January 16, 2007 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Present: Prakash Mathew, Suzanne Morrison, Herb Snyder, Richard Zeck, Gale Chapman
Absent: Helen Levitt, 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
Order of Agenda
Herb Snyder moved to approve the order of the agenda. Suzanne Morrison seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Suzanne Morrison moved to approve the minutes of December 19, 2006. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Eve Haaland reported over 200 people attended our farewell celebration December 19 to say goodbye to the main library. It closed December 23. There have been positive articles in the Forum and interviews on different television stations regarding the library projects. Staff is now very busy with the move. Cross training is continuing with Eve Haaland and Denise Cameron training in cataloging/processing areas. Diane Briggs and Tom Fortin will be training in circulation. Saturday story time continues to be successful. Lori West is now updating the web site. Work teams have been assigned for this year as is outlined in the board packets.
Director’s Report
Cleaning has been a frustration at Southpointe. Areas are being missed and issues of accountability arise due to the fact the contracts are administered by buildings and grounds instead of the library. Branch Services Manager interviews conclude this week. Someone should be in place by the next board meeting. Teams were adjusted this year to accommodate our changing environments. No facilities team will be in place this year due to the amount of meetings held for all staff pertaining to buildings. An innovations team has been added to analyze and put into effect new ideas.
Statistical Reports
Circulation increased over 7% for the year. New this year, over 170 people applied for a library card online.
Cataloging produced 10,841 records; 14,199 discards; 5,700 deleted by weeding teams; and 1,600 serial records. Our cataloger Jackie Lang is an immense asset to the library. She has handled more cataloging records than anyone in the state. Through the ODIN network someone asked how many people log in as Jackie because they couldn’t believe one person could be so productive.
We collected $10,000 over the budget amount of $75,000 in fines and fees. State aid increased unexpectedly by $51,000 from the previous year. Approximately $40,000 remains in the operating budget. The library has contributed over $100,000 to the city for year end surplus.
Linda Coates stated the public safety building in the industrial park was funded through city surpluses from four to five years. The library will not be funded from this. This year any surplus will be used for the vehicle replacement fund.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
The January board meeting worked nicely in the workroom at Northport. Approximately $23,062 is in the treasury. $20 gift certificates were given to all staff members at the farewell celebration December 19. Currently the group is building a mailing list. A post office box will be acquired and utilized for membership. A new brochure is being produced. The proposed mission states Friends of the Fargo Public Library are people of the community who support the library with advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering. The nominating committee is in search of new board members. The committee welcomes suggestions for volunteers. Book carts are still located at the branches for book sale items.
Continuing Business
A. Library move and 408 Roberts Street progress report
Movers and contractors are vying for the same space at the public safety building. Ductwork is yet to be hung in the warehouse area where the collection will be housed. All of the materials have been moved. There are telecommunications issues at 408 Roberts Street to clear before opening.
The downtown temporary site may open as early as next week. It is a single door entry to 6,000 square feet. Many more items are held at the Roberts Street location than anticipated which made the move go faster. The movers were done a week ahead of schedule.
Administration and technical services are waiting for the public safety building fit up to be complete. The main library should be empty by February 1, February 15 is the latest. Other libraries throughout North Dakota are taking shelving and display units. The assessor’s office inherited a desk the library inherited from the finance office. Solid waste took most of the reading room chairs. The air museum is taking some furnishings along with the USS Fargo model. This is a sustainable act of recycling materials.
B. Building progress report
MS&R are the architects of record for the main library. Additional soil testing was done in December. Additional foundation work is necessary for the expanded sides. This will include 65 caissons 125 feet deep at $6,000 to $8,000 each increasing the budget $400,000 to $500,000.
Construction bids for the St Cloud library came back under budget. he finance committee is discussing bridge financing tomorrow morning. This would cover the three to five year pledges and unforeseen expenses. The bonding amount is not yet determined and revenue not yet identified.
Bid opening will be the end of February, awarding contracts March 12 and starting work March 13.
Asbestos abatement is estimated at $100,000 for the low level residue in the building. The bid award will be February 12 with work to happen prior to March 12.
C. Fundraising progress report
Many gifts came in at year end. The areas named include the Carlson Library, two large conference rooms, three study rooms, the main meeting room at Carlson, and the fireplace room at main. A grant proposal has been submitted for the children’s theatre area. The campaign has raised $1.3 million to date. A capital grant proposal will be the last piece as it is a formula driven proposal.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen