September 16, 2008 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of September 16, 2008
Present: Herb Snyder, Gale Chapman, Dawn Morgan, James Council, Richard Zeck, Suzanne Morrison, Gregory Heller
Others: Friends Representative Carol Sawicki, Media
Staff: Tim Dirks, Eve Haaland, Beth Postema, Ginny Mueller
Introductions were made of all Board Members.
Order of Agenda
Jim Council moved to approve the order of the agenda and Greg Heller seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
A motion was made to approve the minutes of August 19, 2008. The motion was seconded; motion carried.
Staff Report
Eve Haaland reported that the library has been very busy. We have seen some staff turnover, so new people joining us and training. We are beginning the “We the People” event series, which is the result of a grant. Fall Storytime has begun and we have had the first meeting of the Kids Book Club with 7 kids registered. Thank you to the Friends of the Library for generously donating the resources for the Kids Book Club. Peter Rabbit stopped by Carlson Library for a Storytime event, which 38 children attended. Eight staff members will be attending the NDLA Conference in Mandan on September 25 and 26. The Teen Program has been going very well, offering such programs as Uses for Duct Tape. A sample duct tape purse was shown.
Director’s Report
Tim Dirks reported that he has attended several activities and meetings, which are detailed in the Director’s Report distributed. Interviews are being conducted for the Library Associate I position. Applications have been gathered and interviews being set up for the Childrens Coordinator position.
Statistical Reports
Total Circulation for August remained even compared to August 2007 and YTD has increased by almost 19%. The Carlson Library has contributed significantly to the YTD increase. We may be seeing the results of fatigue with the temporary location and limited collection at Main.
Program attendance and internet sign up is up, primarily because of the programs and classes offered at the Carlson Library.
With 2/3rds of the year complete we have utilized 62.59% of our budget. A challenge at this time is working Northport’s expenses into the 2008 operating budget, since it was not included when the budget was initially drawn up.
A Cumulative Revenue and Expenditure Report was presented on the Library Construction Capital Product Fund as of August 15, 2008. The projected project balance is $197,287.
Friends of the Library Report
Carol Sawicki reported that the friends are setting up a blog and are becoming more progressive with electronic interaction. The Friends will help in any way they can with the Grand Opening of the new Main Library. They are working on a draft of a fundraising letter and a membership letter.
Tim and library staff have met with an event planner, who may be considered to assist with events/programs for the opening of the new Main Library. The Friends of the Library have indicated that they will help with the cost of the planner/events. The event planner’s fee will not come out of the operating budget.
New Business
A. FFE Bid Results
Correspondence dated September 5, 2008, from Traci Lesneski, Principal/Head of Interiors at MS&R, was reviewed. It summarized the bid results for the furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new Main Library. If the estimates for office furniture are in line, the estimated FF&E budget will have a surplus of $170,269.91.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ginny Mueller