August 19, 2008 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of August 19, 2008
Present: Herb Snyder, Gale Chapman, Dawn Morgan, James Council
Absent: Richard Zeck, Suzanne Morrison, Gregory Heller
Others: City Commissioner Mike Williams, Friends Representative Carol Sawicki,
City Director of Finance, Kent Costin, Media
Staff: Tim Dirks, Eve Haaland, Beth Postema, Melisa Duncan, Ginny Mueller
Order of Agenda
Jim Council moved to approve the order of the agenda and Gale Chapman seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Gale Chapman moved to approve the minutes of July 15, 2008. Jim Council seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Eve Haaland reported that the library has had a very productive summer. The summer reading program was extremely successful. There were 108 registered adults with 648 books read. 80 teens registered with 275 books read. “Catch the Reading Bug” was the theme for the kids reading program, which resulted in 1263 registered and 6,160 hours of reading recorded. Computer classes have started at the Carlson library with very good response. Classes have been filling up.
We have given tours of the Carlson library to the YMCA and 32nd Avenue Merchants and Sarah Kauffman has visited a number of summer school classes to inform of our library services. Cindy Mason has done a great job of getting books together for Kids Book Club, which will meet the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at the Carlson library.
Director’s Report
Tim Dirks reported the office position has been filled by Ginny Mueller. An offer has been made and is pending results of the background check for a Library Associate. Interviews are being conducted for another Library Associate and a Children’s Coordinator position.
New Business
Ken Costin, City Director of Finance, presented a tracking report showing $15.5 million in total revenue for the New Main Project, with $13.1 million coming from sales tax and almost $1 million from interest. The report shows a net surplus of $25,000. The construction of the new Main library is currently covered with project revenue. Mike Williams thanked the Building Committee for the actions it has taken to make this project work. It is certainly better to have the $1 million in our revenue instead of paying it out over several years by borrowing the money.
Melisa Duncan presented a very complete report on the timeline of the fund raising campaigns, what specifically was done in each phase and the resulting contributions/ grants. Tim acknowledged Melisa and Beth for all of their hard work and dedication to the project.
Statistical Reports
Attendance has increased 14% year to date from last year. Print circulation has increased approximately 22% year to date and non-print circulation has increased an additional 22%.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Carol Sawicki gave a brief history of the organization and reported that membership currently stands at 106 households. Used books sales for this summer alone have amounted to over $2000.
Continuing Business
A. Circulation Policy Revision
Tim presented the revised policy. Gale Chapman made a motion to approve the policy as presented; Dawn Morgan seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. at which time the Library Board, Staff and Visitors toured the new library building under construction.
Respectfully submitted,
Ginny Mueller