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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 01/14/1986C I T Y O F F 0 R T C 0 L L I N S PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES -- REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 14. 1986 -- 6:00 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS: Christine Kneeland. President Polly Walters, Vice president Jerry Johnson Don Morgan Catherine Fine Lloyd Spawn Susan Kirkpatrick PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD -- Christine Kneeland, Polly Walters, Jerry Johnson, Don Morgan, Catherine Fine, Lloyd Spawn Susan Kirkpatrick; LIBRARY STAFF -- Jane Davis, Robert Holzfaster. The meeting was called to order by the President, Christine Kneeland. The minutes of the November meeting were approved as distributed. Ms. Kneeland distributed copies of a letter to the members from Frances Nelson, a Fort Collins resident, requesting an increase in library hours open. The members agreed that response to Ms. Nelson letter should stress their agreement that longer hours would be desirable but that dollars are not available for extending hours open at this time and that they feel that the building is open the most accommodating hours within budget constraints. Robert Holzfaster, Administrative Aide, distributed year end statistics. Total circulation of library materials for 1985 was 626,669 - up 8% over 1984. Jane Davis, Library Director, reported on the status of the three current state grants. She also reported that the upgraded circulation/inventory control system came up on December 15 without any problems and was proving very satisfactory. She reported that the new equity pay component of the 1986 pay plan had brought a salary increase to all library staff. Under Old Business Christine Kneeland reported that the Junior Women's Club "Giving Tree" program had hit a snag. Poudre R-1 is reluctant to distribute the information through the schools. Junior Women's Club members will be meeting with Poudre R-1 staff to clarify the situation. Board members Don Morgan and Susan Kirkpatrick reported that they had met with Children's Librarian Ellen Willis and discussed the two challenged titles, Hosie's Zoo, by Baskin, and Tell Me, Grandma, Tell Me, Grandpa, by Newman and Drescher. Both had read the books and also read reviews of the books. They recommended that the titles remain in the library collection. Sue Kirkpatrick moved that Hosie's Zoo be retained for public use. Polly Walters seconded the motion. All votes were favorable. Sue Kirkpatrick moved that Tell Me, Grandma, Tell Me, Grandpa be retained for public use. Polly Walters seconded the motion. All votes were favorable. Under New Business, Jane Davis reported that I'll Fix Anthony, by Judith Viorst, had been challenged by a library user. Polly Walters and Lloyd Spawn were appointed as an ad hoc committee to read the book, read reviews of the book and report back to the full membership at the February meeting. Don Morgan moved that in order to expedite dealing with challenged books the Library Director contact two members on a rotating basis when a challenge is received. Then they could read the book and a report could be made at the next regular meeting. Catherine Fine seconded the motion. The motion carried three to two. Those voting for the motion were Don Morgan, Lloyd Spawn and Polly Walters. Opposed were Christine Kneeland and Jerry Johnson. Those opposed to changing the process felt that the two month wait for a decision was not excessive and that the current system of dealing with challenged material had worked well for many years. Christine Kneeland reported that Mayor Barbara Rutstein had called her asking that the Library Board discuss ways in which the library and other city agencies might cooperate in supporting ethnic activities and activities of other community groups. After some discussion members suggested that Ms. Kneeland discuss this matter with Alice Milton, President of the Cultural Resources Board, and offer support for cooperation in terms of displays in the library and purchase of appropriate materials. Ms. Kneeland will also call Ms. Rutstein and summarize the Board's response. At this point in the meeting Nancy Knepel, Director of the High Plains Regional Library System, joined Board members for a brainstorming session aimed at developing ideas and strategies for presenting a solid statement of need for increased dollars for library materials in 1987 to the Fort Collins City Council. Jane Davis, Library Director, presented the following information to Board members: AVERAGE COST OF BOOKS (from Bowker Annual) - Hardcover (per volume) price - Fiction (hardcover) 1977 - $19.22 1977 - $10.09 1984 - $29.81 1984 - $14.66 - Trade paperbacks - Mass market paperbacks 1977 - $5.93 1982 - $2.93 1984 - $13.96 1983 - $3.13 1984 - $3.38 MATERIALS BUDGET - 1984: Total: $160,350 Materials - books $126,890 - periodicals 7,900 - microforms 825 - computer software 1,920 - all other materials 12,915 Binding and rebinding costs 9,900 - 1985: Total: $152,665 Materials - books $135,539 - periodicals 8.301 - all other materials 3,825 Binding and rebinding costs 5,000 - 1986: Total projected for all materials needs: $95,000 POPULATION FIGURES - FORT COLLINS ONLY - 1894: 78,220 - 1985: 82,055 - 1986: 85,600 (projected) Board members asked Ms. Davis to develop some visuals showing the above information and also showing increased use, population growth and materials purchased. Ms. Kneeland will request a meeting with Council at a regular Council Workseeaion in March or April. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jane B. Davis Secretary Pro-tem