ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA
April 20, 2005
4:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Rochester Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting was called to order by Steve McMaster.

Members present: Jerry Balm, Ed Haskell, Tyler Hoecker, Betty Hutchins, Steve McMaster, Dave Nelson, Tom Sherman and Debbie Westerland.

Staff present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director; Jean Jahn, Head of Automation Services; Kim Edson, Head of Reader's Services; Loiuse Moe, Head of Reference Services; James Rentz, Head of Technical Services; Andy Stehr, Head of Circulation Services; Beth Warfield, Head of Children's Services; Purna Gurung, Office Services Coordinator.

STRATEGIC UPDATE

Phil Wheeler from the Planning Department gave a presenation on the growth and demographics of Rochester. The Board thanked Phil for the excellent information and invited him to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Party right after the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Change the word "access" to "assess" under the Policy Committee report.

Ed Haskell moved, Dave Nelson second to approve the meeting minutes from March 16, 2005 as amended. Motion approved.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Ed Haskell moved, Dave Nelson second to approve the bills as submitted. Motion approved.

MONTHLY REPORT

The Library Board reviewed the March monthly report.

FOUNDATION REPORT

The Library Foundation Board brings forward the names of Jane Callahan, Harry Swedlund and Vance Swisher for approval for the Foundation Board.

Dave Nelson moved, Ed Haskell second to accept Jane Callahan's, Harry Swedlund's and Vance Swisher's appointments to the Library Foundation Board. Motion approved.

FRIENDS REPORT

None.

SELCO REPORT

Ginger Stemme has resigned from SELCO.

Audrey is concerned that SELCO has stated that delivery is a part of the automation fee justification. Dick has voiced those concerns at SELCO and they assure him that RPL will not be charged for delivery. However, you can see from the e-mail exchanged from Ann Hutton that it continues to be a concern.

The Board unanimously agreed that Audrey draft a letter to the SELCO Board on behalf of the Library Board requesting clarification about services.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Committee: None

Policy Committee: The Policy Committee has reviewed the Naming document put together by the Foundation Development Committee and recommends its approval to the Library Board. The Development Committee revised the document based on the Policy Committee's feedback. The document represents guidelines on naming opportunities for the meeting rooms in the Library. Ed Haskell asked if the Board would consider re-naming the auditorium if the Library received a substantial contribution.

The Board approved the Naming document with one opposing vote from Ed Haskell.

Planning Committee: None

Personnel Committee: None

Youth Advisory Board: None

ROCHESTER DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE

The plan continues to move forward. (To see a copy of the operations plan go to: http://www.raedi.com/OperatingPlanforRochester.pdf ). The board has approved the committee structure, and Audrey is the chair of the Avenue of the Arts committee. The "Avenue of Arts" would provide a central spine and identity for the Civic/Cultural District. Treatment options along the Avenue of the Arts the committee will consider include:

OTHER NEWS

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Purna K Gurung
Pro-term Secretary

The next regular meeting of the Library Board will be Wednesday, May 18, at 4:30 pm in Meeting Room B on the second floor of the library.