February 19, 2001 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of February 19, 2001
Board Chair Virginia Dambach called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm
Present: Virginia Dambach, Ryn Pitts, Betty Kerns, Jean Rayl, Prakash Mathew, Lynn Wheeler
Order of Agenda
No additions or corrections were made to the agenda. Pitts moved to accept the order of the agenda. Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
There were no additions or corrections made to the January 23, 2001 minutes. Rayl made the motion to approve the minutes. Kerns seconded the motion; the motion carried.
E-Book Update
Librarian Edie Discher gave a presentation regarding e-book technology and demonstrated how to use the new FPL e-book. Board members asked Discher questions and each had an opportunity to examine the e-book.
Staff Report
JoAnn Mikula gave the board details of her position as FPL Business Manager.
LSSI Management Report
Wheeler reported that the deadline for teams to complete their 2001 work plans is March 7. Steve Hubbard, representing the Facilities Team and Rick Lane, Traffic Engineer, discussed closing the 1st Street entrance and widening the 4th Avenue entrance to make it both the entrance and exit. The Buildings and Grounds Department made facility improvements, including installing new carpet in the lobby and staff room and painting the lobby. Maintenance is also changing the fluorescent bulbs in the entire building. Wheeler has taken groups of staff members on field trips to Kinko’s, Barnes and Noble, and the Eagles Kindergarten Center with the idea of identifying ten things that the staff could adapt for the library. Thanks to Dambach, the FPL has a lead on getting a free Xerox color printer.
Wheeler’s office is now located in the original Director’s office and Rhonda Roesler is in the office previously known as the North Dakota Room, which may be used for technology training in the future. Roesler’s duties have shifted from administrative to technical. She is working with the IT Department, providing technology support and managing the library’s Web site. Margo Askin’s job description has expanded to include public relations duties. Wheeler commended FPL employee Rachel Hall, a high school senior who received a $21,000 grant to attend St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. In response to a woman calling to inquire about getting a ride to the library, Diane Briggs contacted the MAT system and arranged for seniors to ride to and from the library for half price. The Fargo Senior Commission said they would offer free rides to seniors who want to come to the library as long as they were given 3 days advanced notice of the trip. The FPL is investigating a bench at the bus stop and possible partners for the project.
Wheeler, Bob and Virginia Dambach, and Pamela Drayson, NDSU Librarian attended a Libraries for the Future meeting in Bismarck. At the request of the Barbara Bush Foundation, representatives came to find out what the foundation could do for libraries in North Dakota. Brainstorming resulted in the two top needs of staff development and technology funding. Wheeler called the Gates Foundation and found out that North Dakota is scheduled to receive funding in 2002. The state is proceeding with the fiber optics backbone and although libraries are not mentioned as partners now, involvement could be beneficial.
Pitts asked if any other LSSI representatives have visited the FPL. Wheeler said Fran Ware and Frank Pezzanite were the only two LSSI visitors, but she anticipates more visitors to the library as needs arise. Wheeler expects to be at the FPL until June and anticipates that the advertisement for a permanent director will begin in March. Pitts asked Wheeler about duration of the search for a permanent director. LSSI will begin advertising for a permanent director in March and hope to interview into June; Wheeler will stay onsite until a director is in place. In response to an inquiry from Rayl, Wheeler confirmed that PLA is in Phoenix, Arizona in March of 2002 and said registration information will be given to board members closer to that time.
Statistical Report
A revised 2000 year-end report showing a $17,000 end of the year balance was included in the board packet. The revised figure was due to the transfer of equipment purchases to the capital account. The library will establish sample days to gather information desk statistics rather than logging statistics every day. Wheeler explained that the Outreach statistics have increased because two new sites were added. The bookmobile’s statistics increased because it was off the road due to an accident in 2000 and because of increased demand for library service on the south side of Fargo.
Internet training statistics increased because of more publicity. Wheeler emphasized the need for improved technology to build credibility with the public before additional training opportunities can be offered. Two months of book orders were delayed which accounts for the decrease in new materials added to the collection.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Friends liaison Bev Quamme was absent; Wheeler made Friends announcements in Quamme’s absence. Members of the Friends were meeting on February 19, 2001 to sort donated books. For National Library Week the Friends are sponsoring a Teddy Roosevelt program in which Steve Stark impersonates Teddy Roosevelt. The Friends are interested in doing a calendar or stationery from the Karl Bodmer prints in the public meeting room and will investigate the idea of a coffee kiosk in the library.
Continuing Business
Rayl had to leave the meeting before its conclusion to attend a City Commissioners’ meeting, so the Board discussed action items that required a vote before she left.
Board Orientation Package recommendation:
Pitts made the motion to approve the Board Orientation Package recommendation. Kerns seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Liaison to Board
Wheeler stressed the importance of a staff liaison because it establishes a link between the board and the staff. The board can officially ask the staff liaison for input, opinions, and information. A staff liaison to the board also gives all staff members a context for board decisions. Kerns made the motion to have a staff liaison to the board. Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
New Business
Kaleidoscope Partnership
Wheeler gave background on the Kaleidoscope program, which is a partnership of agencies, such as Fargo Public schools, YWCA, WIC, and Head Start that serve children from birth to six years old. Kaleidoscope wants to build a new facility and asked the FPL to consider being an official partner as the project moves forward. Rayl made a motion that the FPL should continue to be a part of the discussion with Kaleidoscope, but should not commit further at this point. Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Downtown Community Partnership
Margo Askin and Diane Briggs are on the events committee for the Downtown Community Partnership and they recommended that the FPL join the partnership. The board determined that the FPL does not need board approval to join the Downtown Community Partnership.
Discussion of Board Survey Results
Wheeler discussed board feedback from the survey she asked them to complete.
Update on Holiday Closings
The official Veteran’s Day service will be on Sunday, November 11, 2001. The FPL will be closed on Sunday with staff taking a holiday during the workweek.
Next Meeting
The next board meeting will be on March 27, 2001 at 4:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Roesler