Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Library Board/Staff Conference Room
Bozeman Public Library
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
4:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE Trustees: Ron Farmer, Chair; Judy Mathre; Paula Beswick,
Foundation; 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 4:04 p.m. by Chair Farmer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The July 16, 2008 Library Board minutes were unable to be
approved due to a lack of a quorum.
CORRESPONDENCE
Meister received public comments which included one from a patron
who felt that having a drum circle program is ridiculous due to the
noise. Another noted that no cold water was available in the men’s
restroom. A patron felt the instructions for placing a hold on an item
in the card catalog were too confusing. An individual requested that
human rights violation information be added to the Chinese
Olympics display. Another requested that the Library renew
Barron’s weekly publication. An individual felt that arrows were
needed to direct people around the traffic circle (there are already
arrows there to do that). A patron noted that bicycles should not be
parked on the sidewalk railing since it is there to assist the
handicapped patrons, and signs to that effect have been added.
Another suggested painting the curb red in front of the west entrance
to keep cars from parking at that curb area, as this person was nearly
hit. Meister received notification and congratulations from the State
Library about meeting the state’s 2008 public library standards and
that the per capita/per square mile state aid check was in the mail.
Also the Library was thanked for assisting PBS with a television spot
about voting. A parent wrote a letter about a legal notice his child
had received which upset him; Staff Attorney Susan Wordal
responded noting that there was no way of knowing this was a child
due to confidentiality and the intent was to recover the overdue
material.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
Meister reported that the Friends met August 11 and decided to grant
money for a LCD projector for the small downstairs meeting room.
Assuming the City gives money for the LCD projector for the
computer lab, the Friends will try to negotiate a good deal based on
purchasing both projectors at the same time. Dood also mentioned
their gift of $5,000 for audio-video materials to enhance the
Library’s collection. An atlas stand and a dictionary stand are
currently on order thanks to a contribution from the Friends. There
might be a Board position open shortly. Plans are underway for the
November 14-16 used book sale. Effective board training will be
offered to the Board in the near future. There is discussion about a
new logo and an intent to meet with Wild Joe’s Coffee Shop
clarifying some concerns such as trash removal. The Friends are
also completing a $1,000 travel grant form so that staff can apply for
financial help when attending continuing education meetings. The
next Friends meeting will be Monday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Meister noted that the July statistical report showed a 5.54% increase
in the circulation of materials as well as a 53.55% increase in
attendance at public meetings, 100% increase in children’s and YA
programs, and a 59% increase in attendance at these programs. Adult
programming increased 67%, while attendance at these programs
increased 347%. She reported that at 100% of the fiscal year
completed, the Library was .16% in the red though there are more
payments to be made to the City. There was no current fiscal
information available as the FY2009 budget has not yet been
approved. The Library has been fortunate to hire two new employees
to fill existing positions: Amy Benjamin started work on August 19
as the new Library Aide I/Library Aide II (35 hours per week), and
Beth Downs will be substituting as a Library Assistant at the
reference desk. Meister attended the memorial service for former
City Commissioner Joe Frost on August 19; the Library will place a
book in his honor in the collection. Also Vicky York is
spearheading a project to secure money for a bench in M olly Pratt’s
honor; donations may be made to the Foundation. The City budget
was scheduled for review on August 25 at the City Commission
meeting, but City Manager Kukulski said that the budget review will
probably be moved to September 2. The City is attempting to get
reliable numbers from the Department of Revenue, which can be
used for the budget discussion. Also Kukulski noted that there is not
a hiring freeze at present but each vacant position will require due
consideration. The new Library Assistant position will be decided at
the budget review. August 25 is the last Kelly Roberti jazz series,
which has been well-received by the public and free to the Library.
The Library presented a Will Rogers program August 18 given by
Dr. Doug Watson, which 32 people attended. Tonight Tom Robison
@ the Dancing Bears will present fiddle music at 7 p.m. A new
colorful fused glass art piece in memory of Joan Bowman has been
placed in the children’s library. Glass artist Richard Parrish worked
with Whittier School students (where Bowman was a librarian) and
Bowman’s grandchildren to complete the piece. The Library will be
participating in MSU’s Catapalooza event August 26 and 27 in order
to encourage new MSU students to get library cards and visit the
public library. Meister was asked by Humanities Montana to
represent Montana at the annual National Book Festival in
Washington, DC on September 27, where she will be distributing
information at the Pavilion of the States tent that day, including
information on the OBOB event which begins September 5 with a
reception in honor of the photographic display. The first round of
weeding the library collection has taken place. The Library is now
subscribing to H.W. Wilson’s Core Collection database; Dood
explained that it offers suggested core collections in five areas:
graphic novels, adult non-fiction, senior high school, middle school,
and elementary school. Headwaters Library Association, which
includes many of the Library’s staff, has been helping with the Chief
Joseph Middle School Library move this week. State Library
continuing education coordinators from across the United States will
meet in Bozeman August 25-27 and will tour the Library on August
27. An incident involved a volunteer who had a medical emergency
and had to be transported to the hospital on August 15; she was
cleared by hospital staff and allowed to go home. Meister mentioned
an incident where an individual called and identified a library patron
as a sexual offender; police were notified and said this person is not
a current offender and has no outstanding warrant.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: LONG-RANGE PLANNING
Due to a lack of quorum, this item will be discussed at the
September meeting.
BOARD MEMBER’S AND CITY REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORTS
Kukulski reported that there will be a Thursday, September 4
meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the present City Hall Commission
Room to discuss the Trustees’ principles regarding Library land that
were approved on June 19. The property on East Main Street next to
Lindley Park did sell. Kukulski has appointed Bob Planalp as
Interim City Attorney for an indefinite period of time. Currently
there are five attorneys on staff. On August 27 there will be a
reception at the Library to meet and greet the three finalists for the
Assistant City Manager position. The move to the new City Hall/old
Library will start September 15. There will be a tour of the facility
coordinated by James Goehrung if anyone is interested in seeing it.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m. The next regular meeting
will be Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
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