February 22, 2005 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of February 22, 2005
Present: Betty Kerns, athew, Jean Rayl, and Herb Snyder
Absent: Helen Levitt
Staff: Nancy Giere
City Commissioner: Linda Coates
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Carol Sawicki
Director Charles Pace
Order of Agenda
Jean Rayl moved to approve the order of the agenda. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Herb Snyder moved to approve the minutes of January 25, 2005 . Jean Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Cindy Wray and Erin Smith did special cowboy story times at Nativity School in honor of Catholic Schools Week. Over 300 children attended.
Erin Smith has an article published in the January/February 2005 issue of Public Libraries.
Hearts and Hugs at the library was very successful with around 100 kids at Souhtpointe.
Directors Report
Aleph is continuing to change daily. Receipt printers are working now instead of stamping due dates. Acquisitions portion of Aleph is cumbersome and we are looking at options for bypassing the acquisitions module. OPAC is continuing to be streamlined.
Library Building committee met on February 11 and heard from six architectural firms with the recommendation of the firm Meyers, Scherer and Rockcastle.
The wireless network has been installed. Testing will continue before announcing to the public. Our new Gates computers have been installed and working well.
Melisa Duncan and Jake Fejedelem are working on a grant proposal for teen programming. Melisa Duncan earlier submitted a letter to the FM Area Foundation for a grant to fund a series of programs concerning small business and entrepreneurship.
At the recommendation of Pat Owens, Charles Pace will add a section in his report regarding special concerns. The past month has been difficult in terms of scheduling due to a large number of staff illnesses. The facilities team in future months will be providing a list of building maintenance and cleanliness issues. Problems or issues will be addressed in this section.
Southpointe continues to be very busy. Total number of people visiting the branch is up by 20% compared to the same time a year ago.
Former Assistant Director Jerry Lamb passed away recently.
Statistical Reports
Statistics are an issue with the process from Aleph. Statistics regarding registration and records added or dropped are still not available It is a work in progress at this point.
We are 8% through the year and we have spent 4%.The adjusted budget is $2,039624 for 2005.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Carol Sawicki reported $17,000 in the treasury. A new membership drive was started mid-December with 165 household members at this point Several requests were made and funded including a board book bin for the childrens room, staff appreciation items for National Library Week, two new data projectors, and a survey of older citizens concerning programming. A survey is showing by 2015 50% of the population will be 55 or older. Programming needs for active older adults will be surveyed. West Fargo and Grand Forks friends groups have contacted the Friends of the Fargo Public Library regarding how to make a Friends group work.
Continuing Business
A. Review and approve architect selection for library building projects
The firm Meyers, Scherer and Rockcastle with the Image Group is recommended by the library building committee. Contract negotiations are started. Prakash Mathew moved to support the recommendation made by the building committee to move forward with the selection of Meyers, Scherer and Rockcastle and forward it to the City Commission. Jean Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Review and sign letter to City Commission requesting expanded library board
As a recommendation from the board workshop it was suggested to expand the library board from five to seven members. The city attorney researched the issue and concluded the library could do this under the home rule charter because it was not an issue of state wide significance. It is worded such that if the mayor and commission so desires, the board may be expanded. Jean Rayl moved to approve the letter to the City Commission to expand the board from five to seven members. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
C. Discuss outcome of board workshop, implementation of other recommendations
This discussion is tabled until next month.
New Business
A. Review and approve updates to Rules of Conduct Policy
Jean Rayl moved to approve the Rules of Conduct Policy with the addition of prohibiting smoking in the doorway or entrance. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Review and approve updates to Confidentiality of Patron Records Policy
Herb Snyder moved to approve the Confidentiality of Patron Records Policy as written. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
C. Discussion of possible future televising of board meetings
The City Commission is currently in negotiations with Cable One to renew the contract. Additional public access channels may be offered to allow televising various City boards and commissions such as the planning commission, liquor control board, including the library board. Possibly an agreement will be in place for the summer. Meetings would then be located in the City Commission chambers. Further discussion regarding moving the meeting location will take place at that time.
Public Comment
Herb Snyder suggested we put a display in the lobby and on the web site. Charles Pace stated a web page is under construction and a larger display will be developed for the lobby.
Charles Pace read some of the suggestions received to date including better parking and book drop off, more quality Christian books, word processing and other applications not timed, local family history or genealogy area, coffee shop, heritage local displays for local history, bean bag chairs, plenty of parking, open Sundays all year long, enforcement of cell phone usage rules, audio video viewing sections to preview movies or tapes, allow more computer use, more books and videos, more adult Christian books, better restroom facilities, more rap cds, indoor playground and coffee bar, puzzles and toys on the childrens side, parking, more dvds, pop or coffee machine, more time on computers, lots of books, nice place to read newspapers and magazines, semi-private study rooms, lounge areas to sit and read, more movies, stop people from smoking near the library entrance, high ceilings, quiet reading room, large south side facility, and abolish smoking at the front entrance. Some of the collection requests may be addressed before the new facilities.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held March 22, 2005 , at 4:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen