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Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Library Board/Staff Conference Room
Bozeman Public Library
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
4:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Ron Farmer, Chair; Holly Brown; Jacki McGuire; Judy Mathre; Paula Beswick, Foundation; John Gallagher, Friends of the Library; Lois Dissly and Terri Dood, Staff; and Alice Meister, Director. Guest: City Manager Chris Kukulski.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. by Chair Farmer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The June 19, 2008 Library Board minutes were approved as submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE
Meister received public comments which included one from a patron who asked for quiet as it’s a library. Another loves the Library but recommends silencing the noise from the self-check machines. The sound has been lowered, but it still needs to be loud enough to be heard at the public desks so that staff is aware that materials are being checked out correctly. Someone requested the purchase of a specific DVD. Another asked why there were so few children’s books to purchase at the coffee shop, and this is generally due to the lack of children’s book donations. A patron requested more new large print books, another requested more books on tape/CD plus better language programs, and a different patron loves the Library but wanted the Library to purchase some specific materials. An individual noted that the bird sculpture in front of the entrance on Main Street was stupid and said, “What were you thinking? Makes entrance to library seem tacky.” Another noted that the boulevard
trees were dying and sod on front lawn needed watering, which has been done. A patron requested the Library have the food for fines program more often in order to benefit the Food Bank. Someone suggested that “It would be nice if children were kept in the children’s room. Librarians ought to enforce this. Mothers should not be encouraged to bring their babies into quiet areas. It is great that this is a child friendly library, but, as such, it is less than adult friendly.” Another requested more books on Yellowstone National Park and the anatomy of grizzly bears. A visitor from Mexico left a comment in Spanish which no one could fully translate. The State Library thanked the Library for its support of the Gates Foundation’s Spanish Language Outreach (SLO) Project and will be granting $785 for library services to the Spanish speaking population in the Bozeman area. Mathre had sent a letter to the editor of
the Chronicle about the elimination of the library column in the “This Week” entertainment section. A thank you was received from a Special Delivery volunteer as well as from the Montana Center for International Visitors and the United States Department of State for hosting international librarians from Albania, Burma, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Uganda. Chair Farmer signed and submitted the FY2009 Library Contract for county support, the Public Library Standards 2008 Certification Form, and the Broad Valleys Plan of Service and Budget Request for FY2009; Meister signed and submitted the Interlibrary Loan reimbursement request which goes to the State Library.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
Gallagher reported that the Friends are planning a book sale this weekend (July 18-20) in conjunction with Downtown’s Crazy Days sale; the small conference room being used for collectible materials. There might be a Board position open shortly. The Friends have purchased the new tables and chairs for the Atrium Gallery. There will be effective board training information brought to the next Friends meeting, which will be Monday, August 11 at 5:30 p.m..
FOUNDATION REPORT
Beswick distributed a list of upcoming Foundation-sponsored events. Children’s illustrator/author Paul O. Zelinsky will be featured at the Children’s Festival of the Book scheduled for August 23, to which Humanities Montana awarded $1,500. One Book-One Bozeman (OBOB) also received a Humanities Montana grant; the program series will occur during September and October. There will be an OBOB photo exhibit and reception on September 5 at the Library, and the program will also feature Dr. Michael Iseman, a world authority on tuberculosis, on October 9 at MSU. Due to a successful Heeb’s “Benches for Booklovers” fundraiser and ensuing newspaper publicity, two benches were purchased along with one donated by a community member. The Friends have also purchased two benches.
The Museum of the Rockies will again display three more recycled animals at the Library. Beswick is also working on an Artist in Residence program featuring Jerolyn Dirks this fall/winter. She has met with some potential Foundation Board members. The next Foundation Board meeting will be September 25 from 8:30-10 a.m.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Meister noted that the year-end June statistical report showed a 9.88% increase in the circulation of materials as well as a 48.59% increase in the number of public meetings and a 37.32% increase in attendance at those meetings. All statistics have increased, including a 10.22% increase in door traffic and a 9.47% increase in reference and information questions asked. Children’s/YA programs have increased by 29.23%, and attendance at these programs is up 19.8%. Adult program attendance increased 18.57%, and the number of programs was up by 21.74%. She reported that at 100% of the fiscal year completed, the Library had .86% left to spend though more bills for this fiscal year need paying. Meister welcomed Judy Mathre to her first term and first Board meeting. Mathre has a long history in local
government and community involvement, including a term as Bozeman Mayor. The Miles City Caledonian Society offered a free public performance on July 3. Nearly 150 people attended to hear traditional Scottish music, including bagpipe music and fiddling by a Scottish visitor. Due to Sarah Morales’ resignation, the Library Aide I (15 hours/week) and the Library Aide II (20 hours/week) positions are currently open and will close on July 20. Morales’ last day will be July 23. Library Assistant substitute positions in Reference are currently open as well. The Library’s HRDC employee Katie Ramstead is now working 15 hours a week in both Circulation and Technical Services. Due to funding considerations, she was off the month of June, and her hours will be cut to 10 hours/week beginning September 1. Also employed through HRDC, Kelly Nichols is currently working 10 hours/week. Nichols was recently on the cover of the
Chronicle as she will represent Montana and the United States in the Special Olympics World Games. Catherine McMullen recently completed her MLIS degree. The Kelly Roberti Jazz Music Series continues to draw large numbers on Monday nights. This past Monday 85 people attended the presentation. Sponsored by the Foundation, the Family Music Series will host its second program tonight featuring Tad Drake at 7 p.m. This Friday at 11 a.m. “The Dragon and Doodle Bug” puppet show takes place at 11 a.m. Afternoon movies for kids ages 5 and up started July 2 and will continue on consecutive Wednesdays. Sign-ups for the August Creative Workshops are going well, as several are already filled with waiting lists. Children’s librarian Ginger Norton did a good job of planning the workshops and will be here for the majority of them. Gallatin Art Crossing under the leadership of Tate Chamberlin held a reception for the
recently placed public sculptures and their sculptors on July 12. Five sculptures are at the Library, one at Soroptimist Park, and one will eventually be placed at the new City Hall. The new atlas and dictionary stands have been ordered thanks to the Friends. The Sweet Pea Art Reception will be held on July 31 from 6-9 p.m. The north bridge will be closed for the Sweet Pea Festival while the south one will be open. Meister reminded the Trustees to read Mountains Beyond Mountains in preparation for the fall activities. There was an incident where a dog bit a child; the dog’s owner refused to give her name and ran from the outside of the building. The police were called. Animal Control Officer Connie Lien reminded staff that any animal left unattended (even if tied) is considered to be unrestrained. Lien can impound such animals on complaint, so police should be called and a description of the animal and owner given. There are signs about unattended dogs on both front doors.
ISSUES FOR
DISCUSSION: ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS; APPROVAL OF
LIBRARY HOLIDAYS
Action After brief discussion, Mathre nominated Farmer as Chair, Brown seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. Action Brown nominated McGuire as Vice Chair, Mathre seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. Meister distributed the Library holiday calendar; Mathre moved to approve the calendar of Library holidays, McGuire seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. The Trustees then discussed a request from Parks and Recreation Director Ron Dingman regarding assistance in purchasing property west of Lindley Park, which is currently for sale. Brown was supportive and questioned whether it abuts the Library property, which it does not. Kukulski tried to negotiate a deal with the owner regarding write-offs, but that did not work. The City needs an
appraisal before it can purchase property. If the owner does not receive many bids, he might be willing to negotiate. Beswick indicated that the Foundation Board was interested in long-range planning regarding land, which will be discussed further this fall. Kukulski said that more cash-in-lieu money will be available to the Parks and Recreation Department in time, but that probably will not help with the current situation.
BOARD MEMBER’S AND CITY REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORTS
Kukulski commented about the FY2009 budget discussion this past Monday at the City Commission meeting, where there was a 4.5 FTE reduction in the Planning and Building Departments due to a general economic slowdown in Bozeman. The proposed Library Assistant position along with a non-sworn police position might possibly be cut though the third position in the Legal Department has already been filled. Commissioner Krauss wants the Library to purchase fewer audio-video items and more books with the library materials budget. The Controlled Allocation of Liability Act (CALA) process is ongoing as the City is still needing reimbursement from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The City is supposed
to receive its DEQ reimbursement by December 20, 2008 after Wallace Avenue is cleaned up. The superfund site issue from years past is still a concern for the City. A drilling test found contamination on the Story Distributing Company site, and Empire might want to clean up under its buildings. DEQ did grant a hardship determination with payments not having to come out of the City’s budget. There is asbestos in the alley behind Heeb’s, which could be capped if there are no utilities involved. The City also has hiring concerns about filling current vacancies. Kukulski said the City will be getting a Voice of the People Award since the Library had such a large percentage improvement since the last National Citizen Survey two years ago.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:24 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
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