Library Board Update 1 17 08C'cu°negie-Stout 1'z~blic Library
Library Board of Tritstee.c U~~date
from the .Meeting cif.
<Tanztary 1 %, 2008
Present: Alan Avery, President; Diann Guns, Vice President; Kristen Smith, Secretary; Becky Hauder,
Beverly Kolz, Sue Lindsay, and Michael Shubatt
• 50 percent of the fiscal year has passed with 51 percent of the budget expended and 52 percent of
projected revenues have been raised.
• The Library's FY09 Budget Presentation to the City Council is Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
• December was a slow month for library use which we attribute to poor weather conditions. Other
statistics point to this as well; for example Reference questions for the first time in a very long time,
were up 16 percent suggesting that people were calling for information rather than stopping into the
Library and directional questions were down. Directional questions are typically generated from in-
house visitors. Internet use was down as well, but those who did use the computers spent much longer
on them (an increase of 7 percent.)
• Quarterly statistics for electronic databases indicated a sharp decrease in use. We will begin
monitoring the use on a monthly basis as well as introduce new marketing efforts. The reason for such
a drop over one quarter is not known.
• Craig Nowak and Randy Gehl have completed taping a program for City Channel 8 which highlights
the Library's renovation. It will begin airing on January 24.
• Library Building Consultant Anders Dahlgren has completed his evaluation of West Side Library
service. The Library received a grant from the State Library of Iowa, as did the Asbury Library
Planning Committee, to review the west side of Dubuque and the greater Dubuque area to determine
what library service is needed, what it would look like if pursued, and the best location for service. He
will attend the next Library Board meeting to review his conclusions with the Library Board.
• Discussion was held regarding some comments opposing a gaming tournament in the Library. The
Board supports staffs' decision to have this program. Rationale for hosting this program is attached in
a separate document if you are interested in more information on the topic. The American Library
Association announced on January 15 that it had been awarded a $1 million grant, half of which is for
Adult Literacy and the other half in support of gaming in libraries. (A study released since this
meeting indicated that 67 percent of youth who participate in a gaming program at the Library use
other library services and materials.)
The Library reviewed and approved the following policies: Campaign Gift Policy, Confidentiality,
Unattended Children, Patron Behavior, Fines and Fees, and Circulation. There were few, if any,
changes in the first four. The major change in the Fines and Fees policy is an increase in the fine for
children's materials from ten cents to twenty cents. The fine for children's material has not increased in
at least 25 years. It is expected that this increase will more than compensate for fees associated with
fines paid by credit card which we will begin to accept in the near future. The Circulation policy sees
the introduction of a further tier in Library borrower types. Presently we have "new patrons" and
"regular patrons." A newly registered patron holds the borrower type "new patron" which limits his or
her to having out three items at a time. The patron moves to "regular" status after 90 days when the
account has been reviewed and demonstrates responsible use. A recent review of the effectiveness of
the "new patron" status reveals that those new cardholders who reside in a temporary address have a
much higher fine and loss rate. 44% of "new patrons" residing in a temporary residence have fines
totaling $2,432.75 or about $44.23 each. Comparing this group to all patrons in the databases, as of
December 31, 2007, 15% of all borrowers had fines of $10 or more. As of June 2007 the Library's
total outstanding fines averaged $1.50 per borrower. At this time there were 8,000 new borrowers total.
The updated policy introduces a category of "temporary resident" which will allow a library card to be
issued with a restriction of one item checked out at a time. Contact and residency information will be
confirmed in thirty days at which time the card holder may become a "new patron" or have the
"temporary resident" status extended.
• Discussion was held regarding the wish to proceed with the resolutions by City Council in order to
begin the renovation's bid process as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the favorable
bidding climate and reduce the risk of additional inflation. The Board agreed to continue with the
item on the City Council agenda unless there may be a significant change prior to the Councils'
January 22 meeting.
Librar~~ 13ourd of "!'rustees
Alan Avery, Board President Susan Henricks, Director
Diann Guns, Vice President
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Becky Hauder
Beverly Kolz
Sue Lindsay
Michael Shubatt