Minutes Library Board of Trustees 6 24 08~~
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Carne ie-Stout Public Libra
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Board of Trustees'
Meeting Minutes of dune 24, 2008
The Board of Trustees of the Carnegie-Stout Public Library (C-SPL) met in the
Library Board Room at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.
Present.• President Diann Guns, Secretary Kristen Smith; Trustee Paula
Connors; Trustee Beverly Kolz, and Trustee Elizabeth Leeper;
Library Director Susan Henricks; and Recorder Denette Kellogg.
Excused.• Trustee Michael Shubatt; Trustee Beverly Kolz; Trustee Becky
Hauder
1. Board President Guns called the meeting to order 4:04 p.m. and the agenda
was adopted.
"Moved to adopt the meeting agenda of Tuesday, June 24, 2008. "
Motion: Connors
Second.• Leeper
Vote: Aye - 4; Nay - 0
The Board welcomed Trustees Paula Connors and Elizabeth Leeper as newly
appointed Library Board members.
2. Approval of Library Board of Trustees' Minutes of Thursday May 22, 2008.
"Moved to approve the Board minutes of Thursday, May 22, 2008. "
Motion: Connors
Second.• Leeper
Vote: Aye - 4; Nay - 0
3. Board President's Report:
Communication with the Dubuque City Council. Guns reported on the
summary report of the Board to the City Council from the May 22,
2008 Board meeting.
"Moved to receive and fi/e the Communication with the
Dubuque City Counci/. "
Motion: Connors
Second.• Leeper
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Vote: Aye-4; Nay-0
4. Motion to Receive and File Informational Items:
A. Library Director's Report Summary and Update: Henricks provided
a written summary of the following items to the Library Board with
the additional comments:
Henricks reported that Mr. Joe Nassif, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
contacted her in regard to purchasing Grant Wood paintings. The
Board asked Henricks to respond that the paintings are not for sale.
1) Library Financial Report -Henricks reported that ninety-
two percent of the fiscal year has passed with ninety
percent of the budget expended. Revenue received
through May 2008 has exceeded projections at one
hundred-hundred seventeen percent received for FY-08.
2) Library Use Statistics -Henricks reported that the Summer
Reading Programs began Monday June 9 with a total
number of visitors to the library that day of 2,004. As of
June 18, 2,027 children and 240 teens had signed up for
the summer reading program.
Circulation of all library materials has increased three
percent in May and reference questions continued to grow;
up twelve percent. Both downloadable video and audio
show slow growth. Downloadable audio was introduced in
mid-February 2008 and has had 286 check-outs
representing 119 unique users. Advertising has been
aimed at this area to raise awareness of this service and
boost use. The downloadable audio collection is a
partnership with Sioux City. Their use is slightly higher
with 278 check-outs and 163 unique users.
Henricks reported that the outgoing main handicapped
accessible door opener has been broken for several
months. Repair had been deferred as the doors are
scheduled for replacement in the Library renovation that
has been delayed. After receiving a number of
requests from citizens to repair the door, a decision was
made to use Library operational funds to repair the doors.
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3) Renovation Planning Update - Henricks reported planning
for the logistics of where the Library collection can be
stored during the renovation. Henricks reported meeting
with McGraw Hill, experts in the field of warehousing and
shipping books. They have graciously offered to donate
space for the Library's books that will need to be stored.
Boxes for the moving and storage of the books will be
purchased at cost from McGraw Hill.
Henricks reported meeting with the City Finance Director
and a representative from the City's Insurance Company to
ensure that there is adequate coverage on the Library's
fine arts and valuable furniture during the renovation. This
includes the possibility of housing the items offsite if
needed. Also discussed was the cost of covering the move
of the Curtis collection, in the event it is transported to a
possible buyer. That expense is estimated at $500.00.
4) Library Staffing -Henricks reported that one hundred
sixty-two applications have been received for the position
of Library Custodian. Henricks, along with the
Maintenance Supervisor and the Administrative Assistant,
will be conducting interviews in the next few weeks.
Advertising has also been taking place for the position of
clerks. Clerks are entry level positions and work an
average of twelve hours per week. Turnover is typical
during this time of year as several student typically
graduate and resign as they plan to attend college out of
town. Clerks will be hired in both the Circulation and
Youth Services areas.
Henricks reported that recruitment for a Youth Services
Manager will be advertised through July 10, 2008. An ad
for this position has also been posted through the
American Library Association (ALA). Henricks is scheduled
to attend the American Library Association Conference in
Anaheim, California for a week and hopes to meet
prospective candidates while she is there.
5) Envision 2010 Discussion -Henricks invited questions in
regard to the a-mail information proposal for a contract
for library services from the County Library. Guns
reported reading the Planning Study report and asked
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what the difference was between a District Library and a
County Library. Henricks reported that a District Library
could include a number of small libraries in either
Dubuque County, or several counties. Economies of scale
-amain library versus a number of very small libraries vs
County Library -are realized in this type of system.
Henricks reported that the way the Iowa Code was
revised in an attempt to include District libraries does not
adequately cover the funding model. Henricks will work
with the County Library Director, the State Library, and
the Iowa League of Cities to craft new wording for Iowa
Code to cover District libraries with a goal of having it
brought to the legislature. Currently work has been done
to evaluate the feasibility of an agreement with the
County Library which would expand service on west side
of the County, result in increased services and materials
to County residents while raising revenue for the City of
Dubuque. The discussion can continue if the Board of the
County Library wishes to collaborate and explore this
option further.
Trustee Kolz arrived at 4:31 p.m.
B. Library Comment Cards -The Library Board reviewed a thank you card
received.
"Moved to receive and fi/e the informational update from the
Library Director on the Library Financial Report, Library Use
Statistics, Renovation P/arming Update, Library Sta>fing Update,
Envision Discussion and three Library Comment Cards "
Motion: Smith
Second.• Connors
Vote: Aye - 5; Nay - 0
5. Items for Action:
Library Renovation Project -Sale of Assets: Henricks provided a written
offer received for the Library's Curtis Collection in the amount of
$1,100,000 from James Maroney, Inc. on behalf of the Amon Carter
Museum, Fort Worth, Texas dated June 24, 2008. Guns reported on
meeting with Tim Conlon, Dubuque, Iowa and a discussion about the
Library owned Curtis collection and Grant Wood artworks. Several Board
members reported not being contacted by Conlon. Henricks reported on
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meeting with City Manager Mike Van Milligen who understood why offers
that mention the Grant Woods not be considered. He recommended
negotiations continue to include keeping the collection in Dubuque without
the Grant Wood paintings.
Henricks reported that per the Board's request, and in accordance with
the agreement, she has provided a sixty day notice for return of the
Library's Curtis Collection to the Library by the Dubuque Museum of Art
(DMA).
The Board discussed its long decision process in selling the Curtis
Collection and the balance of the funds needed for the renovation which
would have been raised from community members who had suggested
they would donate and to date have not. The Board expressed that if the
Curtis Collection is sold, that they have a duty to sell the collection at the
highest price possible for the Library. Kolz reported she is led by the
desire to the best thing for the greatest number of people. The Amon
Carter Museum is a nationally accredited museum that specializes in
photographs and fine art and has already committed to restoring the
collection and preserving it. The Curtis Collection has been basically in
storage, since the Library acquired it in 1909. The items currently on loan
to the DMA have also been in storage in the museum's vault since the
loan in 1999 with two exhibits. In the past few weeks, nine framed works
were hung.
The Board discussed the possibility of waiting until its July 2008 Board
meeting to provide time for the local community to prepare an offer or to
possibly receive a donation so that the collection would not be sold out of
town. Connors and Kolz expressed a concern that the Amon Carter
Museum may find another collection or withdraw its healthy bid if delayed.
The Board discussed the option of giving preference to a local bidder.
The Board agreed that it would not consider any bid that mentions the
Grant Woods. They cannot be part of any negotiation for the Curtis
Collection.
"Moved to agree to consider a// offers received prior
to the Ju/y 24, 2008 Board meeting for sa/e of the Curtis
Col%ction; and, to charge the Library Director to contact
the Amon Carter Museum to /et them know that the Board
wil/ review offers for sale of the Curtis Co/%ction at its Ju/y
24, 2008 meeting. "
Motion: Smith
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Second.• Leeper
Vote: Aye - 5; Nay - 0
Kolz reported on a book in regard to Edward Curtis that had recently
reached the best seller list.
6. Communications/Public Comment -Connors reported that there is training by
the Community Foundation for non-profit Boards. The Board agreed that
Connors investigate and report the information back to the Board.
Guns reported that Board member Michael Shubatt is running for a judicial
seat. The Board members wished Shubatt the best of luck in being appointed
by the Governor.
Discussion took place about being more specific when listing Board agenda
items.
7. Library Board Adjournment -The Board adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
"Motion to adjourn. "
Motion: Connors
Second.• Smith
Vote: Aye - 5; Nay - 0
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
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