HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 11/09/1995devising an action plan. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald suggested Steve VanderMeer be invited to the next
Board meeting to discuss how the meeting should be structured.
The Library Board retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9th; the regular Library Board meeting
will be on Thursday, January 18.
Current library issues will be discussed on Legislative Day, March 14, at the Capitol in Denver, and
Library Board members were encouraged to attend.
Due to numerous customer requests, the Library will be allowing two renewals of all library items that
do not have reserves with the exception of videos and art prints beginning December 1.
- World Wide Web Access - Kim Crowley
Kim's technology update included a brief demonstration on the use of the World Wide Web. She
explained to the Board that the two Web stations are in constant use and that it is planned to have the
Reference and Children's desks wired to accommodate two more stations. Library Board members were
given copies of the Library's Internet Access Policy and User Guidelines as well as a brochure
discussing Child Safety on the Information Highway. Kim also explained that a customer training
session on the use of the PACs (Public Access Computers) is being developed, and it is planned to start
this training the first week of December.
- Statistics Report - Robert Holzfaster
Total circulation statistics showed that 844,601 items were checked out, including 44,452 from the Mini
Library through the third quarter which represents a 10.8% increase over 1994; Interlibrary loan
transactions totaled 3,599, which is a 33.9 % increase over 1994. In addition, there are 63,600
registered customers on record; 419 programs were held (an increase of 24.3% over 1994) with a
program attendance of 18,000 customers (a 30.9% increase over 1994).
- "How'd we do's?"
Linda Knowlton commented that she liked the new format for presenting customer comments. Linda
Saferite was asked if there were ways to improve usage of the Self -Check machines and she commented
that the Library is trying to get volunteers to help instruct customers in the machines' use. In addition,
the Library is researching whether to relocate one of the machines to the second floor in order to
provide a less congested area for customers to check out their materials.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Finalize Work Plan - Al Stone
Library Board members discussed changes to the 1996 Work Plan draft which was prepared by Al
Stone, Jack Steele and Al Bednarz. Al Stone will make the final revisions and submit the document
by November 30.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Civic Center Master Plan - Anne Ostrye-Macdonald volunteered to be the Board's
representative at the Civic Activity Center Master Plan meetings. She stated they are trying to develop
a master plan for the Civic Center by next June. She advised the Board of upcoming community
workshops and will be giving the Board updates at future Library Board meetings.
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b. Survey Results - Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Lu Benke, Deb Maltby, Dr. Chuck Neidt.
The results of the community survey conducted last spring were shared with the Library Board. 710
surveys were returned. Among highlights were results on library usage, quality of service, which
services would be most useful, need and location for a branch library, usefulness of children's services,
and desirability of computer services. Also highlighted were high numbers of "non -respondents" (those
who skipped questions or answered "don't know." These responses indicate that many in Fort Collins
lack information about the library and its services. But, in many instances, residents don't know what
the library could and should offer. These results indicate a need for increased public outreach and
education.
C. Library Fund Advisory Committee Report - Jack Schanz
Jack Schanz, Chairman of the Library Fund Advisory Committee and a retired Government resource
economist, gave a recap of the activities of the newly organized committee. Their members include a
liaison from the Friends of the Library (Libby James), a Library Board member (Linda Knowlton), and
a retired professor from CSU (James Ogg). At their monthly meetings they have held discussions on
who to educate about library needs and resources; Jack Steele shared results of a planned giving
conference he attended; Dean Willms and Ellen Wills explained acquisition procedures and highlighted
the Library's most pressing current needs. At upcoming meetings, they will have a discussion of mutual
problems with a guest from the Friends of the Library, address problems of management of the fund
and the process of moving money from the fund to the Library, planning for 1996, and what the thrust
and mechanism will be for publicizing. He asked for guidance from the Library Board as far as what
kind of fund raising should be attempted. Jack also explained the fees which are charged for
management of the fund. It was felt that these fees were excessive, and he explained that the principal
is handled separately from the income; fees are based on the amount of money being managed, not the
amount that is being made. Through June 1995, the total fund grew 15.8%; the management fee was
3.1 % of the total, leaving a net retention of 12.7%.
Jack asked the Library Board what their intent was in terms of how the Library Fund Advisory
Committee's charter was modified in June 1995; it is his interpretation that the Committee is now more
of a fundraising committee than an advisory committee. Al Stone said the primary intent of the Board
in redoing the charter was to increase the amount of money in the fund. Jack also asked how much
money can be spent from the fund in support of fundraising itself.
Anne Ostrye-Macdonald asked that Linda Knowlton give a report to the Library Board each month on
the activities of the Committee and Jack Schanz will be asked to update the Board in approximately
three months.
Al Stone asked for a session next April to review the 1997 budget. A copy of the budget justification
for 1996 will be given to the Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
Library Secretary
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