The regular meeting of the Rochester Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order by President Paul Barton. Also attending were Dick Hall, Ed Haskell, Betty Hutchins, Frank Iossi, Susan Lee, Naomi Lipsky, and Jeanne Parker
Absent with notification: Ann Larson
Staff present: Audrey Betcher, Acting Library Director; Kim Edson, Head of Extension; Louise Moe, Head of Information Services; Beth Warfield, Head of Children's Services; Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
Ed Haskell moved, Jeanne Parker second to approve the meeting minutes from September 13, 2000. Motion approved.
There were no unusual bills for the month.
Expenditures are slightly less than last year on year to date expenditures, however, we have previously approved an additional $30,000 expenditure for materials, and the organizational study consultant fee.
Revenues are below projections as has been the trend in the past several years.
We have instituted a once a month senior surf day due to demand.
Kathy Olson reported on the program: 65 tickets were turned in at the door (of these 35 were sold at the library and 30 sold by Foundation members); we have received money for 82 tickets ($1,632.00); according to what people indicated they sold, a total of 89 tickets were sold.
Audrey reported that as a result of the Baker & Taylor class action lawsuit, SELCO received $31,000 that will be appropriated to the member libraries, based on a formula of how much was spent by each library.
The committee met and has several recommendations for Board approval.
The Personnel Committee recommends that Audrey Betcher be appointed as Library Director, effective November 1. Motion approved.
Audrey reviewed the recommendation to trade in four part-time positions to create one authorized entry level benefitted position. Most of these part-time hours are currently vacant in the Adult Services area. If the Board approves this recommendation, it would go to the City Council for authorization.
There is currently an open Library Associate I position in Interlibrary Loan. That job has evolved into a primarily lower level position. If the City Council authorizes the four to one trade, we would fill the position as an entry level position in Interlibrary Loan. The vacant Library Associate I position would be moved to Adult Services with a heavy focus on programming, readers advisory, and desk duties.
The Personnel Committee recommends approval of the position changes as proposed. Motion approved.
The Board discussed a complaint from a patron about children being able to check out R-rated videos. Local video stores will put blocks on R-rated videos at the parents request. Currently we do not identify R-rated videos and juvenile patrons in such a way as to be able to have the circulation system stop the automatic checkout.
The matter was referred to Policy and Planning Committee for discussion.
Paul and Audrey met with Elisabeth Miller, a sophomore at Century High School who is interested in serving on the Library Board and Youth Advisory Board. She was recommended by staff working with Youth Advisory Board.
Naomi questioned whether everyone on Youth Advisory Board was aware of the opportunity to serve on the Library Board?
Frank Iossi moved, Ed Haskell second to appoint Elisabeth Miller as a student representative on the Library Board. Motion approved.
The Board also recommended informing all Youth Advisory Board members that another Library Board position exists and give everyone an opportunity to apply.
A meeting has been scheduled for October 26, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 104, City Hall. At that time the consultants will review the final draft report.
The Board reviewed the suggested agenda for the meeting. Paul recommend that ATs attend the presentation and opportunity for questions and answers.
Jeanne Parker moved, Frank Iossi second to approve the proposed agenda for the meeting.
Kim Edson received the President's Award in recognition for her work in the past year as Intellectual Freedom Chair. Part of her duties included helping librarians in the state understand intellectual freedom issues.
Audrey made a presentation to City Council on Monday on issues facing the library. Council members had very few questions.
The Intranet is now available for staff; while this is a work in progress, it allows staff to access many policies and procedures online, rather than using paper copies. Staff is working on a secure way to access this system from home. When this is completed, Board members will also be able to access the Intranet from home.
The concession contract on the public copiers contract is expiring at the end of October; we will be going out for new proposals.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Olson
Secretary Pro Tem
The next regular meeting of the Library will be Wednesday, November 15, 2000, at 4:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B on the second floor of the library.