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Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Library Director’s Office
Bozeman Public Library
May 17, 2006
4:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Ron Farmer, Chair; Jerry Bancroft; Marilyn King; Mayor Jeff Krauss; Wendy Lewis and Chris Mehl, Foundation Board; Lois Dissly and Terri Dood, Staff; and Alice Meister, Director. Guests: Chris Kukulski, City Manager; Marcia Anderson, Foundation Board; Tom McNab, Montana State University (MSU) School of Architecture; Mary Kay Flanagan, Bozeman Lions Club; Jeff Cotterell, Bozeman Lions Club; Don Henson, Bozeman Lions Club; Todd Benson, Bozeman Lions Club, and Marcia Youngman.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:09 p.m. by Chair Farmer.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: PRESENTATION BY TOM MCNAB REGARDING THE MILWAUKEE DEPOT
Chair Farmer changed the agenda so that architect Tom McNab, who heads the MSU Community Design Center, could give a presentation about the proposed design of a new Milwaukee Depot, as the old one was torn down to make room for the new Library. The exterior bricks were saved and palletized, hopefully to be re-used to reconstruct the Depot. The Bozeman Lions Club is interested in re-building the Depot for use as a public meeting area with a multi-use kitchen and eating area and a conference room to accommodate thirty to sixty people. To this end the Lions Club contracted with the Community Design Center (CDC) at the MSU School of Architecture to design a new depot building for those specified needs. CDC consists of architectural students looking for projects within Montana and operates in the fall
and spring semesters. It has been open 30 years and generally accepts one to two projects per semester. The design team of Brandon Hubbard, Tyler Call, and Shea Stewart researched the history of the old Milwaukee Depot as well as construction details. There were three elements they took into consideration: reconstruction of the Depot; a new idea and approach; and a combination of both approaches. They then designed a building that would reflect the building’s historic past as well as its contemporary and future usage. Using salvage brick, the north, east, and west facades would reflect brick details and proportions used in the original Depot. A ramp, accented by lanterns from the time period of the original Depot, would comply with ADA standards. Entering the new Depot would take the visitor from a historic exterior facade into an interior space filled with contemporary accents. There would be a stained concrete floor with a pattern and
carpet tile inserted for easy maintenance. Due to the Lions Club expressed need for a flexible space, the conference room would have the ability to completely open up with the use of a sectional wall that slides open or closed as needed. The kitchen would be designed to accommodate any future tenant as well as use as a serving area for simple meals. The 900 square foot conference room would include many details duplicated from the front facade but with a contemporary look and feel. It also would have access to an exterior deck. The proposed building is sited behind the parking lot, where some parking spaces would be added for shared usage by the Library and Depot, but the building itself has been turned 90 degrees. It has been backed out of the flood plain and also would have the potential for passive solar capability. The building could be approached from either the Library or the trail sites. The entire project was conceptual in
nature with no projection of costs but gives an idea of what could be done. Bancroft complimented the students and McNab, saying the project was incredible and a great blend of old and new. However, the siting of the building is questionable. He commended the Bozeman Lions Club for commissioning the project. Cotterell said the Lions Club had been interested in doing a civic project and also providing a space that could be used for meetings and events by their club as well as opening it up to the community. He said that it could accommodate weddings and receptions. The Lions Club had put its own money into the CDC fee and is now looking for community support. He asked what should be the next step. Henson commented that the property did belong to the Library in the name of the City, and his club wanted to help out the Library as well as improve it. He requested that the Lions Club be allowed to meet there. Chair Farmer
commended the Lions, thanking them for their vision. The next step is to proceed through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The Library is in flux regarding the land south of the new Library so the Trustees are unable to make a final decision at this time. McNab and the Lions Club members left the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Youngman recommended that there be a RFP for the depot reconstruction, as the Montana Outdoor Science School (MOSS) is still interested and needs to make a decision by July. It is possible that the Lions and MOSS could combine their interest in the Depot and share the space. There are other places on the site where the building could be located. Youngman advocates doing the RFP so it doesn’t affect the larger plans regarding that land but would allow such entities as MOSS and the Lions Club an opportunity to move forward with plans. Kukulski noted that no site has been specified for the Depot. Youngman said
that the site is close to a riparian area, that it should line up with Wallace Avenue, and it could be on one of the triangles at the end of the property. She left the meeting at 4:55 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the April 26 and May 3, 2006 meetings were approved as submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE
Meister received a notice from the State Library regarding changing the reimbursement to Montana libraries for interlibrary loans, which would involve dividing available funds in half with every eligible library receiving one-half of these available funds. The other half would be distributed to net loaning libraries, which lend more materials than they borrow such as the Bozeman Public Library. No library may levy service charges, handling charges, or use fees for interlibrary loans; postage charges are discouraged but not expressly prohibited. There will be a public hearing on these changes on June 8 in Helena at the State Library. A letter from the Berkshire Publishing Group stated the Bozeman Public Library was not chosen for inclusion in the Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love book. A Certificate of Distinction was enclosed with the letter. A letter of resignation effective June 10 was received from shelver Lindsay Dick. Cindy Christin received a note from a La
Motte School teacher and her students thanking her for her tour and help. Meister also mentioned information she received regarding the State Library’s Summer Institute, which will be held at MSU June 19-22; she will plan to attend most of the Institute’s activities and give a tour of the new Library. Public comments included a recommendation for a six-function copy machine with an auto scanner; dissatisfaction with the inability to return videos through the book drop when the Library is closed; a request to open earlier than 10 a.m. one or two days a week; a request for a larger computer textbook section, especially on computer programming; a request for a wireless printer for laptop users; and a request for information on the City’s interim financing for the new Library. Also an unhappy patron expressed dissatisfaction with the way she was treated by a particular staff member. The individual was contacted, and the staff member was given an
opportunity to explain the situation.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
The Friends are still debating which coffee shop vendor will be selected for the new Library. They will be meeting for the fourth time to discuss the two proposals and hopefully decide who will be the vendor.
FOUNDATION REPORT
Lewis distributed a list of upcoming Foundation events and noted that the Children’s Celebration on Sunday, May 7 at the Emerson Center was a great success. She will plan to do it next year later in May at the new site and promote the Summer Reading Program. Recent donations include $40,000 due to new pledges. The Executive Committee will be meeting next week. The mantra is that the Foundation is “never done,” as the Board is anticipating ramping up community affinity for programming in the new building. Lewis conducted a Leadership Bozeman tour of the new building on May 3 with Martel Safety Director Frank Harriman. A Donor Wall Committee has been formed to design the donor appreciation recognition in the new building. They are planning to travel to the Livingston-Park
County Library to see the etched glass donor wall installed by a staircase. They will also consider plaques and other suitable formats for the 200 donors. The Foundation Board met May 10 and is willing to give a very large check to the City rather than apportioning it out $200,000 monthly.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Meister reported that the April circulation increased 6.15% over last year. Children’s and Young Adult programming attendance increased 15.05% from last year, and reference questions increased 3.29%. The Art Committee met May 11 and made its final selection for the art project for the children’s entryway. Out of 21 proposals, eight were selected for final consideration. Artist Jim Madden, with consulting help from Dan Harding of Instrinsik Architecture, was the Committee’s choice. There will be a possible RFP for a mobile to hang over the new circulation desk. The Art Committee plans to meet on May 22 at 4 p.m. in the Library meeting room to meet with Madden and Harding to discuss their project and also to preview the banners for the Library. The City is strongly
considering purchasing the present building; it was on the City Commission agenda this past Monday but has now been moved to the May 22 agenda. The City will need to pay the appraisal price of $2,500,000, which will be applied to the Library building fund, currently $3,200,000 in the hole. The Library Reconsideration Committee, which was established to review It’s a Girl Thing: How to Stay Healthy, Safe, and in Charge by Marvis Jukes, met May 16 and decided to retain the book in the juvenile non-fiction collection. The complainant might now choose to appeal this decision to the Trustees. There will be a Volunteer Brunch on Wednesday, June 7 at 9:00 a.m. at Valley View Country Club. Trustees, Friends and Foundation Board members, and all other Library volunteers are encouraged to attend in order to thank them for all of their time and help. Interior Designer Laura Fedro will be discussing her final selections for Library
furniture on Friday, June 9 from 8:15-10:00 a.m. in the Library meeting room. The furniture and stack packages are ready to go out for bid but first need approval by the Trustees. Bancroft received his Trustee of the Year Award in Missoula on May 5 during the Montana Library Association Conference. Meister was awarded with the Montana Business and Professional Women’s Woman of Achievement Award on April 29 in Great Falls. Lewis and Meister gave a presentation to the Big Sky Rotary Club on May 10. The Children’s Library staff is putting together the summer reading program schedule; the theme this year is “Paws Claws Scales and Tales!” Volunteer Chuck Knighton will be building a pet shop for this summer’s program. Mary Ann Childs started her Interlibrary Loan duties on May 9, and Jennifer Lemon will officially begin her 10 hours in Technical Services May 30. Catherine McMullen will be picking up
Lemon’s hours at the circulation desk when she returns from maternity leave on June 19. Shelver Lindsay Dick is resigning June 10, so her hours are currently being advertised.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: PROJECT COSTS; SALE OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING AND LAND AT NEW LIBRARY SITE
Some of the pending project costs involve decisions about the enhanced controls for the window blinds as presented by Bob Allum, requested revisions to the Montana Room island casework, sealer on the masonry at the lower levels to help in any future removals of graffiti, additional requested electrical outlets in the Children’s Library for computers, addition of rain chains, and the skateboard deterrent with the shooting star. As soon as James Goehrung has a decision on these items, the pertinent documents will be processed. The sale of the Library building is on the agenda for May 22; it will be an action item. The memorandum regarding the possibility of transferring a portion of the Library’s west side property and south side property to the City in exchange for the City’s waiving its
requirement for the Library to fund from its budget any balance of the new building loan and accrued interest is ready to move forward and has been put on the City Commission agenda. Mehl commented that it was better to do it sooner rather than later. Krauss is concerned about the amount of the final balance, which will be owed at the conclusion of the project. Kukulski suggested that it be phrased in broad terms and be given to the Commission as a non-action item. It was recently discovered that the Federal Highway appropriations will be reduced by another $500,000 due to the City’s contract giving preferential treatment to in-state contractors along with no mention of the Bacon-Davis wage. Since the wages paid workmen are higher than the Bacon-Davis wage, this becomes a moot point but the preferential clause is a problem. However, the money will still be spent, probably on the Peets Hill parking lot, which will please the Parks and
Recreation Department. Kukulski will take the memorandum off next week’s Commission agenda, and he, Krauss, Mehl, and Farmer will meet regarding the timing of the memorandum. Kukulski toured the Library earlier today and wondered if the larger meeting room would work for City Commission meetings in the future. He will continue to explore that possibility. At 5:50 p.m. Kukulski left the meeting. Meister asked that the Trustees approve the stack and furniture packages based on staff changes and recommendations. Action King moved the Trustees approve the library shelving stack and furniture packages so that they could go out for bid, Bancroft seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
BOARD MEMBERS AND CITY COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
There was nothing else.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. in the Director’s Office.
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