June 20, 2006 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of June 20, 2006
Present: Betty Kerns, Prakash Mathew, Helen Levitt, Suzanne Morrison, Herb Snyder, Leo Wilking
Absent: Richard Zeck
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Carol Sawicki
Staff: Monique Andresen, Maxine Hilburn, Beth Postema
Director: Charles Pace
Others Present: City Commissioner Linda Coates, Jack Zaleski of Wellspring Project
Order of Agenda
Helen Levitt moved to approve the order of the agenda. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Prakash Mathew moved to approve the minutes of April 18 and May 16, 2006. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
The Summer Reading Program started with a Lewis and Clark program running June 5-8. More than 140 people attended the programs. Pippi Longstocking will be at the library June 22. The Childrens Department was represented at the Marketplace for Kids this spring. Almost all books are shelved at the Northport branch. Kim Winnegge and Lindsey Guderjahn turned in their resignations. Tom Fortin, the new Collection Development Manager, will start July 17.
Wellspring Project
Jack Zaleski presented the Wellspring for the World project to the board. The organization raises money to drill wells in Mali, Africa, to provide safe drinking water. Don Johnson of Dons Car Wash founded the organization. The organization has partnered with World Vision and donations are matched by a foundation. The group has been discussing the possibility with members of the library building committee of a water feature as an element in the new library. This would be an educational and symbolic work of art reaching out to the world. Wellspring would provide funding for the cost and an endowment for maintenance of the water feature.
Prakash Mathew moved to approve the concept that was presented and to proceed with incorporating the water feature into the new library. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Directors Report
Charles Pace attended the ODIN Advisory Council meeting. Reports and response times were issues discussed. Two full time equivalent positions were approved to be added to ODIN. Charles Pace and Beth Postema attended the NDLA executive board meeting and continued preparations for the Centennial conference in Fargo this fall. The bookmobile retired as of May 22. This concludes the Fargo Public Library bookmobile program that spanned forty years. The bookmobile is now a fleet vehicle for the City of Fargo. The library is now utilizing locking cases for the DVD collection. These cases are expected to greatly reduce the amount of loss of DVDs. Charles Pace will leave the area for the ALA conference and vacation starting after the budget meeting June 21 and will be back in the office July 10.
Statistical Reports
Door counts were down approximately 2% compared to May 2005, but total circulation increased 8% for the month. Total number of registered borrowers is now more than 53,000.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Carol Sawicki is the new liaison to the board from the Friends. She reported 198 household members to date this year. The next book sale will again be a bag sale on July 19-20. June 6 was the annual meeting. Betty Kerns is now on the Friends Board. The Friends approved $300 to support the Northport grand opening. Circulation personnel will purchase additional book talk titles. There is approximately a $19,000 balance in the account.
Continuing Business
A. Review and approve 2007 budget request
Two downward revisions were made on the draft of the 2007 budget. ODIN expenses for the main library were reduced from $42,500 to $35,000 to reflect savings from the transactions based fee while the main library is closed for construction. The south city node fiber optic capital request is reduced from $107,000 to $31,300 due to other work being done in the area.
The first draft distributed was virtually flat. The second draft added personnel with an approximate 8% increase overall. The additions include a Southpointe Branch Manager, an Interlibrary Loan/Serials Librarian, and one full time technical services position to help with added volume. Outsourcing did not provide the same quality, savings, or functionality as in-house personnel. Also included were a half-time office associate and a half-time shuttle driver between three locations.
Helen Levitt moved to approve the budget draft as written. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Building projects update
Northport construction is virtually complete. Furniture is scheduled to arrive this week. RFID set up is to take place July 6. The phone is now working. The first day and grand opening will be July 13 starting with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The book drop will be left at Hornbachers at first. Two to four people will staff Northport with the duplication of hours from Southpointe.
The design is evolving for the main library. Architects will be back to meet with staff July 14 at 10:00 a.m. Library consultant Bob Rohlf will also be here that day. Interior design samples for Southpointe should be ready by that date.
New Business
A. Update on fundraising campaign
David Baker was unable to make the meeting due to flight delays. Currently a solicitation piece is being developed for prospective donors. The committee is essentially in place, to be announced at the Northport grand opening. The campaign will then begin the major gift solicitation phase. Prakash Mathew has agreed to be the Board liaison to the fundraising committee. The goal has increased to $3 million. A declaration of intent form was distributed as the start of the board component to the campaign. It is important to have an amount meaningful to each person. The donation may be a lump sum or over a 3-5 year period. There will also be a staff component to the campaign.
B. Election of temporary board chair
Prakash Mathew will be the temporary board chair at the next meeting.
Public Comment
The board recognizes Betty Kerns for her dedicated service to the library over the years. Thank you.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled for July 18 at 4:00 in the City Commission room immediately followed by the annual meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen