Library Bd Update 5 27 04
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
May 27, 2004
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Durrant Group architects have reviewed the existing conceptual plans for the library's
proposed renovation project (prepared by OPN Architects) as part of the overall process.
This was done at no charge to the library; comments regarding their evaluation of work to
date will be mailed to each board member within a week..
Friends of the Library, in an attempt to increase membership, will hold a sneak preview
of their annual book sale just for Friends members on Friday, October 8, 2004. The
board decided that the library will stay open an additional hour to accommodate the sale.
Letters to existing members as well as new prospects will be mailed to invite them to this
event. The Friends have discussed holding a Rummage Sale or perhaps a Silent Auction
during this time in an effort to raise more money with the objective of providing
additional funds for the adult book budget. The budget was cut 16% in fiscal year 2004
and was not restored in fiscal year 2005.
A list was distributed for each board member that outlines the volunteer activities that are
being done now and the type of activities volunteers can provide if asked.
The library earned $1,500 in book credits as profits from the recent Scholastic booksale.
Each child who completes the summer reading program will now receive their own book
for their personal library as an incentive.
83% of the year had lapsed and the budget was 80% expended. $17,700 was received
from the county for service to rural communities without libraries.
The landscaping project began on May 26.
During a recent power outage the back-up lighting system failed to work. The current
system could not be repaired due to age; the parts are no longer available because they
are obsolete. Costs were obtained on the various systems available. It was determined
that a central online unit, installed on the third floor, would be best for the facility. The
cost is around $12,000. The City Manager approved using the savings from the roof
project CIP to fund the new system. It has been ordered.
The director met with Dr. Len Decker and preliminary work on the community survey
was begun. A draft of questions to be asked will be presented at the next board meeting.
Library Foundation President Janet Marxen announced she would not continue her
Foundation work after the end of their fiscal year which is September 2004. The board
appointed a sub-committee to meet with a sub-committee of the Foundation to work on
the future of the foundation and projects. Sub-committee members are Michael Shubatt,
Alan Avery, and Jack Felderman.
The document delivery report was discussed. 75% of all items not available to a patron
were delivered within 30 days of request. This figure is up significantly from 2002 and
2003 when the rate for 30 days was 34% and 46% respectively. This dramatic increase in
responsiveness and ability to fill requests much more quickly can be attributed to 3
things: Addition of "Books Express" which offers popular non-fiction titles on a first
come, fIrst served basis, changing the hold time to five days from I 0 (resulting in quicker
turn around of titles) and reducing the loan time to two weeks for items for popular
materials with long waiting lists, thus increasing turn over.
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"There's more and more competition for people's time," says Albert Greco, professor of
Media Management at Fodham University in New York, who cites surveys showing that
last year the average American spent more time on the Internet (about three hours a
week) than reading books (about two hours a week.) And he says the average American
adult spent more money last year on movies, videos, and DVDs ($166) than on books
($90)*
USA Today, March 11, 2004,frontpage.
* Circulation of library books YTD is down 5%, while video circulations are up 7%,
DVD circulation is up 376%, audio formats are up 6%, and Internet use increased 31 %
last fiscal year.
Library Board of Trustees
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Susan Henricks, Director
Tom Tully, Board President
Michael Shubatt, Board Vice-President
Mary L. Strom, Board Secretary
J.L. Felderman
Sue Lindsay
Kristen L. Smith
Alan Avery