January 17, 2006 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of January 17, 2006
Present: Betty Kerns, Herb Snyder, Richard Zeck, Helen Levitt, Prakash Mathew
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Bob Mason
Staff: Maxine Hilburn
Director: Charles Pace
Absent: Leo Wilking, Suzanne Morrison
Order of Agenda
Helen Levitt moved to approve the order of the agenda. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Herb Snyder moved to approve the minutes of December 13, 2005. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Maxine Hilburn reported 24 participants took part in a youth chess tournament. The winter reading program will be awarding youth who turn in book logs with a choice of local event tickets including Disney on Ice, Monster trucks, FM Jets, and FM Redhawks. Seventeen people attended a genealogy program. At least one in attendance took advantage of the free MAT bus ride offered for the program day. A sign designating the future Northport site will be in place soon. Weeding of the collection has started. Ben Daeuber has been hired as a Library Associate I. Maxine Hilburn is now in the Outreach Department and Diane Briggs is in the Reference Department. Cross training has started between reference and circulation staff.
Jake Fejedelem reported on the web site redesign. The left side column is information that does not change frequently. The right side column is department information. The center is reserved for highlighting upcoming events and news of the library. Within the department pages, unique content is being developed including book lists created by library staff. The teen page may soon have a graphic novel serial from a local author. The childrens page will soon start streaming childrens story times.
Directors Report
Charles Pace reported a possibility of the Public Safety Building in the Industrial Park as a remote storage site for the main collection during construction. City Commissioners are looking at possible sites downtown for public services. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags will soon be mounted on the bookmobile collection for future use at the Northport branch. Asbestos has been found in the floor tiles at Northport. Abatement will start soon and the estimated date to open for service is June 2006. Conceptual schematics for Southpointe are going through the review process. Feasibility study consultants were in Fargo January 9-11. Pam Strait scheduled appointments for approximately 40 interviews. Charles Pace will attend ALA Midwinter conference in Texas January 21-25. We continue to clean the library. We removed surplus items, broken furniture, shelving and other items that were not salvageable. A new job kiosk is located in the library lobby. The Southpointe branch is weeding the collection. One additional part time Library Associate I position created for the Northport branch is now being advertised.
Statistical Reports
Financial statements for December were not yet available. Approximately $17,000 was cut in the budget process from the preliminary budget to the final budget for 2006. Estimated collection of sales tax for the eighteen month period is projected at $12.4 to $12.8 million.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Bob Mason reported 107 household memberships adding $2,930 to the Friends account. The bank balance is now at $15,300. The president will be leaving due to a job change. Nominations are being taken for a replacement. One extra book sale may be needed due to the massive weeding project underway. The transition plan for the Friends of the Fargo Public Library is also being formed.
Continuing Business
A. Library Director performance evaluation
Prakash Mathew moved to accept the Directors performance evaluation summary. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Veterans Day closing schedule
Helen Levitt moved to close Friday, November 10, in conjunction with the City of Fargo calendar and remain open Saturday, November 11, with a special celebration or display for veterans. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
C. Strategic Plan
Strategic responses were distributed in the board packets. These were discussed and written through several staff meetings from April through December 2005 for the next two years. Prakash Mathew moved to accept the strategic responses as written. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
D. Fundraising Feasibility Study
Charles Pace reported the sense from the consultants last visit was that it could be possible to raise $2 million, but it will be difficult. Some donors were identified who were willing to give amounts over a period of time. Another issue raised by some interviewed was the reasoning that a city project should be fully paid through the city. The consultants will come back with a proposal for an 18 month fundraising campaign. A campaign will cost approximately $50,000 to $60,000 to get the campaign up and running. At that point it should be self sustaining with a total cost up to $200,000. It was decided to hold a special meeting Friday, February 3, at 8:00 a.m. in the library meeting room to receive the consultants report.
New Business
A. Letter of agreement from Robert H Rohlf and Associates
Herb Snyder moved to accept the letter of agreement to hire Robert H Rohlf and Associates to review plans of the three new facilities with a minimum fee of $6,000. Richard Zeck seconded the motion; the motion failed.
Herb Snyder moved to accept the letter of agreement to hire Robert H Rohlf and Associates to review plans of the three new facilities with a minimum fee of $6,000 adding a maximum fee of $10,000. Richard Zeck seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
Helen Levitt asked about the actual fees for moving. Charles Pace stated the board could recommend funding from the general fund after discussing the issue with City Commission liaison Linda Coates first.
Bob Mason inquired about the naming rights issue during the consultant interviews. Charles Pace stated that was not discussed in detail.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled for February 3 at 8:00 a.m. in the Library meeting room. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 21 at 4:00 in the City Commission room.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen