HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 06/08/2002LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting — June 8, 2000
6:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Michael Byrne Acting Staff Liaison: Lu Benke
(Phone 221-6678)
Acting Chairperson: Mary Robertson
(Phone:416-1918)
A regular meeting of the Library Board was held on June 8, 2000 in the Ben Delatour Room of
the Main Library. The following Library Board members were present: Carolyn Haase, Lisa
Helme, Rudy Maes, Mary Robertson, Charles Robles, and M. Madeleine Wawro.
Library Board Member Absent:
City Staff Members Present:
Friends of the Library Liaison:
Guest Speaker:
Edward Jakubauskas
Lu Benke, Marjorie Teklits
Larry Webber
Wayne Givens, Library Trust
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the Acting Chairperson, Mary Robertson.
Charles Robles motioned that the minutes of the May 11, 2000 meeting be approved as written;
Rudy Maes seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.
Correspondence
Mary Robertson commented that the "Letter to the Editor" from a member of the community
which appeared in the May 22"d edition of The Coloradoan concerning wonderful service
received at the library is very much appreciated.
Reports/Presentations
a. Library Trust Update — Wayne Givens
Library Trust Board Members held a retreat on May 23. At present, there are eight
members and they are attempting to recruit two or three additional members. At the
retreat, facilitator Tess Heffernan assisted the group in discussing a vision, translating the
vision into action, clarifying their role and how it relates to other groups supporting the
library, addressing short and long-term funding needs and determining how to move
forward. Wayne distributed copies of a draft Vision Statement prepared by Mary
Robertson from the group's input as well as copies of the Trust's June 6" meeting
agenda.
Anne Ostrye-Macdonald is working with the Trust to prepare grants, including one from
the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH). She feels optimistic that they may be
able to achieve a significant matching -type grant from NEH by next spring; a grant award
of this nature could assist in the Trust's fundraising efforts. Anne is also exploring
several smaller grant opportunities which could help with Trust operating costs.
Trust members feel that, regardless of the outcome of efforts to achieve a new main
library, the Fort Collins Public Library will need support. Members want the Trust to be
successful and to move forward. Toward this end, a subcommittee is working on the
development of specific marketing strategies to garner community support. Melissa
Katsimpalis has agreed to help work on marketing materials to explain what the Library
Trust is all about and what they are attempting to achieve. At that point, it is planned to
approach local service clubs for possible donations and to line up contributions from
major donors in connection with a possible NEH grant award in the spring.
Rudy asked for an approximate amount the Trust is planning to raise; Wayne said that a
realistic amount is yet to be decided, however, it would be desirable to set aside a
substantial endowment, to provide the yearly interest to the library and allow the
principle to grow.
A party will be planned to launch the Trust's fundraising efforts, perhaps tying into the
library's centennial celebration.
Library Board members thank Wayne and the Trust members for the time and work they
are doing in support of the library, and Wayne said the Trust welcomes input from the
Library Board and the Friends of the Library. Carolyn said it may be beneficial if the
Trust gives a presentation to City Council members, and Mary Robertson said she will
find out if this is possible.
b. Acting Library Director — Lu Benke
Lu explained that she will provide the Director's report as Brenda Cams is attending a
Colorado Public Library Directors conference in Glenwood Springs.
The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is receiving good media coverage, and the special
video about the program is being shown in schools, on cable channels, and has even been
sent to the Discovery Channel. Approximately 2,000 children have signed up for the
program to date. Lu invited the Board to check out the web page which contains more
information about the children's and young adult programs as well as photos about the
"Readers to the Rescue" incentive for children to read extra hours. Dozens of volunteers
have been recruited to help with SRP sign-up at both libraries, and approximately 30
middle grade youngsters have joined as Library Pal volunteers.
2
Thanks to the Friends of the Library, a large tent has been purchased which will help
protect outdoor program participants from the sun. It allows the library to extend what
they will be able to do outdoors, especially at Harmony Library where the young trees are
too small to provide very much protection from the summer sun.
The library appreciates the generosity of Water World which has donated 44 free tickets
to be used as prizes for the SRP.
The Library was awarded $6,000 from the State Library for the "Fiestas and Forums"
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant proposal, an outreach project which
will allow the library to plan a year -long series of monthly community programs
highlighting different facets of multiculturalism. Another grant received from the
Colorado Endowment for the Humanities is providing funding for Calamity Jane
programs for both children and adults.
Reference and Adult Services Lead Librarian Francine Purdom will be taking a leave of
absence effective June 22; Young Adult Librarian Sue -Ellen Jones will be the interim
Lead Librarian for the department.
Library staff are in the process of learning the new automated system, Innovative
Interfaces (III), in preparation for its implementation in August.
C. Friends of the Libra — Larry Webber
Larry reminded Board members about the Friends' next book sale scheduled for July 14-
16 at Harmony Library. He also distributed Rocky Mountain Coffee Connection coupons
who have promised to donate 10% of purchases made with the coupon to the Friends. In
addition, Larry reminded everyone to recycle their used printer cartridges at either library
as an organization is donating money to the Friends' for each cartridge collected.
Larry commended Mary Robertson on the fine draft Vision Statement she prepared for
the Library Trust which Wayne distributed at the meeting.
d. Committee Reports:
County/State/National—Carolyn Haase
Carolyn distributed copies of the June 7" article from The Reporter -Herald concerning County
voter approval for a new courthouse. She said that it is encouraging as it delivers a message of
civic support for new construction.
She also distributed copies of an article from the June/July issue of American Libraries
mentioning that the American Library Association Executive Board was advised by a public
relations firm who conducted market research to determine the public's perception of libraries
that libraries offer one -stop shopping where users can find anything; libraries are part of the
American dream offering free access to all; and libraries are changing and dynamic places.
Lastly, copies of the June 7 article from the Reporter -Herald concerning the bill allocating funds
for use by libraries operated by public schools, municipalities and public academic institutions
recently signed by the Governor were distributed. The article mentions the options libraries have
for addressing Internet access if they are to receive a portion of the funds.
City Council Relations — Charles Robles
A report on the committee's progress will be given at the next meeting.
Community/Public Relations —Mary Robertson
Mary said she recently met with Bill Bertschy and is planning to schedule a meeting with Chuck
Wanner as well. Mike Powers will be meeting with Council Members at a closed session on
June 19 to discuss the potential sites for a new main library. Library Board members will be
invited to attend a breakfast meeting on June 23 with the committee who is working on a new
main library bond issue. A meeting with Brenda, Deb Maltby, Lisa and Mary to discuss public
relations will be scheduled in the near future.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Soapbox Articles — Mary Robertson
Lisa asked Mary about plans for Soapbox articles, and Mary said that, although specific
details weren't defined, Board members are encouraged to send submissions to the
newspaper for this column.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Rudy Maes mentioned a recent comment appearing in the newspaper questioning the
effectiveness of bilingual education. Board members agreed that bilingual education is
important and agreed to defend these types of programs. Rudy will keep them apprised
of any new developments.
b. Lu Benke is investigating information concerning Colorado Library Association (CLA)
awards particularly with regard to the category of library services to ethnic populations.
Winners will be announced at the CLA conference in September.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Teklits
Administrative Secretary