February 20, 2007 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Present: Prakash Mathew, Suzanne Morrison, Herb Snyder, Richard Zeck, Helen Levitt
Absent: Gale Chapman, Leo Wilking
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Carol Sawicki
Staff: Monique Andresen, Tom Fortin, Eve Haaland, Beth Postema
Others Present: City Commissioner Linda Coates, David Baker of Hodge Cramer
Order of Agenda
The order of the agenda was approved with no corrections or additions.
Minutes
Herb Snyder moved to approve the minutes of January 16, 2007. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Eve Haaland reported staff members are settling in to the temporary facilities. The administrative offices are now located at the Public Safety Building. The RFID process will start in the warehouse area as soon as the contractors are done. A staff potluck brunch was held at Roberts Street location to celebrate the completion of the moves.
Story times have started with an additional morning story time at Southpointe. The afternoon story time will now be at Northport instead of downtown. Two preschool tours will take place this week at the Roberts Street location. More are scheduled for March.
Eight staff members attended a conference in Moorhead entitled Next Generation Librarianship. Staff members that participated include Eve Haaland, Zach Packineau, Amanda Bremmon, Andrea Tieman, Jada Goplin, Cindy Liudahl, Cheryl Lackman, and Karen Kohoutek.
Sara Watson resigned from her Library Associate I position with her last day being February 28. This is now being advertised. The technology librarian and circulation librarian applications are being reviewed.
Director’s Report
Asbestos removal bids came in lower than anticipated at $85,000. Steel is being erected for the Carlson library. Bid opening for main construction is February 28. Much of the furnishings from the old library were recycled by area libraries and other city departments.
Statistical Reports
5,883 items checked out at the temporary downtown location in January with doors opening ahead of schedule. Branch circulation and web site hits remain positive. Expenses are on track one month into the cycle.
David Baker gave a brief update on fundraising. The committee is working on elements of the public campaign.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Carol Sawicki reported the Friends met last week. They have funds of $22,846. A new post office box has been opened and mail can be sent to PO Box 1365. Membership letters were sent out with approximately 100 household memberships received so far this year. Last year ended with 220 household memberships. The Friends have pledged $10,000 to the capital campaign. A new brochure is under way and they continue to position themselves for when the new libraries open. The book sale carts at the branches are doing very well.
New Business
A. 2007-2008 organizational chart
Suzanne Morrison moved to accept the organizational chart contingent upon revisiting it by January, 2008. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. RFP for Opening Day Collection for Dr. James Carlson Library
$350,000 has been budgeted for the opening day collection of the Dr. James Carlson Library. The RFP will be advertised February 26, March 5 and March 12 with a submission deadline of March 16. The future opening day collection for the main library will be larger, ideally $1 million. Herb Snyder moved to approve moving forward with the request for proposals. Richard Zeck seconded the motion; the motion carried.
C. Library Director job description
The deadline for city modifications or revisions of job descriptions is April 1. The position will be advertised at some point. Prakash Mathew appointed Suzanne Morrison, Helen Levitt, and Herb Snyder to a committee to review the description with Beth Postema and City Human Resources. A proposal will be brought forward to the next board meeting. An invitation will be extended to Dana Sue Busch, City of Fargo Human Resources Director, to attend the next board meeting to answer questions pertaining to description revisions.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen