CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The regular meeting of the Rochester Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting was called to order by President Richard Hall.
Members present: Steve McMaster, Naomi Lipsky, Betty Hutchins, Jeanne Parker, Elisabeth Miller, Dave Nelson, Chris Colby, Jerry Balm, Ed Haskell
Staff present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director; Tom Dyer, Communications Manager; Jean Jahn, Head of Automation; Carrie Farrow, Head of Circulation Division, Beth Warfield, Head of Children's Services, Louise Moe, Head of Reference Services; Rebecca Splittstoesser, Head of Technical Services; Kim Edson, Head of Readers Services; and Manual Thomas, Office Services Coordinator.
Others present: Al Dollerschell, Friends of the Library.
The following item was added to the agenda:
CONSENSUS AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
The Board recommended that Item VI(C) of the minutes be amended as follows:
Annual report: It was suggested that the relationship between the City Council and the Library Board should be indicated by a dotted line rather than a solid line on the organizational chart.
Chris Colby moved, Naomi Lipsky second to approve the meeting minutes from August 21, 2002 with the above correction. Motion approved.
Approval of Bills
Jeanne Parker moved, Ed Haskell second to approve payment of the September bills. Motion approved.
Approval of Monthly Report
Naomi Lipsky moved, Betty Hutchins second to approve the July monthly report as submitted. Motion approved.
PRESIDENT'S BUSINESS
Foundation report: The Foundation Board is meeting on September 25, 2002.
Chris Colby moved, Jerry Balm second to approve Trevor Westrom for the Foundation Board.
SELCO Report:
The Oversight committee met on the 10th and 11th of this month and narrowed down the four vendors to two pending reference checks. The Committee is meeting again on the 23rd to continue the process.
Dick and Audrey met with Ann and Allen. They agreed to have a board motion for the Rochester Public Library to get out of the contract with six months notice.
Committee Reports:
Planning Committee: Planning committee met today and reviewed the pictorial approach to the long range plan. It plans to hold a special board meeting in November to review the long range plan. Staff members will be invited to the process of finalizing the plan between now and November.
OLD BUSINESS
Bylaws/Committee responsibilities:
Board reviewed the draft of the bylaws and board committee responsibilities and suggested changes. It was also decided that the drafts should be sent to the city attorney for his comments.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Governance Workshop:Betty Hutchins and Naomi Lipsky attended this workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to outline a framework of principles and practice for non profit board governance; the role of a board; and the relationship between board members and executives.
Suggested reading: Reinventing your Board by John Carver.
DIRECTOR'S INFORMATION ITEMS:
Rochester Reads: The first meeting on the Rochester Reads program was held yesterday with potential partners. Several partners including the Adult and Family Literacy Council, the School district, Post Bulletin, Diversity Council, and Olmsted County Historical Society attended the meeting who all were very enthusiastic about the program.Library staff have short listed seven titles and partners will submit suggestions that will be further narrowed down to three by October. The criteria and procedures for final title selection are being worked out. The criteria for title selection will be shared with board members.
Minnesota Library Council: Audrey has been nominated to the Minnesota Library Council. The purpose of the council is to become the voice for Minnesota libraries to stakeholders outside the library and back to the library community.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Hutchins
Secretary
The next regular meeting of the Library Board will be Wednesday, October 16, 2002, at 4:30 pm in Meeting Room B on the second floor of the library.