Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - (11)0 0 City Clerk's Office LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting — April 8, 1999 6:00 p.m. Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland 11 Staff Liaison: Brenda Cams (Phone 221-6670) Chairperson: Jack Steele (Phone: 225-0877) A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on April 8, 1999 in the Ben Delatour Room at the Main Library. The following Library Board members were present: Anne Ostrye- Macdonald, Rudy Maes, Mary Robertson, Jack Steele. Library Board Members Absent: City Staff Members Present: Friends of the Library Liaison: Ed Jakubauskas, M. Madeleine Wawro Brenda Cams, Michael W. Powers, Jack Gianola, Lu Benke, and Marjorie Teklits Larry Webber The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by the Chairperson, Jack Steele. The minutes of the March 11, 1999 Regular Meeting stand as written. CORRESPONDENCE Copies of a memo dated March 10" from the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board suggesting all City Boards and Commissions take into consideration the five principles highlighted by the United nations regarding senior populations in plans that head into the new millennium were distributed. The Senior Advisory Board would like to be advised what the plans are and if they can help put them into practice to make and keep Fort Collins a true "Society for All Ages." Copies of the 1999 Colorado Metro Public Library Survey from the State Library and Adult Education Office were distributed. Copies of a thank -you note to the Library Board from the Technical Services staff for the gift of flowers in celebration of their new location were also distributed. 1 The Proclamation declaring the week of April 11-17 National Library Week in Fort Collins was shared. Jack Steele received the Proclamation at the March 16" Council meeting. REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS A. Library Director — Brenda Cams The Senate's second vote on Bill 093 is scheduled for today. The amount available, which was lowered to $2 million from $5.5 million, would result in approximately $60,000 for the library. It is a very positive development for the library community as it represents the first attempt at statewide support for collections by the legislature. Brenda Cams and Mike Powers attended a symposium in Chicago on building new libraries sponsored by the Public Library Association. It proved very helpful in outlining the process recommended by experienced library professionals and library architects. The information will be useful in developing the new downtown Main Library. A new session of Electronic Literacy Classes at Harmony Library will start May 10" and run until the end of June. The present waiting list will fill two-thirds of the classes. The Reference staff have now moved into the area vacated by Technical Services and the expanded Local History area is in the process of being completed. The next step, which is planned for late August or early September, will involve moving media items to the second floor and recarpeting the first floor. The new neon sign, "Children's Place," displayed above the children's area at Harmony Library has been well received. Approximately 736 people attended 8 puppet show performances during Spring Break. In addition, Library Wagon, the children's library program that takes an enriched library storytime to area day cares, preschools and Headstarts, visited 61 centers and had 1,655 children and caregivers attending the programs. Pets and animal related agencies abound in the lineup of programs and special features to go along with the Summer Reading Program theme: "So Many Pets, So Many Books." A reading incentive will feature sponsorship of a rescued horse. B. Friends of the Library — Larry Webber The Friends are donating $10,000 to the library for the Summer Reading Program; $500 of this amount has been designated for the reading incentive horse rescue program mentioned above. Larry also mentioned that it might be possible to find a corporation interested in matching donations. Other projects approved for funding include $1,000 for the Young Adult Summer Reading Program, $300 for obtaining the Fence Post on microfilm for the Local History department, $420 for Young Adult chairs at Harmony, and $800 for refurnishing the resale area with shelving and signage. In addition, the Friends hope to raise money for the library by collecting and recycling used laser and inkjet cartridges at Harmony and Main. The Friends are celebrating their 60"' anniversary this year and are trying to think of ways to make the public more aware of their organization and what they do for the library. Responses were received from local political candidates to letters sent from the Friends asking about views on current and future plans for library services in Fort Collins. They are also considering sponsoring a "coffee" for new members of City government and invited the Library Board to participate. The Friends are planning to encourage support for Senate Bill 093 when it goes before the House of Representatives. The Friends are planning to assist library staff during "Amnesty Week" when current library card fines will be excused in exchange for canned food for the Food Distribution Center. C. New Main Library Downtown Committee: Status and Discussion Committee members Mary Robertson, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Jack Steele and Ed Jakubauskas toured each of the proposed sites. Members present at tonight's meeting discussed the various options and offered the pros and cons listed in the attached Appendix. Jack Gianola showed Board members the concept drawing for a proposed 3-story building on the northwest corner of Block 32. Jack Steele requested a smaller copy of the map. NEW BUSINESS A. Library Budget Needs — Brenda Cams Brenda Cams summarized the library's needs for the 2000/2001 budget. Personnel increases identified by staff in order of priority are: a Local History Library Assistant, a Training Librarian, 4.5 FTE hourly staff for Circulation, a Bilingual Outreach Library Assistant and Reference Librarian, a Building Superintendent (.5) and Security Guard (.5), an hourly substitute Library Assistant (.5), a Children's Librarian, and a Young Adult Librarian. Non -personnel budgetary increases requested include $320,000 for books and media (on- going); $27,000 to fund the 11 existing book drops (on -going), $8,000 to add two additional bookdrop sites (on -going), $10,000 (one-time) to replace and repair the existing dropboxes, and replacement of the library's aging theft detection system. Library Board members strongly felt that personnel monies should be separate from monies for books and materials. They also strongly support the continuation of funding for the courier servicing of bookdrop locations around the City. In addition, they agreed to again suggest a per capita increase for library services in their 2000/2001 budget recommendation to the Mayor and City Council. May Agenda: Public Support Committee Report Timing of sending documents to Council The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits Administrative Secretary Approved at the May 13, 1999 Library Board Meeting 4 • • Appendix OPTION 1 PROS * Multi -modal access * Close to parking. * Brand-new building which can be made "advanced -technology" compatible. * Only 1 1/2 blocks from "Library Park". * In a mixed area of businesses, etc. * Within walking distance of Old Town - blends the library to Old Town * Parking garage makes parking accessible * Is still in a neighborhood but does not interfere with parking * Changing location might create more excitement about new uses and vision of a library. CONS * Voters would have to approve site and S for new building * Urban library only (no park/outside areas) * Parking in garage on two floors only * Inconvenient access for adults with smaller children from the Parking garage * Parking for "quick" book return or handicapped may be design problem * Loading dock may be a design problem * Limited expansion capabilities * Land all currently multi -owner (possible difficult negotiations) * Mountain Ave. frontage is VERY expensive * More than 2 stories may be a problem for aesthetics in area * Parking lot is primary structure. Library could look like an annex to the parking lot * Library would have to face east or north, one of which creates lousy views * Windows would face parking lot and/or an alley * Small lots available, no place for park -like setting * Could overwhelm that area, since the library may have to be three full stories to have 100,000 sq ft. OPTION 2 PROS * Multi -modal access * Brand-new building which can be made "advanced -technology" compatible. * In a mixed area of businesses, etc. * Within walking distance of Old Town - blends the library to Old Town * Close enough to park that story times and festivals could take place in library park * If purchased enough land, could extend the Library Park to that comer and create a continuation (on an angle) of library park * Possibly could tie directly to parking structure * Parking garage makes parking accessible * Is still in a neighborhood but does not interfere with parking * Clientele is similar with museum * Changing location might create more excitement about new uses and vision of a library. * Other activities at Park can tie into the Library. * Close to present site - could build a library annex and a pedestrian walkway between the two CONS * Voters would have to approve site and S for new building * Urban library only (no park/outside areas) * Parking in garage on top floors only * Inconvenient access for adults with smaller children from the Parking garage (if Parking Garage not connected) * Parking for "quick" book return or handicapped may be a design problem * Loading dock may be a design problem * Limited expansion capabilities * Land all currently multi -owner (possible difficult negotiations) * Mountain Ave. frontage is VERY expensive * More than 2 stories may be a problem for aesthetics in area * Parking lot is primary structure. Library could look like an annex to the parking lot * Library would have to face east or west, neither of which create great views * Windows would face parking lot * Small lots available, no place for park -like setting * Could overwhelm that area, since the library would have to be three full stories to have 100,000 sq ft. OPTION 3 PROS * Library has always been in Library Park. The public voted previously to keep the Library there. * Locating the library at Library Park would present a creative way to tie the past and present with the future - ties to Tradition * City already owns the land. * Could provide a positive connection and collaboration with the museum. * Compatible with surroundings. * Multi -modal access * Opportunity to create a unique architectural statement the community can be proud of - and create more excitement about new uses and vision of a library * Brand-new building (plus remodel of existing building) - both can be made "advanced - technology" compatible. * Not far from old town and downtown businesses * Within walking distance of Old Town - blends the library to Old Town * Close enough to park that story times and festivals (and other compatible efforts) could take place in library park * Clientele is similar with museum * Survey results indicate a willingness to expand current library prior to building another one Current lot would be easier to sell to voters. * More relaxed atmosphere, less hustle and bustle than on Mountain or Howes * Park is a resource the Library can use (afterall, it is called "Library Park") CONS * Lacks proximity to major parking area * Voters would have to approve further square footage use of Library Park as well as approve funding for building * Proximity to Poudre river creates high water table (if underground option is chosen) - construction could be very expensive (but factor is unknown at this time) * "Same old location, same old library" attitude possible. * Library Park has discrete use as library/museum. Commercial, retail, cultural and other activities are not available. * Limited expansion capabilities * Loading dock may be hard to place * A major remodel would be extremely disruptive to library users and staff. OPTION 4 PROS * Multi -modal access * Visually expands and connects to Old Town * Connects to noithside neighborhoods * Brand-new building which can be made "advanced -technology" compatible. * Part of Civic Center Complex * Proposed Parking Garage in close proximity * Near proposed Transportation Center at Mason * Martinez Park nearby for access to city's bike paths * Area already earmarked for government buildings * Changing location might create more excitement about new uses and vision of a library. CONS * Voters would have to approve site and S for new building * Commercial, retail, cultural and other activities are not available. * Urban library only (no park/outside areas) * Parking for "quick" book return or handicapped may be a design problem * Limited expansion capabilities * Land currently multi -owner (possible difficult negotiations) * Civic center concept makes library seem like par of government. Do we want a "government image?" * Windows possibly would provide unscenic views * Small lots available, no place for park -like setting * No place for festivals or other plaza -like events