Library Board Update 1 16 06
Camegie-StoU/ Puhlic Ubrwy
Librwy Board "fTrustees Update
From the iv/eeting of
January 26, 2006
. Library Board of Trustees policy was approved (copies available upon request)
. 50 percent of the fiscal year has lapsed; 44 percent of the budget has been expended
. Work has been authorized to begin in the first floor men's room which involves taking
out the urinal and replacing it with a toilet and adding a partition. It is believed this will
eliminate the odor in the rest room that we have tried to overcome, unsuccessfully, for
years.
. The Friends of the Library funded the program performed by Doreen's Jazz Band on
Sunday, January 22. Attendance to the show was 269. The Friends have also funded a
movie license which allows the Library to show current movies without copyright
violation and a popcorn machine. Attendance has been growing with the last movie
drawing 120 people.
. Approval to open the historic part of the Library after hours on March 24 for the
Foundation's First Edition Auction to benefit the Library was granted. Forty books will
be presented for live auction, and 40 for silent auction. Fran Henkels will be the
auctioneer. Hor d oeuvres and beverages will be donated; admission to the auction is
$10. Items for sale can be viewed from the Library's web site.
. The Board approved a request to close the Library on Wednesday, March 29 in order to
conduct a complete inventory.
. Opening of bids for HV AC maintenance contracts took place. Heating contract accepted
and awarded to TMI, Davenport, IA and cooling to McQuay, Kansas City.
. The Board will meet with Bruce Hamous and Bradd Brown of OPN Architects on
Monday, January 30 at 3 :00 to review the final conceptual design for the renovation
project. The presentation should include the estimated cost of completing the project.
When approved by the Board of Trustees, a meeting will be scheduled with the Mayor,
City Council and City Manager to present the design and discuss the next step for the
project.
. A review of activities completed by staff on Thursday mornings was discussed. The
area of greatest improvement that has a direct impact on library users is in the Adult area
of collection management. Added staff has made a positive difference in other areas.
The Director concurred with the Adult Services Manager's summary that a professional
librarian working 16-20 hours per week would be necessary to maintain collection
development that has taken place. The Director also noted that while other departments
have made measurable progress with their use of non-public service time on Thursdays,
that it could be maintained if Thursday morning hours were brought back. The Board
approved continuing the reduced hours until the staffing shortage in Adult Services was
resolved.
. The Community Planning Committee members met on January 14 from 10:00 - 3:00.
Community Planning members include: Michael Berg, Karla Braig, Brian Cooper,
Cammie Dean, Ed Everts, Diann Guns, Michelle Hellmer, Doug Henry, Sandy Hirstein,
Mary Anne Knefel, Gabby Nesler, Geri Shafer, and Tom Stovall. The Planning
Community identified the characteristics the city of Dubuque would have if it were
totally ideal. They then identified needs which would have to be addressed in order to
reach this ideal. Near the end ofthe day the Committee suggested areas for the library to
focus on (called service responses) to help meet these community needs. (Full summary
available upon request.) The Board discussed the seven preliminary recommendations.
The board will review each in depth and provide input at their January 30, 2006 special
meeting. The Community Planning Committee will meet for the last time on Saturday,
February II from 10:00 to 3:00. At this time they will reach consensus as to their final
recommendations for board review and approval. The outcome ofthe process will be a
community driven plan of service which will be implemented with no new costs, but
through a reallocation of resources made possible by focusing on excellence in a few
areas that best meet community needs and letting go of peripheral materials and services.
. The board discussed the upcoming budget presentation to the City Council. The Board
directed Hemicks to request clerk hours to cover the back log in Technical Services and
withdraw the request for a Library Assistant for Adult Services and request instead, a
Clerk. This position is crucial for staffing to meet service demands on weekends,
particularly on Sundays and the existing budget can no longer support the person
working this schedule now. The board also directed Henricks to request a part-time
professional librarian position which will enable the library to open on Thursday
mornings.
In March 2002, the KRC Research and Consulting conducted a survey for the American Library
Association. One thousand people over the age of 18 were interviewed by phone. The study has a
margin of error of plus or minus 3%. It found that:
. 91% of the total respondents believed libraries would exist in the future, despite all of the
information available on the Internet.
. 91 % believe libraries are changing and dynamic places with a variety of activities for the
whole family.
. 90% believe libraries are places of opportunity for education, self-help and ofTer free
access to all.
. 88% agreed libraries are unique because you have access to nearly everything on the Web
or in print, as well as personal service and assistance in finding it.
. 83% believe libraries and librarians play an essential role in our democracy and are
needed now more than ever.
Lihrary Board oj'li'uslees
Alan A very, Board President
Susan Henricks, Director
Sue Lindsay, Vice President
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Diann Guns
Beverly Kolz
Michael Shubatt