Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2004
Board Members Present: Mary Burchill, Jill Fincher, Terry Leibold, John Nalbandian, Craig Penzler, Jeff Shmalberg
Board Members Not Present: none
Staff Present: Carole Dibben, Bruce Flanders, Louise Hanson, Tricia Karlin
Guests Present: Ron Schorr (Friends of the Library Board of Directors)
Craig called the meeting to order at 4:37pm.
There were no public comments.
The minutes of the February 16, 2004 Library Board meeting were reviewed. Terry moved to approve the minutes. Mary seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
There were no questions or comments relating to the February staff meeting minutes.
Financial and Statistical Report: Bruce reviewed the financial and statistical report. He directed the Board’s attention to the Capital Improvements budget, which was not substantial to begin with, and which was greatly reduced by the project to install new lighting at the south entrance to the Library. There was a discussion about the library’s statistics. John asked Bruce to create a five-year chart showing circulation increases and other library usage indicators. It was noted that library programming numbers are down; Bruce indicated that they may remain depressed compared to last year, as the Community Relations Coordinator will be taking on additional duties relating to marketing and public relations this year, particularly in support of the New Direction Task Force efforts.
Kansas State Legislative Action: Bruce shared copies of a draft letter to Senator Mark Buhler, regarding proposed legislation to mandate Internet filtering and to allow a local city commission in Shawnee County to opt their community out of a taxing library district. Both of these issues present concerns for libraries throughout the state.
New Direction Task Force Activities: Bruce described the recent activities of the New Direction Task Force, focusing on the upcoming public meeting, the activities of the various committees, and the two-day design summit. He noted that Commissioner Schauner encouraged the Library Board to present a request for funding in 2005 to engage the services of a library building consultant and/or an architectural consultant.
The April 12 public meeting will present a great opportunity to announce our study project to the community, and to generate interest. It was noted that it would be appropriate to have an article and announcement in the Lawrence Journal-World prior to the April 12 New Direction public meeting. John encouraged us to use email addresses from the library cardholder database to invite approximately 100 patrons to attend the meeting. Craig suggested we try to get on the Saturday morning KLWN show prior to April 12.
The current study process, which will conclude in May, is meant to be an intensive, quick look at our options, and to generate energy and momentum for a larger, more comprehensive study.
Various options for additional sales tax revenue and raising the library’s mill levy were discussed.
One selling point of a project in collaboration with one or more other community agencies is that the resulting facility would provide the community with multiple benefits. Such collaborations should be seriously considered.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: The decision in February 2004 to close the library each year on MLK Day and to designate this day as a paid holiday was revisited. Several on the Library Board felt that this is a high-traffic day for service, and that the library should remain open. Perhaps scheduled events celebrating the day could be developed in collaboration with other local organizations. Bruce noted that the floating comp day for this holiday and President’s Day remain problematic. He will suggest options for making those comp days more flexible. Jill moved that the Library Board rescind its decision to close the library on MLK Day, and that Bruce be authorized to present further options for handling floating comp days at a future Library Board meeting. Mary seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
Session/Print Management System: Bruce presented information about the staff’s recommendation that a session/print management system be installed on all public access computers in the Library, and requested Board approval to acquire such a system, with a cost not to exceed $35,000. John asked for further information regarding comments from libraries that use such systems: were their expectations for improved service fulfilled, and were any new problems created?
Mary moved to approve the bills in the amount of $53,138.93. Jill seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 6:07pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Flanders
Approved _______________________________________________
Date
Secretary _______________________________________________
Jill Fincher
Chair __________________________________________________
Craig Penzler
Director ________________________________________________
Bruce Flanders
Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, April 19, 2004
at 4:30 p.m.
in the Library Board Room
A - Call to order
B - Public comments
C - Minutes of the March board meeting
D - Minutes of the March staff meeting
E - Librarian’s report
1 – financial/statistical report
2 - library programs, events, exhibits and displays
3 – National Library Week events
4 -
F - Ongoing business
1 – New Direction activities
2 – Library Board composition
3 – print/session management system
4 -
G - New business
1 – Library Board officers
2 – Draft 2005 Library budget
3 –
H - Discussion of bills
I – Adjournment
“The mission of the Lawrence Public Library is to provide and promote
informational, intellectual, and cultural resources for our community.”