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Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Library Board/Staff Conference Room
Bozeman Public Library
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
4:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Ron Farmer, Chair; Al Kesselheim; Jacki McGuire; Jeff Rupp, City Commission; John Gallagher, Friends of the Library; Paula Beswick, Foundation; Lois Dissly and Terri Dood, Staff; and Alice Meister, Director.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:09 p.m. by Chair Farmer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
McGuire moved to approve the February 20, 2008 Library Board minutes, Kesselheim seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
CORRESPONDENCE
Meister received public comments which included one from a patron who did not like the Spanish button on the self-check machine, as he felt “This is an English speaking country.” Another patron complimented the Library for the help she received while doing research and said that it is “always pleasant to see your smiling faces.” Another recommended the Library present an altered book or an illuminated journal workshop; the Library plans a Bookology workshop for adults. A disabled individual can’t always come to the Library to renew items and wondered whether materials could be renewed via phone message; she was told that they could be renewed that way. A patron said he gets a headache trying to find books in the New Book section and requested some shelf labels, which
the Library is working on. Another noted the need for more room between the shelves in the New Book section. A patron complimented staff member Kari Grimm for her help and said she was able to complete her assignment due to Grimm’s assistance. Several patrons requested specific titles. A patron complimented Meister on “this lovely, delightful structure.” Another e-mailed, “You guys totally rock and I don’t see that changing!” The City’s Health Fair Committee thanked the Library for providing pizza for their meeting. Meister noted that the State Library is providing a Trustee College Consulting Team for May and September of this year as well as two free workshops for trustees at the Montana Library Association (MLA) conference. She also referred to a letter that the Gallatin County library directors sent to the County commending County Finance Director Ed Blackman and County Budget Coordinator
Linda Leening for their continued support and guidance. She also noted that due to having additional staff, the Library was able to track items returned after patrons have been notified by the City Attorney’s Office. From January 3 through March 13, the dollar value for returned items was $4,669.45, which included the $5 processing fee. Meister mentioned a State Library grant, which would involve matching funding for a professional position for two years. The Library would need to come up with $35,000; she mentioned the idea to City Manager Chris Kukulski who was receptive. Meister distributed an amended American Library Association Code of Ethics for inclusion in the Trustees’ Library Policy Manuals.
FOUNDATION REPORT
Beswick distributed a list of upcoming Foundation-sponsored events. She noted that there is a new Library logo to show to the Foundation Board members. She is still working with the Technology Committee on the web site redesign and reminded all Trustees to submit a picture and biography for the web site. The April 3 Health Fair will feature different workshops and table topics; the Chronicle will help with the advertising as the Foundation is able to buy an ad and get one free. Beswick continues to work with Cindy Christin on the Baby Brains program and the Children’s Festival of the Book. The artist reception for Logan Schelvan on March 7 attracted 50-60 people. As part of the Exploring the Arts series, the Celtic music program on March 17 brought in 214 people. Jerolyn Dirks’ Creative Workshop attracted 13 kids, and she will be presenting again in August. The Foundation placed a Library ad in the upcoming Chamber of Commerce map. There will be a donor appreciation lunch on
April 30 with Yellowstone photographer Tom Murphy as the speaker. The Foundation would like to add several questions to the public survey, which will be distributed in April. Beswick met with the Museum of the Rockies, and their recycled animals will be premiered at the Library. There will be two Exploring the Arts programs in April rather than just one, as a flute/violin duo will be in Bozeman during that time. Beswick will be writing a National Library Week op-ed piece for the Chronicle. She plans to attend a “Building Strong Communities” workshop on March 25 as well as a grant writing seminar April 21-24. She will be meeting with Chris Mehl about ensuring that the Library has a strong presence in the revised City’s 2020 plan. The Downtown Bozeman Partnership will have its annual breakfast at the Library on April 2. The Foundation has chosen a financial advisor and will be announcing their selection shortly.
The next Foundation Board meeting is March 27 at 8:30 a.m. in the Board/Staff Room.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Gallagher reported that the Friends book sale will be held in two weeks, as the Friends are now doing three per year. They will still do a preview sale for Friends members on Friday night, but Monday book sales have been eliminated. Instead bags of books for one dollar will be sold from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. Vicky York, who is a past president of the Friends and responsible for the Friends obtaining its 501(c)3 status, is the latest member of the board, which now completes the Board. The 2008 budget of $55,000 has been finalized, and the Friends Board is still figuring how to increase its budget to benefit the Library. Shirley Davidson and Mary Doyle will be responsible for the coffee shop/book sale area now. There is an ongoing discussion of sending children’s/young adult
books overseas. The next Friends Board meeting will be Monday, May 5.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Meister noted that the February statistical report showed a 14% increase in the circulation of materials as well as a 92% increase in the number of public meetings and nearly a 75% increase in attendance at those meetings. All statistics have increased, including a 13% increase in door traffic and a 23.55% increase in reference and information questions asked. She reported that at 70.83% of the fiscal year completed, the Library has 32.95% left to spend. Meister reported that the Library hosted 30-40 people for the Broad Valleys Federation of Libraries on March 6-8, which included some workshops for trustees. The Gallatin County library directors met with County Finance Director Ed Blackman and County Budget Coordinator Linda Leening on March 6 regarding the way county funds are divided amongst the five public
libraries (Bozeman receives 67%; Belgrade 15%, and Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone each receive 6% each). It was decided to leave the formula the same until the 2010 census. This fiscal year Bozeman Public Library will receive $417,930 from the County. Meister made a budget presentation to the City administration on March 6, and the response was a request for an intensive study to determine the staffing needed. The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget was approved at the March 17 City Commission meeting. Ten staff members will attend the MLA conference in Great Falls April 9-12. Due to some financial help from the Foundation, Meister will attend the Public Library Association meeting in Minneapolis March 26-30, and Lois Dissly and Pam Henley will attend the Computers in Library conference in Washington, DC April 6-9. Cindy Christin will attend the Collaborative Summer Reading Program workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas April
23-25. The Reference/Adult Services Department met on March 7. Mary Ann Childs shadowed a Lewis & Clark Library Interlibrary Loan staff member and picked up some useful information; that staff member will visit Bozeman Library for a similar experience. Katie Biehl will attend a workshop at the Belgrade Community Library in order to learn more about the State Library NRIS outreach services regarding geographical, water, and natural heritage information. Liz Babbitt has picked up Jane Basile’s Monday night hours (3.25 hours) and will also be selecting the music CDs. A student working on her degree spent several hours with the reference staff recently. Meister attended the Belgrade Library’s strategic planning session on February 29 though will miss the final one on March 28. Plans are underway for National Library Week events April 13-19. On March 20 there will be “The Colors of Us” reception to celebrate
diversity in our community. The Library will be closed on Easter Sunday. There is also the possibility of public art at the Library, which would benefit the Downtown Bozeman Partnership’s Art Walks.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
There were none.
BOARD MEMBER’S AND CITY REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT
Commissioner Rupp said that the CIP items had been approved, which included the Library’s request for RFID, a self-check system, and a LCD projector. He mentioned that several properties east of the Library were for sale and that the Burke Park properties were still being pursued by the City. Kesselheim said that the committee to study the properties around the Library has not met. GVLT is still interested in a sign indicating the start of the Main Street to Mountains trail system.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
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