August 20, 2002 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of August 20, 2002
Present: Board Members Betty Kerns, Prakash Mathew, Virginia Dambach, Jean Rayl, and Helen Levitt
Library Director Charles Pace
Staff Members: Edie Discher, Monique Andresen, Cindy Wray and Friends Liaison Bob Mason
LSSI Representative: Tom Hehmann
Order of Agenda
Jean Rayl made the motion to approve the order of agenda. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
There are no additions to the minutes at this time. Virginia Dambach moved to approve the minutes of July 16. Jean Rayl seconded the motion; motion carried.
Staff Reports
Edie Discher reported on the status of the Southpointe Branch Library. It opened to the public August 6, with approximately 700 people throughout the day. An average day is now 300 to 400 people. 175 library cards were created the first week. The courier service is kept very busy returning books to the main library. We received 60 boxes of new books last week, and are waiting on the audiovisual materials. The patrons have given very positive comments. The questions now being asked are when is story time and when will building start for a permanent south branch.
Cindy Wray reported on the summer reading program held from June 10 through August 10. 1,400 kids ages 1 ½ years to eighth grade took part in the program. Over 650 children earned certificates for reading eight hours. Sixty children read for thirty hours. Together, children recorded 8,500 hours of reading this summer.
170 adults and young adults turned in book logs. The first 100 people who turned in book logs received a book bag. A drawing was held at the end of the summer for Barnes and Noble gift certificates.
In all, 75 programs were held throughout the summer with very good attendance averaging 30 to 70 people. The Kickoff carnival had 500 in attendance, while the Harry Potter birthday party had 300 people. It was a very busy summer.
LSSI Management Report
The ODIN Steering Committee held its final meeting in Minot on July 23. Ex Libris rated the highest in three of the four major categories, and virtually tied for first in the fourth category. The steering committee presented their findings to the ODIN Advisory Council on July 29. The recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the Advisory Council, which then directed Tony Stukel to enter negotiations with Ex Libris. The current timeline calls for a contract to be signed in October/November with implementation to begin the following spring. Migrating to the new system is scheduled to be completed by December 2003.
Attached is a letter written by Mr. Paul Simley thanking the library staff for all of their good work. Charles Pace shared this letter with the staff and the board.
Library Newsletter:
New members joined the Board of the Friends of the Library: Carolyn Bowe, Audrey Richmond, Barb Hoppe, Sandy Huseby, and Brad Stephenson.
Storefront Library Status:
The Southpointe Branch opened on August 6 with approximately 700 people in attendance. Two local television stations covered the opening day including a story time hosted by Factoid Boy. Over 30 children and parents attended. A temporary banner sign is on the exterior of the building, and permanent signage is being negotiated between the architect and the landlord. We are expecting a third public access computer in the next few weeks. We have not yet received our audiovisual material.
The gala grand opening will be August 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., preceded by a luncheon from 11:00 am to 12:30 p.m. The grand opening celebration will include cake and punch, celebrity story time, clowns, the El Zagel Band, face painting, Factoid Boy, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Gates Grant:
A security camera was installed in the computer lab area to assist in monitoring this space.
Library Public Relations Campaign:
The campaign is wrapping up. Overall, the campaign has been successful in raising awareness of the new Southpointe Branch and library services in general.
Staff News and Reports:
Anne Moynihan has joined our staff as an assistant in the circulation department. Welcome to the library! We are currently reviewing applications to fill the part time reference librarian position vacated by Rodney Nelson.
Statistical Reports
Non-print circulation was up by a very strong 24% from one year ago. Total circulation increased 4% from the same time one year ago, and increased 10% year to date from 2001.
Youth circulation decreased slightly from very high levels we experienced last year. We attribute this to a change in the way we conduct the Summer Reading Program, which puts an emphasis on the amount of time spent reading and not the number of books read. The opening of the new Gates Computer lab has given us a huge increase in total electronic activity. Electronic usage increased 22% over the same time one year ago. From one year ago, Internet sign-up increased 66%.
Friends of Fargo Public Library Report
The Friends of the Fargo Public Library has 208 members with $6,326 collected in dues and donations. The book sale held July 18 and 19 generated $1,490. The current area is very crowded and space issues need to be addressed. The Friends of the Fargo Public Library are willing to fund the expenses for moving shelving in to the computer lab five feet to accommodate traffic in the Friends area. Current requests granted are for a new all weather picnic table for approximately $110, grand opening expenses up to $500, and the honorarium for children’s author Ben Mikaelsen for $500.
Continuing Business
A. Discussion of library card registration policy.
Several area libraries were contacted regarding replacement library card fees. All those contacted except West Fargo charge between fifty cents and one dollar. West Fargo is currently automating their processes and issuing all new library cards. The Fargo Public Library currently charges one dollar for replacement library cards. A customer service training session will be held this fall to help circulation staff to better educate our patrons on our policies.
B. Budget Update.
The City of Fargo 2003 preliminary budget detail was distributed before the board meeting. All items appear to have been funded except the LSSI administrative and other direct labor cost requests.
New Business
A. Creation of LSSI contract renewal/negotiating team.
Jean Rayl and Virginia Dambach will form a subcommittee to enter negotiations with LSSI.
B. Recommendation to retain challenged material.
Virginia Dambach moved to retain challenged material. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Review and approve revisions to ILL and Gifts Policies.
Virginia Damach moved to approve the Gifts Policy as written. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Virginia Dambach moved to approve the Interlibrary Loan Policy as written. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
Tom Hehmann reiterated the comment that LSSI is very pleased to have been a part of the Fargo Public Library for the past year and a half and would like very much to be a part of what happens in the future. They have enjoyed working with the Library Board, the city and staff. It appears we are headed into a negotiation and LSSI is pleased of the opportunity.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2002, at 4:00 p.m. in the meeting room.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen