January 15, 2008 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of January 15, 2008
Present: Helen Levitt, Gale Chapman, Prakash Mathew, Herb Snyder, Leo Wilking
Absent: Suzanne Morrison, Richard Zeck
Staff: Monique Andresen, Tim Dirks, Eve Haaland, Steve Hubbard, Beth Postema
Others Present: City Commissioner Linda Coates
Order of Agenda
Herb Snyder moved to approve the order of the agenda. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
Leo Wilking moved to approve the minutes of November 20, 2007. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Eve Haaland reported the staff is very busy at the new Dr. James Carlson Library. Many new library cards are being processed for new patrons. Children’s programming has started at the Dr. James Carlson Library. A picture of one of the programs was in the Forum over the school vacation break. Different community groups have had tours of the facility. The community room and conference room are heavily used. Staff had training took place in November on back safety. Thank you to the board for the brunch in January.
Director’s Report
Helen Levitt welcomed the new director Tim Dirks and thanked Beth Postema for her time as Interim Director. The director’s report started with a listing of meetings over the first week of employment.
Tim Dirks reported the new Collection Development Manager, Kristin Hektner, will start January 21. Interviews are taking place for the Children’s Librarian and Library Associate II positions.
Pre-cast concrete is being placed at the Main Library construction site. Construction crews believe they will be completed on time or before depending on the weather. Furniture that was still on order for Carlson is arriving.
Variations in usage statistics will be expected as the construction projects continue. This year the library relocated into a small temporary downtown location without the complete collection available. Doors were closed during the moving process to Roberts Street as well as the move from Southpointe to the Dr. James Carlson Library. While overall usage has decreased, Northport usage has increased significantly since opening July 2006.
Statistical Reports
There was no further discussion of statistical reports.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Carol Sawicki reported the Friends of the Fargo Public Library met January 8. The Friends have $14,497.68 in the treasury and have solicited requests from Tim Dirks of what may be needed for the facilities. Previously membership drives took place during large book sale events at the Main Library. Without that venue, memberships for 2007 decreased from previous years. A book sale area is in place at the Dr. James Carlson Library and carts are at the other two locations with Friends books for sale. The prices have been adjusted for book sale items. A hard cover book is now two dollars.
Continuing Business
A. Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Endowment Fund Agreement
In November the board heard from Michael Hannaher about a restricted endowment fund that would have certain tax advantages to North Dakotans. Leo Wilking moved to adopt the formal agreement for a Fargo Public Library Endowment Fund II with the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
New Business
A. Collection Development Team’s recommendations regarding current material challenges
A statement of concern was received regarding the movie Borat requesting in be restricted to adults.
It was determined by the Collection Development Team the movie Borat met the library collection development criteria. The library does not act in loco parentis. It was recommended to retain this movie in our collection.
A second statement of concern was received regarding offensive cover art on Vibe magazine. This magazine was also reviewed by the Collection Development Team and fit all the collection development criteria for the library. With the new facility magazines are now displayed with the face out. No portion of the access to materials policy details cover art.
Tim Dirks will review other library policies for best practices nationwide regarding movies and video games with rating systems. He will research the American Library Association for a position on the subject and report back to the board at the next meeting.
Currently the library has video games that are rated E for everyone and T for teen but has not purchased mature rated games. The library also does not purchase rated X movies.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen