CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The regular meeting of the Rochester Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting was called to order by Dave Nelson.
Members present: Jerry Balm, Chris Colby, Dick Hall, Ed Haskell, Betty Hutchins, Tonya Holt, Naomi Lipsky, Steve McMaster, Dave Nelson and Steve McMaster
Staff present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director; Tom Dyer, Head of Communications; Kim Edson, Head of Reader's Services; Carrie Farrow, Head of Circulation Services; Louise Moe, Head of Reference Services; Rebecca Splittstoesser, Head of Technical Services; Beth Warfield, Head of Children's Services; Purna Gurung, Office Services Coordinator.
Others present: Al Dollerschell, Friends of RPL.
CONSENSUS AGENDA
The following agenda item was added under Director's Information Items: LSTA grant.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ed Haskell moved, Steve McMaster second to approve the meeting minutes from July 21st. Motion approved.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Ed Haskell moved, Steve McMaster second to approve the bills as submitted. Motion approved.
MONTHLY REPORT
The Library Board reviewed the July monthly report.
FOUNDATION REPORT
The Foundation has collected $15,750 to date in its personal solicitation campaign to businesses. They are waiting to hear from additional prospects. The annual fund drive letters have gone out. The Foundation is also gearing up for Wit, Wisdom and Wine.
SELCO REPORT
The American Business Directory access was licensed as of August 1st. SELCO has indicated that they plan to move on this in September. Dick Hall reported that SELCO has hired a consultant to analyze their fee structure.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance Committee: We are waiting for a final number from the City. It is too early to tell how the LGA cuts will directly affect the library's budget. We have not heard from the County regarding their fair share of RPL's proposed operating budget. The city is not freezing additional positions, so we will replace positions left vacant by staff who are retiring.
Planning Committee: None.
Policy Committee: None.
Personnel Committee: None.
Youth Advisory Board: None.
LSTA GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE
Betty Hutchins gave an update on her work with the LSTA grant review committee. She served on the first initial committee but was unable to serve on the final selection team due to scheduling conflicts. The committee reviewed all grants against a list of criteria. Betty excused herself from the SELCO/SELS and RPL grants review.
Audrey passed around the LSTA eligibility list and their 5 year plan. RPL's request for LSTA funds was approved. We will be partnering with Minneapolis and Owatonna Public Library to produce a Somali orientation video.
EARLY LITERACY
There has been a great deal of discussion in and out of the "library world" about the importance of early literacy. Good research has been completed, and early literacy has been shown to be a key success factor in children. Statewide statistics show that more than 50% of children are not ready to start kindergarten. The Rochester Area Foundation has been working toward "First Steps", an early literacy effort. We expect the Library to be a partner in this project.
The Public Library Association has developed a program called "Every Child Ready to Read" and we have purchased the training materials (www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaissues/earlylit/earlyliteracy.htm). We will be using these materials as a resource to set up workshops for parents and care providers.
STORYTIME KIT SURVEY
The Board reviewed the storytime kit survey, which will be included in each kit. We will also be pulling statistical data on the kits to determine usage. Naomi recommended adding a date and creating a grid that calculates the number of times the kit is used along with the number of kids using it to make it less confusing. Beth will ask her contacts at daycares for feedback on the grid before making changes. We will start with about 30 kits.
RETIREMENT
Rebecca Splittstoesser has announced her retirement as of December 2, 2004. We have begun the process of starting to fill the position with Human Resources. We will ask a representative from the Foundation and Friends to join the selection team for Tom Dyer's position.
OTHER NEWS
Rochester Public Library, along with other arts organizations, is on the Steering Committee of Artstober. The Mayor did a proclamation today for the event.
Audrey reported that she will be running against someone vs. unopposed for the post of MLA President post.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Tonya Holt
Secretary
The next regular meeting of the Library Board will be Wednesday, September 15, 2004, at 4:30 pm in Meeting Room B on the second floor of the library.