August 25, 2003 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of August 25, 2003
Present: Board members: Betty Kerns, Prakash Mathew, Jean Rayl, Helen Levitt, and Virginia Dambach
Library Director Charles Pace
Staff members: Nancy Giere, Beth Postema
Friends Liaison Bob Mason
LSSI President Frank Pezzanite
City Attorney Gary Stewart
City Finance Coordinator Kent Costin
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. Helen Levitt moved to approve the minutes of July 22. Jean Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Reports
Nancy Giere reported that Erin Halvorson has resigned from the library due to her other position becoming full-time. Erin Smith has been hired and has started as a full-time librarian in Children’s Services. Cindy Peterson has been hired as a part-time shelver in Children’s. Nancy relayed the report from reference librarian Greg Gilstrap on the success of the 15-minute walk-up internet terminal. She also distributed the bookmobile schedule for the next nine months and reported on the increase in the number of daycares served.
LSSI Management Report
Charles Pace reported on the continuing work being done in preparation for the conversion to the Ex Libris integrated library software package. Edie Discher has been doing much of the planning work to this point, with cataloging and circulation staff cleaning up databases in preparation for the move.
Charles made a library presentation to the Fargo Kiwanis group and also hosted a staff barbecue at his home.
The board was informed of what was included in the library’s portion of the Mayor’s proposed 2004 budget. Prakash Mathew expressed his extreme surprise regarding only $10,000 in capital budget requests being funded. City Finance Coordinator Kent Costin stated that this year’s budget emphasis was on personnel.
Statistical Reports
Library activity numbers continue to be strong. Program attendance, electronic activity, and registrations all show increases. In terms of programs, Dr. Neal Barnard’s nutrition presentation brought in 85 people. At the Southpointe branch, program attendance for Summer Reading Program events was very good. Charles Pace has received a proposal from the real estate agent representing the adjacent empty space to the branch. He has forwarded this proposal to architect Richard Moorhead for his feasibility assessment.
The library’s finances are in good shape for the remainder of the year. Expenditures are on target.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Bob Mason reported that Friends membership stands at 223 households, with a total of 389 households on the Friends mailing list. Many individuals have indicated that they are willing to work as volunteers to help on Friends’ projects. The Friends’ has a bank balance of $9,390 at this time.
Continuing Business
A. LSSI contract legal issues
City Attorney Gary Stewart reviewed the conditions under which the board may go into executive session as outlined in the North Dakota Century Code. The board discussed events which have led to this juncture and the potential action of dissolving the library’s contract with LSSI. Jean Rayl moved that the board dissolve the contract with LSSI and that the board go into executive session to determine terms of dissolution with library counsel. Helen Levitt seconded the motion. Kerns, Mathew, Rayl, and Levitt voted in favor of the motion; Dambach opposed.
The board went into executive session at 5:09 p.m.
The board returned from executive session at 5:45 p.m. Gary Stewart reported that an offer had been made to Frank Pezzanite to end the contract effective October 31 and that the library would pay LSSI a fee of $5,100. Frank Pezzanite accepted the offer. Helen Levitt moved that the board accept these terms as negotiated. Jean Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Gary Stewart complimented Frank Pezzanite on the agreeable manner in which the contract was ended for the mutual benefit. Betty Kerns stated that LSSI has been good for the Fargo Public Library. Frank Pezzanite said that LSSI has enjoyed its association with the Fargo Public Library for the past two and a half years.
New Business
There is no new business at this time.
Public Comment
There is no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17, and 4:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Postema