March 19, 2002 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of March 19, 2002
Present: Board Members Virginia Dambach, Betty Kerns, Jean Rayl and Prakash Mathew
Library Director Charles Pace
Staff Members: Edie Discher, Sandy Boutain, Monique Andresen and Friends Liaison Bob Mason
Order of Agenda
Jean Rayl made the motion to approve the order of agenda. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Minutes
There are no additions to the minutes at this time.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports at this time.
LSSI Management Report
Six proposals for the ODIN system replacement have been received and are currently being reviewed by the Steering Committee. Staff members included on the E-Teams, which are charged with reviewing the various components of the proposed automation systems, are Edie Discher, Lori West and Pamela Strait. The ODIN steering committee expects to make a final decision early this fall.
The cooperative library card agreement with West Fargo is still slated to go forward. However, it is taking longer than expected to implement the automation of the West Fargo collection.
Two new display shelving units have arrived. These units will replace the single, long shelving unit next to the adult reading area. This should serve to open this part of the library up and give it a more spacious feeling, as well as a more attractive place to display our new books!
The Red River Watercolor Society presented a free demonstration program for students and adults on March 14. This program will also include a display of watercolor books donated to the library by the Red River Watercolor Society. Thirty people attended the demonstration.
Circulating software is now available for checkout in the adult room; fines are 50 cents per day.
Internet basics classes will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 28. Arts Alive! at the library kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23. This program will allow children to be both audience and performers as volunteers from the FM Community Theater lead an interactive program for elementary students. Arts Alive! is designed to encourage participation in the arts through fun, hands-on activities.
Classes in the YA computer center have begun and have been very well received by the young people participating. We also ordered some additional YA periodicals and books for use in this area.
The city traffic engineer has advised us that the book drop is too large to be relocated to the East Side of the building as we had originally envisioned. We are currently exploring our alternatives for a new book drop.
Monique Andresen has been hired as our new office manager. Brandi Hassebrock has joined our staff as a part-time circulation assistant. The search continues for a new youth librarian.
Storefront library status
A final review meeting was held on March 11, at 2 p.m. The projected costs are somewhat higher than the $300,000 budgeted by the city. Jean Rayl and Virginia Dambach have been kind enough to agree to head up a fundraising effort to meet some of these extra costs. Their efforts will concentrate primarily on money for the children’s story-time castle, estimated in the vicinity of $12 to $15 thousand. We anticipate an early to mid-June opening date, although that is of course subject to change.
The collection development committee received and analyzed four proposals for the branch opening day collection. Library staff was assisted in this process by LSSI’s in house collection development expert, John Sandstrom. It was decided to recommend Baker & Taylor as our vendor for the ODC.
Greg Gilstrap, Eve Haaland, and Cheryl Lackman will serve as a review team for any materials designated to become part of the branch collection. We currently have a large number of materials pulled from our collection and designated for the branch. Greg and his team will help insure quality control for the ODC.
Statistical Reports
February statistics
The circulation statistics reflect continued growth. Total print was up 13%; total non-print was up by 32%, while total circulation was up 17%. Internet signup increased by 8% over last year at this time, while electronic activity increased by 11%. Registrations were down this month compared to last year at this time. However, the total number of registrations is small, and the percentage change may be misleading.
Friends of Fargo Public Library Report
No formal meetings were held this month. More space will be available to the Friends next week when some shelving units are moved. A one day book sale will be held April 19, in conjunction with National Library week. As of February 28, the bank balance was $11,450. We would like to help financially with the new storefront branch in some way. A “wish list” of possibilities will be created and provided to the Friends.
Continuing Business
A. Approval of budget for branch construction
Betty Kerns moved to approve the tentative budget for branch construction. Jean Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Approval of final branch design plans
Jean Rayl moved to approve the proposed bid design, contingent upon minor changes. Betty Kerns seconded the motion; the motion carried.
C. Approval of Opening Day Collection contract
Jean Rayl moved to approve the Opening Day Collection contract. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
D. Gates grants update
On February 21, Charles Pace and Sandy Boutain attended a workshop “Before your Computers Arrive”. The computers for Fargo should be received some time in early May, as we are slated to be the first in the state to get them. The computers themselves will be top of the line models with flat panel screens and eighty-gigabyte hard drives. Sandy Boutain and Beth Postema will go to Seattle at the expense of the Gates Foundation for a four-day training session. The computer lab itself is intended to be a training and educational resource for the entire state of North Dakota.
New Business
A. Request for resolution in support of Library on Wheels
Charles Pace has been invited to address the County Commission on this topic at their meeting April 1. The bookmobile is envisioned as a completely grant funded project with the county being responsible for ongoing operating expenses. Therefore, any costs to the city and to FPL should be negligible. Betty Kerns moved to approve a resolution in support of Library on Wheels. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Selection of name for branch
Betty Kerns moved to name the storefront branch “Southpointe Branch”. Jean Rayl seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held on April 16, at 4:00 p.m. in the meeting room.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen