November 20, 2007 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of November 20, 2007
Present: Gale Chapman, Prakash Mathew, Herb Snyder, Leo Wilking
Absent: Helen Levitt, Suzanne Morrison, Richard Zeck
Staff: Monique Andresen, Eve Haaland, Beth Postema
Others Present: City Commissioner Linda Coates, Michael Hannaher of Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation
Order of Agenda
Leo Wilking moved to approve the order of the agenda as amended with Change Orders for the Carlson Library and Senior Center under Continuing Business and Michael Hannaher’s presentation when available. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Leo Wilking moved to approve the minutes of October 16, 2007; November 5, 2007; and November 13, 2007. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Eve Haaland reported the staff is happy to be in the new Dr. James Carlson Library. Thank you to coworkers and staff for pulling this all together with other duties as assigned. Thank you to Beth who energized the staff. Thank you to the board for their support and encouragement. Thank you to the Friends of the Fargo Public Library who helped physically and financially with the receptions. Thank you to the donors who helped make this possible. Thank you to the citizens of Fargo for supporting libraries.
Director’s Report
Beth Postema reported the steel has been delivered for the main library and will start going up in the next two weeks. Paperwork has been reviewed by the city attorney to secure the Roberts Street location through June 2009. Substantial completion date for the main library is mid February. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning balancing will happen through March. In theory, the library could open the week of National Library Week, April 12, 2009.
The Dr. James Carlson Library is now open thanks to many people including the library staff, City IT staff, and construction crews all pulling together in so many different ways. The closing party for Southpointe was successful and appreciated.
The Children’s Librarian candidate scheduled for an interview withdrew. More interviews will be scheduled next week. An interview for the collection manager position will also take place next week.
Statistical Reports
Expenditures are tracking on budget. A left turn signal will be installed at the entrance to the new Dr. James Carlson Library due to increased traffic. The parking lot is always full.
Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Endowment Fund
The Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation recently conducted a seminar about new tools and rules of charitable giving highlighting a new North Dakota tax credit for business to qualified endowment funds. This is available to any form of business and they would receive a tax credit in the amount of 40% of the gift up to $10,000.
A qualified endowment requires principal protection. The library endowment fund set up in 1993 is unique in that it allows for principal invasion, which has been utilized in the past. The current balance is $90,484 as of October 31, 2007.
Michael Hannaher would recommend a sub fund to be a Fargo Public Library permanent endowment fund. This could help grow the endowment. Currently a tax deduction is available for contributors, but no tax credit. The library is still in a capital campaign phase, but this could be used as a springboard to thinking of the library as a philanthropic entity.
Leo Wilking moved the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation be requested to prepare a restricted endowment fund to take advantage of the new tax credit with no balance in the new fund to date. Gale Chapman seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
There is no report at this time.
Continuing Business
A. Library Director Search
The background check has been completed and the drug screen should be completed yet this week. No official start date has been set.
B. Dr. James Carlson Library grand opening report
The grand opening was overwhelmingly successful. 1,400 people came to the library Friday. Over the weekend 6,311 items checked out. Monday was still busy with 1,436 people. The library received very positive coverage in the newspaper and television reports. Staff are really busy.
C. Change orders for Dr. James Carlson Library and senior center
Change orders were presented for the Ed Clapp Senior Center. The library is not responsible for payment, but the Fargo Public library is the contracting agent.
Leo Wilking moved to accept the Senior Center change orders at no cost to the library. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Change orders were presented for the Dr. James Carlson Library.
Leo Wilking moved to approve the change orders for the Dr. James Carlson Library. The motion was withdrawn.
Leo Wilking moved the requested change orders be deferred to the building committee for review. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
Leo Wilking moved the library be closed January 1, 2008, and the remaining 2008 holiday schedule be reviewed in January if needed. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Leo Wilking moved the December 18, 2007, regular board meeting be cancelled and reconvening at the next meeting January 15, 2008 at the normal time. Gale Chapman seconded the motion; the motion carried.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen