March 25, 2003 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of March 25, 2003
Present: Board Members Betty Kerns, Jean Rayl, and Helen Levitt
Library Director Charles Pace
Staff Members: Monique Andresen, Beth Postema, Nancy Giere, Steve Hubbard, and Friends Liaison Bob Mason
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 February 25. Virginia Dambach seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Reports
Nancy Giere gave the staff representative report. The winter reading program ended with 1,333 preschool children participating; 624 from the main library, 337 from Southpointe, and 372 from the bookmobile. 33 children in grades 3 and above participated, turning in several sheets each. Also, 71 adults participated this year.
The bookmobile again was in the central garage for repairs and not running for two days.
Eric Leinen has joined our adult circulation staff and Lindsey Guderjahn has joined our reference staff this month. Welcome to both of you.
National Library week is April 6 to April 12 with panel discussions or activities planned each evening.
Steve Hubbard reported on the status of the Bodmer and Catlin prints restoration project. The library acquired 15 prints over twenty years ago depicting the American West in the 1830s. We hired an archivist from the Plains Art Museum to analyze these prints. These range in value from $2,000 to $5,000 each. The framing and matting of these prints are in need of restoration, which is estimated at $250 for each print.
These images are very close to what Lewis and Clark would have seen along the Missouri River. It is timely to restore and promote this collection of prints with the resurgence of interest in the Lewis and Clark trail. We are starting a fundraising brochure for the public to sponsor the restoration of an individual print. Other options would be collaboration with the Friends of the Fargo Public Library and granting opportunities.
LSSI Management Report
The Fargo Public Library will serve as a test library for the implementation of the new Ex Libris system. A test server is set up in the reference office to get an idea of how it will work. A circulation questionnaire is currently underway and Jackie Lang and Carol Sawicki are busily correcting corrupted data in our database. This time next year we will be preparing to go live on this new system.
A Beaumont Foundation Grant was completed today. We are requesting twelve new laptop computers. Charles Pace will keep us posted as to the progress and outcome. A grant of $1,500 was received to partially fund a Macintosh computer lab in Youth Services. Ann Miller and Denise Matulka are looking at other grants and options that we might have to fund the remainder of the computer lab.
Prakash Mathew, Betty Kerns, and Charles Pace met with the mayor March 14. They discussed the possible replacement of the bookmobile. The mayor spoke favorably regarding the creation of a north side branch facility and encouraged the library to bring this forward as part of the 2004 budget request.
Library Newsletter:
March 3, in support of Read Across America, the Fargo Public Library staff, volunteers, and City of Fargo employees (including Mayor Bruce Furness) read an assortment of Dr. Suess books throughout the day in the librarys lobby. Two local television stations covered the event.
The Cat in the Hat made another appearance along with the bookmobile in the St Patricks Day parade March 15. Many spectators pulled Bill Mieloch aside so they could take pictures of him as the Cat in the Hat with their children.
Board Workshop:
The board workshop with Pat Wagner was very successful. Many issues were covered related to board communications with staff, the director, and among board members themselves. One suggestion was that at least once per year we should have a meeting with the board and staff to discuss human resources issues in context with city policy and the relationship of staff members with the board. Copies of the workshop handouts along with relevant sections of the city human resources policies were include in the board packets.
Southpointe News:
The book drop at Southpointe was dented badly when a car slid into it. It is usable for the time being, but we will need to replace it.
There is a crack in the back wall of our facility as well as chipping paint on the castle. The crack in the wall should be covered by the contractor warranty. The castle may require a plastic guard or covering. Charles Pace will keep us posted.
Statistical Reports
January financial statistics broke out Southpointe expenses. Payroll and benefits are estimated in January and February, but starting in March, we will code those hours separately to reflect actual expenses.
Total door count was 42,781, an increase of 43% from last year. This includes a 26% increase in the number of people walking through the door at the main library.
Fines for February were $4,600. Copier fees also have increased greatly since installing the print management software.
Friends of Fargo Public Library Report
The Friends of the Fargo Public Library did not meet since the last board of directors meeting. The checking account balance is approximately $9,000. A working session is scheduled for April 7 to sort and get ready for the book sale April 11 and April 12.
Continuing Business
A. Revised registration policy
The revised registration policy was included in the board packet to add to the policy manual distributed in January.
B. Review revised Interlibrary Loan policy
The revised Interlibrary Loan policy was distributed.
New Business
A. Approve north side branch concept
The bookmobile is getting to the end of its life cycle. Charles Pace proposes to replace it not with another bookmobile, but with a north side branch and explore the option of obtaining a van to maintain an outreach program to area day cares and nursing homes. This also would pave the way for renovating the main library by still providing services from two branches while the main facility is under construction.
We are not serving all of the population in the south yet. The center of the city is now south of 13th Avenue. We also need to consider what affect a north side branch would have on the main facility. The community should be a part of this decision by means of a committee or survey.
Jean Rayl moved to approve the concept of expansion and to investigate further to determine where exactly that may be. Virginia Dambach seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Creation and charge to By-laws committee
Prakash Mathew and Charles Pace will review the by-laws and propose any changes that may be needed. Helen Levitt will look into a code of ethics.
C. Discussion of strategic planning committee
Board members will evaluate the composition of the next strategic planning committee and how it should be put together. Discussion will take place next month.
Public Comment
There is no public comment at this time.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at 4:00 p.m. in the meeting room.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen