Minutes Library Update 11 18 04
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A Food and Beverage Policy was approved for the Coffee Cart. The project can now be
implemented.
The Board reviewed a summary of staff activities during the time the library is closed on
Thursday mornings (over the past 8 weeks). Activities completed included inventory of
smaller collections such as DVDs, Adult CD music, Juvenile CD-ROMs and Juvenile
Easy Readers. Staff training took place, withdrawal of old materials, system and
software upgrades, evaluation of collection, rearranging materials, and conducting
outreach programs to preschools in the community. These activities could not have been
accomplished during business hours because staff must work at the public service desks.
Work accomplished on Thursday mornings is estimated to equal that of2 FTE. A more
in-depth summary will be prepared after the new hours have been in effect for about six
months.
The Board approved the Art Sub-Committee appointments: Cynthia Byrne, Gail
Chavenelle, Ed Vandermillen, and Geri Shafer.
Board reviewed a request to repair the first piece of art acquired by the Library, the
porcelain urn The Wise Virgins which is displayed in the Board Room. Request is for the
repair of a broken handle and a case to protect and display the urn. Board asked for
quotes and will review at a future meeting.
Budget is on target with 37% of the year lapsed and 37% of the budget expended.
A current CIP project covers a structural study of the library building to take place this
fiscal year. This project should also include a vibration study due to the increase of
significant vibrations felt in the building likely caused by heavy truck travel on Bluff
Street. In the past ceilings in the Administrative Assistant's office, Director's office and
Rotunda area have fallen in. This study will also be able to identify any changes in the
structure since a basic study was performed about 4 years ago when the plans were fJrst
drawn for the Library's Renovation. The study should be completed in about a month.
DecisionlImprovement Packages were reviewed and approved for presentation to the City
Manager and City Council in the FY 2006 budget request.
Results of the Community Study were discussed and a work session was planned for
Monday, January 3 ftom 4 - 6 p.m. Next steps will be determined during the work
session.
The necessity for a policy for on-call staff (Technical Services) was discussed. A policy
or procedure may be needed as staff in Technical Services will begin using cell phones.
It was agreed that staff would be reimbursed overtime, or compensatory time if he/she
comes into the library to resolve an issue during off hours. We will wait to write
gnidelines to learn what the demand will actually be for on-call services.
The play Shoedog was presented on Saturday, November 6 at the Five Flags Theater with
estimated attendance of 500 people.
Library circulation is up a remarkable 17% over last year even though visits during this
time ftame are down 3%. DVD materials are realizing growth in circulation: 79%
increase in Adult DVDs ftom last year and 86% in Children's over last year.
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A Christmas reception will be held for staff, Friends of the Library, the Library
Foundation and regular volunteers prior to the next Board Meeting on Thursday,
December 16 at 3:00 p.m.
Facts About American Libraries
.:. Reference librarians in the nation's public and academic libraries answer more than seven
million questions weekly. Standing in single file, the line of questioners would stretch
ftom Boston to San Francisco.
.:. Americans go to school, public, and academic libraries more than twice as often as they
go to the movies.
.:. Americans spend more than three times as much on salty snacks as they do on public
libraries.
.:. Americans check out an average of more than six books a year. They spend, on average,
$25.25 a year for the public library --- much less than the average cost of one hardcover
book.
.:. Public libraries are the number one point of online access for people without Internet
connections at home, school, or work. 95% of libraries in the U.S. provide Internet
access.
.:. A 2002 poll conducted for the American Library Association in 2002 found that 91 % of
respondents expect libraries to be needed in the future, despite the increased availability
of information via the Internet.
Lihrurv Board of ¡¡'ustee,\
Michael Shubatt, Board President
Susan Henricks, Director
Alan Avery, Vice President
Mary L. Strom, Board Secretary
J.L. Felderman
Sue Lindsay
Kristen L. Smith
Tom Tully