CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The regular meeting of the Rochester Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order by President Jerry Balm.
Members Present: Jerry Balm, Chris Colby, Farhan Hussein, Steve McMaster, Dave Nelson, Judith Taylor, and Deborah Westerland.
Staff Present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director; Kim Edson, Head of Readers Services; Carrie Farrow, Communications Manager; James Rentz; Head of Technical Services, Louise Moe; Head of Information Services; Andy Stehr; Circulation Services Manager; Purna K Gurung, Administrative Services Coordinator.
CONSENSUS AGENDA
Audrey reported that the Administrative Team (AT) is evaluating why the circulation of certain formats is not increasing at the rate it was before. A few of the reasons for the decrease can be attributed to the LAS unit, fewer video purchases, placement of books etc. She also noted that we were open 2 less days this year compared to last year.
Audrey stated that the downloadable media circulation is currently being counted under "in-house circulation" since we do not have way to break out the circulation between County and City. We are working with our vendor, Overdrive, to be able to break out the circulation.
The Merchandising Committee is looking at ways to better display library materials. Judith Taylor asked if the Library would follow the school system's suit and not offer pop in its vending machines. Audrey replied that we price bottled water cheaper than pop to discourage the consumption of the latter. Kim Edson noted that we also offer a selection of fruit juice in the machines.
Motion by Farhan Hussein, seconded by Deborah Westerland to approve the minutes from July 19, 2006, the monthly bills, and the monthly report. Motion carried.
PRESIDENT'S BUSINESS
FOUNDATION REPORT
The Foundation did not meet in July. There was an Events Committee meeting and they are planning a donor appreciation lunch for Thursday, September 21st. Home Federal Savings Bank/Eagle Crest Capital Bank is the sponsor for the lunch. The Honorable Sandy Keith is the featured speaker. He will speak about the Rochester Downtown Alliance and the importance of the library. Events Committee members are in the process of contacting speakers for Wit, Wisdom and Wine which will be held on January 13th. Carrie Farrow reported that the Development Committee met on 8/15 and discussed the opportunities for business sponsorship brochures. She added that two library tours are scheduled each month till the end of November.
FRIENDS REPORT
Carrie Farrow reported the Friends met this week and reviewed the Library's 2007 funding request which included programming, Summer Reading program, 3 online databases, Rochester Reads books, and a microfilm reader printer. The Friends have committed to funding as much of the request as they can.
Jerry Balm noted that he saw an article about a library program where kids read to dogs in a Colorado newspaper. Audrey replied that RPL has a similar program called "Sit-Stay-Read!" where children read to friendly therapy dogs. The program will resume in November.
SELCO
Dick Hall has gone off the SELCO Board. He chaired his last meeting in July. The Board asked that the Library recognize Dick's many years of service. Deborah Westerland was officially appointed as the County Representative to SELCO.
We received a letter from SELCO on Monday, August 7th, indicating that they will discontinue the American Business Directory (infoUSA) on August 11th. They are discontinuing the database for all SELCO/SELS members. They will be using their online resource dollars to purchase seven other databases and making them available to only the Online Libraries. We only received a 5 day notice but Louise Moe was able to talk to the vendor to license the database for RPL at a cost of $12,500. This also means that she will have fewer funds for other databases.
Judith Taylor asked if we were getting any benefit from our SELCO membership. Audrey replied that we get delivery. Jerry Balm asked if SELCO could exclude our patrons from using databases funded by the State. Audrey replied that Ann Hutton claimed part of the costs for the databases are paid with RLBBS funds and part from automation fees. Deborah Westerland mentioned that Barbara Misselt, the Assistant Director for SELCO, told her that all of the funds for these databases were from automation fees.
The board asked Debbie to work with Audrey to send a letter from the RPL and Olmsted County SELCO representatives to SELCO expressing their disappointment at the lack of communication and the lack of alternatives. The board added that copies of the letter be sent to the City and County Administrators and the State Librarian.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy: No report
Planning: See "Director's Informational Items: Building Study."
Personnel: City Council approved converting the .5FTE Librarian I position to 1FTE.
Finance: See "Old Business: 2007 Budget."
Young Adult: Kim Edson reported that there was very good attendance for the youth acting and directing workshops. The Library is organizing its first Youth Film Contest.
OLD BUSINESS
2007 BUDGET
Based on the approval of the .5 FTE Librarian I to 1.0 FTE Librarian, adjustments were made to the 2007 budget request. Audrey had promised the Library Board and the PAC that she would not just add the extra dollars for the position to our bottom line request. Cuts were made to merchandising (81390) and a microfilm reader (85300). The CIP request will go in later this month. We are waiting to get a quote from a 3rd vendor as the quotes from the other 2 vendors were very different in price. The total will include the cost of the system, installation, procurement, and a standard contingency allowance. The building maintenance CIP request will go in as presented last month.
We will have to make further cuts after we get a final number from the City.
STRATEGIC UPDATE
WEB SITE
Jean Jahn gave a presentation on the library's new web site. We needed to keep the layout simple so it works with any browser, computer, etc. Staff is currently working on redoing the web catalog. We conducted numerous usability studies before the start of the project and will do more before the site goes live. Chris Colby commented that more graphics and icons be added to the site to make it more interesting. He noted that this is the trend most sites are following. Steve McMaster asked if there was a way for patrons not to have to enter their library card number for each different task. Staff will look into it.
DIRECTOR'S INFORMATION ITEMS
BUILDING STUDY
Audrey received additional information from MS&R on the pricing of the renovations to the library. This information has gone to the Planning Committee and a meeting will be scheduled in the near future. Audrey is also working on further analysis of library operating costs in different environments (branch, 3rd floor, etc).
SOMALI OUTREACH
Abdulkadir Aden joined the Children's Division staff on July 27. He will work 13.5 hours per week in the Somali Outreach and Liaison position funded by the Foundation. He has met with Vicki to talk about programming and is scheduled to meet with Carrie Farrow to discuss Immigrant Council and to view the Somali film. Our divisional trainer is working with him on GroupWise mail and calendar procedures and also going through the staff orientation check-off list with him.
In future training, Aden will be learning about our collection and our desk procedures. In September he will attend the Somali Literacy and Language conference in St. Cloud. He is already reaching out to Somali families in the library by approaching them and telling them about our programs and the early literacy tips from Every Child Ready to Read.
When asked if we do outreach to other communities, Audrey replied that Laura Randolph, a staff in the Children's division proficient in Spanish, does some in the Spanish community.
COUNTY BOARD MEETING
Deborah Westerland, Ed Haskell and Audrey will be at the County Board meeting on August 29th to talk about the library. This is a general information discussion.
The Board asked if Steve Kvenvold or Dick Devlin had been on a library tour. Audrey will be giving Denny Hanson a library tour the next day. She added that she is working on better explaining the value of public libraries to our primary funders. Audrey, along with 2 other librarians, recently met with the Association of MN Counties.
QUESTION TIME
Judith Taylor said that she was interested in writing to the Post Bulletin about its editorial on strong mayors. She asked if the Board had any qualms about her intentions. The Board noted that it was her right as a private citizen to do so.
There being no other business, motion to adjourn was made by Chris Colby, seconded by Jerry Balm.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Westerland
Secretary
The next regular meeting of the Library Board will be Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 4.30 p.m. in Meeting Room B.