September 19, 2006 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of September 19, 2006
Present: Prakash Mathew, Helen Levitt, Suzanne Morrison, Herb Snyder, Leo Wilking, Richard Zeck
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Carol Sawicki
Staff: Monique Andresen, Maxine Hilburn, Beth Postema, Tom Fortin
Director: Charles Pace
Others Present: City Commissioner Linda Coates
Order of Agenda
Suzanne Morrison moved to approve the order of the agenda. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Richard Zeck moved to approve the minutes of August 17, 2006. Suzanne Morrison seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
The Children’s Room presented the first of the Ready to Read programs with forty parents participating. The Friends of the Fargo Public Library has funded new books to give to the families who participate. This program will be taken to the Head Start groups in the community in the future.
Story times have started with good attendance. A therapy pets program will be held at the end of the month for children to read one on one with a therapy pet. The jazz concert series is again planned for October.
We have new bookmarks now available designed by staff member Suzanne Strache illustrating our three locations in Fargo.
Julie Knudson and Andrea Cook have taken positions as Library Associate I. We welcome them to the library. Maxine Hilburn is retiring at the end of this month after close to eleven years of service.
Director’s Report
Charles Pace gave his final directors report reviewing accomplishments and opportunities for growth. Prakash Mathew acknowledged the strides the library has made with cutting edge technology at our newest branch and the passage of the tax initiative.
Statistical Reports
This is the first month we had statistics for Northport. It has had steady use since it opened in July. Northport had two thirds as many visitors as Southpointe. There was a 14% increase in circulation in August compared to August 2005. Usage increased 18% for the month.
Financially the library is under budget for the year to date. A new print management system for $20,000 to $30,000 could be purchased this year with the surplus. The local conference attendance is slightly over budget due to NDLA being held in Fargo this year. Several staff members helped with the conference. Those who attended from our library include Monique Andresen, Diane Briggs, Ben Daeuber, Edie Discher, Melisa Duncan, Jake Fejedelem, Tom Fortin, Greg Gilstrap, Eve Haaland, Mary Haedt, Steve Hubbard, Karen Kohoutek, Cheryl Lackman, Bernice Martin, Charles Pace, Beth Postema, Erin Smith, Lori West, and Cynthia Wray.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
The Friends will hold a long range planning session with a facilitator from the national Friends organization mid-November. They will determine if there is a place for the Friends during the construction phase. A survey will go out to all Friends members.
The next book sale is scheduled October 26 and 28.
Funding requests granted include purchased materials for the Ready to Read literacy workshops presented as an outreach opportunity.
Continuing Business
A. Temporary site for downtown library
Two sites were presented as options for the temporary downtown library. Accessibility and size were two attributes evaluated. The size will be approximately that of Southpointe or Northport.
The site at 720 Main Avenue has a lower lease but higher fit-up costs. The city IT department estimated connection costs to be $11,000. This is a highly visible site with little parking.
The site at 408 Roberts Street is slightly larger at 6,000 square feet allowing more services to be located here. The city IT department estimated connection costs to be $10,700. This is not a visible site, but there is more parking.
Both have local owners and both have housed technology firms. It is the recommendation of Charles Pace to proceed with the 408 Roberts Street location.
During the site selection process the Woodrow Wilson School was evaluated as a possibility to lease from the school system. Accessibility for the entire community is not as good when located in a school. This option was not pursued as a temporary site.
Helen Levitt moved to pursue the 408 Roberts Street property as a temporary downtown library site and recommend this to the City Commission. Herb Snyder seconded the motion. With Leo Wilking voting against the motion and all others voting for the motion, the motion carried.
New Business
A. Library director resignation
The board accepted the resignation of Charles Pace.
B. Appoint Interim Director and Interim Deputy Director
Prakash Mathew along with Linda Coates recommended Beth Postema as Interim Director and Tom Fortin as Interim Deputy Director. Suzanne Morrison moved make the appointments as recommended. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, November 17, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen