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Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Library Board/Staff Conference Room
Bozeman Public Library
Wednesday, June 19, 2008
4:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Ron Farmer, Chair; Holly Brown; Al Kesselheim; Jacki McGuire; Paula Beswick, Foundation; John Gallagher, Friends of the Library; Lois Dissly and Terri Dood, Staff; and Alice Meister, Director. Guests: Sarah Glover, One Book-One Bozeman and Staff Attorney Tim Cooper.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Farmer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The May 21, 2008 Library Board minutes were approved as submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE
Meister received public comments which included one from a patron who noted that the “light issue is distracting and garish.” Another asked if the lights really have to blink all day long. A patron said that the lighting is too dim. Five patrons commented on the smell from the waterless urinals in the men’s restroom, and one threatened to report the Library to the state health department. Two people commented on the “redundant” traffic circle as one said he had been nearly hit by someone going the wrong way. Another suggested that the summer hours should be prominently displayed on the outside of the Library doors, not just the inside (which they are). An individual felt it was useless to only use the internet computers for one hour when vacant ones are
available. Another requested a higher quality paper cutter for public use. A patron suggested that the pickup date for materials be clarified on email notification, which has been done. Another wanted to say thanks for all the Library does for him and felt the “staff is both friendly & professional” and said to keep up the good work. A patron felt the “Bozeman Library is great, great set-up, great selection, good services.” The Tribal College Library Institute (TCLI) sent a thank you for the reception they attended. The Library received an invitation to the Little Big Horn College Library dedication held on June 11. The Sheila Cates Scholarship Committee sent a thank you for the basket the Library donated. Natrona County (Wyoming) Library Director Bill Nelson sent a thank you for the tour Meister gave him, and Meister had received an email thank you from three other Wyoming librarians she had toured.
John and CarolRae Gallagher sent a thank you for the books given them on the arrival of their daughter Terra. The State Library sent a reminder that Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement request forms are due by July 16. An individual complained about the sprinklers going while it is raining; Meister checked and it would cost $30,000-$40,000 to buy a weather station, which would detect moisture and stop the sprinklers. She notified the person, who suggested that soil-moisture devices for irrigation control be researched. Another individual wanted access to our Small Engine Repair database, and Head of Reference and Adult Services Terri Dood told him this was not possible due to our subscriber agreement but suggested he check with his local library (he lived in California), and he said he never thought of checking with his local library! Library Aide Sarah Morales is resigning her positions effective July 23 in order to take a school library job.
The Library has been receiving letters from the U.S. Department of Justice about a James and Carolyn Brubaker criminal case, where materials were stolen from various libraries. It appears the Library only lost one item.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
Gallagher reported that the Friends are planning a book sale July 18-20 in conjunction with Downtown’s Crazy Days sale. The small conference room will be used for collectible materials; to date 60 out of 300 collectible items have been researched due to the extensive time each one takes. The Friends’ budget is strong with plans to purchase several outdoor benches, finish the signage, and purchase dictionary and atlas stands to finish the furniture package. The goal is to increase memberships to 250; to date there are 210 members with membership renewals still coming in. The next meeting will be Monday, July 7 at 5:30 p.m.
FOUNDATION REPORT
Beswick distributed a list of upcoming Foundation-sponsored events. She said the new web site redesign should be completed by the end of June. Children’s illustrator/author Paul O. Zelensky will be featured at the Children’s Festival of the Book scheduled for August 23, to which Humanities Montana awarded $1,500. Beswick is currently working on the Heeb’s East Main Grocery fundraiser entitled “Benches for Booklovers” to be held on Friday, June 27. Lunch will be served, and all proceeds will be used to purchase benches for the Library grounds. To date five benches have been purchased. She is also working on the One Book-One Bozeman project to be discussed in more detail later. The Foundation recently purchased a two-year movie license permit
allowing the Library to show most major motion pictures. The Merrill Lynch investment has been established. A bookkeeper will be hired as the current Foundation treasurer will be moving to Arizona. Beswick is also working with Greg Young about the One Book program but also to potentially highlight young musicians through Yellowstone Public Radio and library programming. Three more recycled animals from the Museum of the Rockies will be displayed at the Library. Jazz programs continue at the Library on Monday nights through July 14. The Foundation is working with some authors about book premieres. On July 16 Beswick is planning a lunch for the local development directors and community fundraisers. The next Foundation Board meeting will be Wednesday, July 16 to discuss the mid-year review of the budget, grants and review of programs.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: ONE BOOK-ONE BOZEMAN
Meister introduced Sarah Glover, who originally proposed the concept of One Book-One Bozeman so that the community could read and discuss Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Pulitzer Prize winning author Tracy Kidder. Glover explained the precedent of One Book programs through the American Library Association (ALA) and the Library of Congress and also the fact she participated in one in Houston. She hopes this will become an annual event. She felt this book was a good match to Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea, which had been so well-received in Bozeman. She spoke to a library in Massachusetts which had read this same book, and the library donated copies for this program. She also distributed a sheet of events
beginning with a Partners in Health (PIH) exhibit of photographs starting September 2. There will be six weeks of activities overall. The Library Foundation and Hopa Mountain are co-sponsors and wrote supporting letters enabling Glover to secure $3,810 from Humanities Montana though she is still seeking $3,000 more. Hopa Mountain will be working on developing citizen leaders, and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle will do a series about local people moving mountains. The Children’s Museum will do some children’s programming. The Library will be the main venue for the events however. Border’s has been an enthusiastic partner as well with 20% of book sales benefitting the program. The book has been used in the MSU Honors Seminar, and Glover is hoping to get youth involved. She left the meeting to attend a YouthFest at Bogert Park after Chair Farmer thanked her for attending the meeting.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Meister noted that the May statistical report showed a 10.79% increase in the circulation of materials as well as a 53.74% increase in the number of public meetings and a 41.37% increase in attendance at those meetings. All statistics have increased, including a 11% increase in door traffic and a 10.45% increase in reference and information questions asked. Children’s/YA programs have increased by 26%, and attendance at these programs is up 18.3%. She reported that at 95.83% of the fiscal year completed, the Library has 7.63% left to spend. Meister reported that the Library held a reception for the ALA President Loriene Roy who was in town for the Tribal College Library Institute. Nearly 80 people were in attendance enjoying free hors d’oeuvres from Montana Ale Works and drinks courtesy
of the Foundation. The Reference and Adult Services Department is currently doing an inventory of the musical CD collection. There is a Flying D Display in the Montana Room case for the next three months. Due to a recent flurry of Russian visitors, computer directions have been translated into Russian. The Children’s Department has given out 600 reading logs in the first two weeks of “Catch the Reading Bug” Summer Reading Program, more than any given at this time in previous summers. Volunteer Chuck Knighton build a large caterpillar area for the children to explore. Wesley Fleming has put his glass insects in the Library’s glass display case. Registration will begin July 1 for kids to sign up for the 18 Creative Workshops to be held in August with participation limited to two workshops at the most. Pam Henley and Dissly have started staff on a self-directed series of Web 2.0 classes to be completed by the end
of the summer. Henley was elected as the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) representative by the Montana Library Association members. Nancy Hatfield will be doing directed field work under Dissly for approximately ten weeks as part of her University of Washington MLIS program. Meister toured four Wyoming librarians on June 5-6 through the Library, and one later said that our Library was the best when compared with several others she had seen while visiting the Northwest. Department Heads are working on completing their performance evaluations by July 10. Mary Jo Stanislao, Dood, Dissly, and Meister met with a company representative to discuss RFID implementation for the following fiscal year. Meister will be attending the Gallatin County Long Range Planning Committee meeting on June 24 in Big Sky; the new Three Forks Community Library Director Debbi Kramer will be attending. That same evening Meister will staff a Library booth at
the Farmer’s Market. Incidents included a homeless woman who was cursing and then threw the hole punch which nearly hit a patron. She was asked to leave, which she did. Another incident involved five Kazakhstan students abusing the catalog computers who were asked to stop; one swore at a staff member. Also a patron barred from the Library returned earlier than he should have; the police were called who removed him from the building. He has now been banned from the Library for one year. The last incident involved a child who became stuck in the elevator; the elevator technician responded within ten minutes and freed the child.
ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION: GUIDING PRINCIPLES;Action EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
After reviewing the Emergency Response Plan, Kesselheim moved to approve it, Brown seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. The Board then discussed the Statement of Guiding Principles for the Library Property and Adjacent Lands formulated by Kesselheim. The Trustees felt it was important to retain flexibility since it would be difficult to quantify land needed for expansion. Action Brown moved to approve the Statement of Guiding Principles, McGuire seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. Beswick said she had been working with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board on helping them start a foundation and has established a relationship with that group. Chair Farmer then commended Al Kesselheim for his nearly thirteen years as a Trustee as he has been term limited due to serving two five year terms,
so this is his last Board meeting. He had also served on the Friends Board prior to his Trustee terms and worked on the county campaign for increasing the Library millage in 1996. As a Trustee, he worked on the campaign for the bond referendum in 2001. Everyone at the table spoke about Kesselheim’s dedication, vision, thoughtfulness, and his excellent writing and speaking abilities in support of the Library. Cooper stepped into the meeting and also thanked Kesselheim for his work as a Trustee. Meister mentioned that Judy Mathre has applied for this recently vacated position on the Library Board.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chair Farmer stated that he was closing the meeting to conduct the annual performance appraisal of the Library Director pursuant to Section 2-3-203(3), Montana Code Annotated. The open meeting was closed at 5:24 p.m.
Chair Farmer reconvened the open meeting at 5:32 p.m.
BOARD MEMBER’S AND CITY REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORTS
There were none.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
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