August 23, 2005 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of August 23, 2005
Present: Betty Kerns, Prakash Mathew, Helen Levitt, Herb Snyder, Leo Wilking
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Bob Mason
Staff: Nancy Giere, Diane Briggs, Erin Smith, Monique Andresen Director: Charles Pace
Others: City Commissioner Linda Coates, Mayor Bruce Furness, architect Jeff Scherer
Order of Agenda
Helen Levitt moved to approve the order of the agenda adding a time for Mayor Bruce Furness immediately. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Mayor Bruce Furness
The mayor opposed the initial measure for two reasons. First, he did not feel our neighbors should help pay for a library project. Secondly, this was not the highest priority on the capital project list. He is now looking for ways to make this project happen. He is supportive of the latest proposal Jeff Scherer presented earlier today of making a new facility out of the current site.
Minutes
Leo Wilking moved to approve the minutes of July 26, 2005. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Architect Jeff Scherer
Jeff Scherer presented the site plan for the south side library at Clapp Park. The Park District endorsed the spirit of the plan but details need to be worked out. They have not taken formal action on the proposal. The senior center for the parks can be built independently of the library project. It will be a one story 15,000 square foot facility with expansion potential to 18,000 square feet.
Priorities for any library project include money, parking, and service. The proposed site plan for downtown tries to solve the perceptual problem of parking by making the Civic Lot more accessible to library patrons.
Staff Report
Nancy Giere reported a total of 1,814 children registered for the Summer Reading Program. 407 children finished eight hours of reading and received one book. 197 children finished thirty hours of reading and the inside challenge to receive a second free book and circus tickets.
70 adults and 33 teens participated in the Summer Reading Program.
The Battle of the Bands had four bands and 123 people attend.
Cataloging has been working hard at putting out several new CDs and videos.
Directors Report
Charles Pace reported the mayor presented his preliminary budget for 2006 on August 15. Monique Andresen attended the budget meeting. The new Collection Manager position was funded for a half year and two part time North side positions were funded. The added staff positions were funded from the Library Startup Fund, which is the money set aside for operations generated by the sales tax. The final budget should be approved by the City Commission in September.
Statistical Reports
58% of the library budget has been spent to date.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Bob Mason stated the treasurers report was not available at the time of the last meeting. Currently there are 217 members. A representative from Barnes and Noble presented a possible fundraiser. A book fair will be held November 26. The Friends of the Fargo Public Library organization would receive a portion of the days profits. The next book sale has been set for November 18, 19 and 20.
Continuing Business
A. Review and discuss draft of request for proposal for a new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system
The request for proposal for RFID technology was presented to the board. Charles Pace will advertise the request for proposal.
B. First reading of bylaw amendments
The first reading of the bylaw amendments was presented by Charles Pace who explained the change of number of board members from five to seven, number needed for a quorum from three to four, and meeting day from the fourth Tuesday to the third Tuesday of the month. Leo Wilking asked if the board ever took off the summer months. Betty Kearns replied it has been done in the past without a change to the bylaws.
Leo Wilking moved to approve the first reading of the bylaws. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
C. Review and approve revised meeting schedule for 2005
Helen Levitt moved to accept the revised meeting schedule. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
D. Discuss and review draft of Naming Rights policy
Herb Snyder suggested the donor pay for full funding of a major room or larger donations instead of 65%.
Jeff Scherer stated naming rights can get messy. Naming right should not be given to movable items. The true cost is different than what someone would consider the value of a donation. Examples from other libraries include listing the cost of items to be donated for one individuals name listed such as $200,000 for a meeting room, $1,000,000 for the Childrens Room, $2,000,000 for the Adult Reading Room. Dont give away the naming rights.
Prakash Mathew suggested the last statement should reflect the philosophical question of how it matches our mission and/or goals of the library.
Charles Pace will rework items 2, 3, 5, and 7. Action regarding the Naming Rights Policy was tabled until a future date.
New Business
A. Review and approve Collection Development Policy
Erin Smith presented the revised Collection Development Policy to the board. Leo Wilking moved to accept the revised Collection Development Policy. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
A special meeting will be held Thursday, September 1, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room jointly with the library building committee.
The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted in coordination with Nancy Giere and Diane Briggs,
Monique Andresen