Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2004
Board Members Present: Mary Burchill, Jill Fincher, Ron Hurst, Terry Leibold, John Nalbandian, Craig Penzler and Jeff Shmalberg
Board Members Not Present: none
Staff Present: Carole Dibben, Bruce Flanders, Louise Hanson, Tricia Karlin, Joyce Steiner and Sherri Turner
Guests Present: Edie Taylor (Friends of the Library Board of Directors) and Mary Michener (League of Women Voters)
Craig called the meeting to order at 4:32pm.
There were no public comments.
The minutes of the April 19, 2004 Library Board meeting were reviewed. Terry moved to approve the minutes. Mary seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
The April staff meeting minutes were reviewed. Craig presented the New Direction Task Force’s Design Summit results to the staff during this meeting. Mary commented that the collaboration between the task force and architects at the Design Summit was extremely positive.
Financial and Statistical Report: Bruce reviewed the financial and statistical report. He noted the equipment and maintenance, and travel expenditures to date. He also highlighted the increase in circulation statistics.
National Library Week: The events celebrating the library’s centennial and National Library Week were reviewed. Events included historical presentations, a birthday celebration and the unveiling of a new mural for the library entrance.
Library Foundation Annual Report: The Library Foundation’s 2003 Annual Report was distributed for Board member review.
Computer Room Renovations: Bruce reported the ongoing problem of uncomfortable high temperatures in the computer room. A duct free air conditioning system will be used to provide supplemental cooling for the room. This could be installed as early as this month. Craig advised against routing pipes for the system over desks or the collection if possible.
New Direction Task Force Activities: Bruce reported that the first public meeting discussing possible expansion or relocation of the library was well attended, and met with constructive questions and feedback.
The Task Force’s Design Summit was held on April 28-29. The results of this meeting are included in the Board packets. Craig reported that Arthur Andersson from Austin, Texas facilitated the meeting along with John Gaunt from the University of Kansas. The top five prospective sites for library expansion were randomly assigned to the architects and their resulting site designs and recommendations are on display in the Board Room.
The final meeting of the New Direction Task Force is Tuesday, May 18. The Task Force will bring their recommendation and final report to the Library Board for its approval. Upon approving an expansion plan, the Library will request funding from the City of Lawrence to study the specific costs involved for such an expansion. John suggested requesting that the City Commissioners adopt a resolution to approve the concept of the Library’s expansion.
PATRIOT Act Resolution: Bruce reported that the Lawrence City Commission passed a resolution calling on Congress to amend the PATRIOT Act. Rather than posting additional signage in the Library, Bruce recommended that a brochure be created explaining the law pertaining to Library use. Such a brochure could summarize the Library’s policies relating to patron privacy and confidentiality, such as the practice of expunging records of borrowed materials from the online circulation system once the items are returned, and fines, if any, are paid.
Fiction Relocation: Bruce reported that the staff is continuing discussions about the possible relocation of the fiction collection upstairs. The staff shared concerns about the relocation. Craig asked the staff to continue to study the issue and to bring a suggested solution to the Board at a later time.
Budget Hearing: Bruce and Craig attended the City Commission’s budget meeting today and requested an increase to support enhanced current operations, staff development and special funding for the expansion study. Such an increase would likely increase the mil levy from 2.7 to 3.2 mils.
Jeff moved to approve the bills in the amount of $63,544.71. John seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 6:07pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Fincher
Approved _______________________________________________
Date
Secretary _______________________________________________
Jill Fincher
Chair __________________________________________________
Craig Penzler
Director ________________________________________________
Bruce Flanders