reported on various changes that are happening in the Reference/Information Services area. Due to
position upgrades, there are now 5 librarians. Frances Burns is working with Francine Purdom in the Inter -
Library Loan department. The Local Historian position is being changed to librarian.
Outreach is a newly assigned division to this department.
Bob shared humorous stories to illustrate the diversity in questions received by this department. He also
reported that this department offers information and services on the following: Tours of the library;
information on ACLIN; reserves; bibliographies; Inter -Library Loans - which has almost doubled in the past
few months; magazines and newspaper collection; microforms and The Fort Collins Organization Directory
publication.
They are currently orienting and training the new librarians and will soon be hiring a replacement for Kim
Crowley who is now the Library Systems Administrator.
Work is still progressing on enlarging and rearranging the 2nd floor Reference/Information Desk. Eleven new
chairs purchased by the Friends of the Library will be coming soon and this will improve the 2nd floor
appearance. Bob discussed the future of libraries and the need for computers and advanced technology.
Linda introduced Fay Rhoadarmer who will be the new liaison for Friends of The Library Board. She will
attend monthly Board meetings to foster greater communication between the two groups.
Linda reported on acquisition Friends of the Library of new chairs; meeting between Ellen Willis, Wendy
Lewis (New West Fest Committee) and herself; 1st Interstate Bank is now publicizing the new drop box; Kim
Crowley will be attending Dynix System Administrator training in Provo, Utah; the appointment of the new
Shelving Supervisor Carol Gyger.
The Board Members discussed the"How'd We Do" comments. Karen Dornseif was concerned about the
continued request that a dropbox be located in the LaPorte area and expressed hope that the dropbox at Cache
La Poudre Junior High School would successfully fill this need. Anne asked about the questions regarding the
computers and if it was a common question. She also asked about the reaction to notice of discontinuing use
of computers and typewriter. (It has been minimal). Karen asked about books piling up at the check -in desk.
Linda explained that the new layout will solve this problem with a drop slot. Also, the bookdrop will be open
24 hours a day. Linda shared a recent library experience with a library customer who was unwilling to leave
the premises at closing time. This is the type of problem is occuring more often.
Linda and Larry Webber are working to order Mini Library book stacks and books. The lease agreement
should be signed soon with a target date to open between September 15 and October 15. The public is being
told early fall until construction progress is assessed in 60 days.
Madeleine asked if a reference section would be at the Mini Library and Linda responded yes, basic reference.
ACLIN (Access Colorado Libraries and Information Network) will be available at the Mini Library. An
Interior Designer is assisting on a limited contract so the colors and fabrics selected have the highest visual and
environmental impact for the dollar investment.
OLD BUSINESS
Anne Ostrye-Macdonald reported on the recommendations made at the Board Retreat. She noted that a long
range goal is needed to develop funding for improvements, expansion and new facilities.
NEW BUSINESS
Linda handed out a Library Fund Advisory Committee's mission statement and a Endowment Fund Agreement
between the Fort Collins Library Fund Advisory Committee and the Fort Collins Library Advisory Board. She
discussed the Library Foundation and the funds that are there now. Linda made a recommendation to endow
the Bertoni funds ($158,000) and add it to the current $50,000 endowment and spend the interest annually on
library materials. Sandra asked and was told the amount of interest would be approximately $8,000 - $10,000
on $200,000. Linda recommended leaving $12,000 account for Childrens section purchases as is.
Sandra moved to accept Linda's recommendation and Madeleine seconded the motion, all were in favor.
Anne discussed activating the Library Fund Advisory Committee and stress its fund raising role; she asked for
the Boards approval to move ahead. Jean moved to allow Anne to begin activating a group with changes in the
Advisory Committee membership to be considered.
Karen handed out the minutes of the Special Meeting Retreat and it was approved as distributed. A discussion
on information for the City Council on the 1995 budget followed. Al Stone recommended more funding is
needed. Anne repeated the outcome of the discussion of the most requested and needed as:
New furnishings for downtown library, $270,000.
- Feasibility study for larger branch library, $60,000.
- Collection growth to be increased in proportion to population growth
- Increase funding for Mini Library for staff and collection
- Adult services programs - outreach to hispanic population, educational programs, informational services on
technology
- Funding increase for technical services
Madeleine moved that Anne be appointed to represent the Library Board and make a recommendation to City
Council to supplement the Library's funding. Anne will meet with Linda to obtain dollar figures for each one.
Ellen Willis reported on the Children's Summer Reading Program and the use of the Media Centers. The
theme this year is "Reading is a Picnic" and noted that this program has been cut back by one third of previous
years. They are streamlining this program to better accommodate the space and staff needed. Results in the
past did show a good turnout and they will possibly use volunteers. One of the prizes will be a child's free
meal at the Jefferson Street Station. The Fort Collins Nursery again donated $600. which is a big help.
Karen asked about having a pool of volunteers and discussion of the registration form followed. Anne asked
about staff and volunteer time to do storytimes and the puppet shows which are the most popular. She
suggested using younger (school age) volunteers such as Book Buddy's which are very successful and are used
by the school system. It was reported that Friends of The Library donated $3,000 for the Summer Reading
Program.
Karen asked for Ellen's vision of the school media and open access. The Use of media centers for summer
reading in neighborhood schools was discussed. Linda noted that it is well known that two reading levels are
lost when no reading is done throughout the summer. The summer reading programs encourage continued
reading. It was suggested that letters be written to the editor of the newspapers, and articles be written about
the program to get this important information out to the public.
The LINC (Library Information Networking a Community) video was shown to the Library Board and Staff
members. This was the same video shown at the Press Conference on the LINC gift. The timelines are being
worked on now; dropboxes are being purchased; the Kids Catalogs are being purchased and the online
magazine index are targeted for fall. This has been a springboard for a Department of Commerce Grant
submittal
The Library Board voted to approve spending $800 from the Childrens section Library Fund to be spent on
the pedestal and plaques for the donated childrens statue. This statue was donated by the Schrader Oil
Company and will be dedicated in May. A motion was made to approve this request and was unanimously
approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Surber
Library Secretary
BJS/
3