Meeting Minutes
Board Members Present: Ron Hurst, Terry Leibold, and Craig Penzler
Board Members Not Present: Mary Burchill, Jill Fincher, John Nalbandian, and Jeff Shmalberg
Staff Present: Carole Dibben, Bruce Flanders, Louise Hanson, Tricia Karlin, Leslie O’Neil, Joyce Steiner, Sherri Turner
Youth in Local Government Present: Laura Parkinson
Guests Present: Mary Michener (League of Women Voters), Toni Harrell (Director, Talking Books Services, Kansas State Library)
Although a quorum of Library Board members was not present, Craig asked the Library Board members present to remain to listen to the informational items on the agenda. This discussion began at 4:35 p.m.
There were no public comments.
The minutes of the September 20, 2004 Library Board meeting were not reviewed. Bruce will seek approval of these minutes by email communications with Board members.
Financial and Statistical Report: Bruce reviewed the financial and statistical report, as well as library usage statistics. He noted that ILDP funds were recently received from the Kansas State Library. These funds are used for collection development; Lawrence Public Library is one of a number of interlibrary loan “resource libraries” that receives this grant on an annual basis. Bruce also noted that key Library usage statistics (circulation and user visits) were up for the month of September, and for the year to date.
Introductions: Bruce introduced Laura Parkinson, the new Youth in Local Government representative to the Library Board. Laura is a junior at Lawrence High School.
Talking Book Services Presentation: Toni Harrell, the Director of the Talking Book Service division of the Kansas State Library, presented information about this service, which is funded through federal and state funds and administered on a national basis by the Library of Congress. The service provides reading services to individuals who have experienced a loss of vision or physical disabilities that make reading normal print difficult. Over 300,000 titles are available, primarily in tape format, but in 2008, the service will begin providing recorded books in digital format. All of the books are unabridged. Books are mailed to clients, and are then returned at no cost (free matter for the blind postage). Over 100 magazine titles are also available.
Persons ages 8-18 represent the group whose participation in Talking Book Services is growing most rapidly. Most referrals come from medical doctors, support groups and hospitals. Public libraries can also serve to direct persons to the Talking Book Services.
Douglas County is served by one of the six Talking Book subregional outlets in Kansas. This outlet is located at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.
Recent initiatives include a successful LSTA grant application to purchase samples of new, smaller talking book cassette players, and a partnership started this year with Audio Reader in Lawrence to record books of particular interest to Kansas readers.
Craig noted that his wife is an ophthalmologist, and that he will refer the materials distributed by Toni to her.
In-Service Day: Sherri shared information about the 2004 annual in-service day, which will be held on Thursday, October 28. All Board members are invited to attend. Craig suggested that an invitation be extended to New Direction Task Force members as well, given the agenda items in the morning relating to library building programs.
Access Control and Print Management System: Bruce shared a printout of the Library website homepage that provides patrons with notification that this system will be installed on October 19-20, and will become operational on October 20.
Expanded Access to Reference Databases: Bruce shared a copy of the Library website page that lists the newly-expanded array of reference databases now available to patrons since remote patron authentication technology has been successfully implemented.
CKLS Meeting: Bruce will be out of the office two days next week to travel to western Kansas to present at a Central Kansas Library System (CKLS) workshop on managing equipment in the Library.
Friends Book Sale: Leslie shared information about the revenue generated by the Friends at their recently concluded Fall Book Sale. She also noted that over 300 volunteers were involved in every aspect of the book sale, and thanked the Library for its “enormously helpful” support. Dates for the 2005 book sales were shared.
Friends Sales Tax Issue: Bruce is working with the Kansas Library Association (KLA) Legislative Committee and the Kansas State Library to determine the requirements for sales tax collection and payment by Library Friends groups statewide. The Friends of the Lawrence Public Library Board of Directors is interested in working with local state legislators to seek a sales tax exemption for all Friends book sales.
Kansas Library Association Legislative Committee: Bruce has been asked to join this committee, and has accepted. This will allow him to have a more direct involvement in the creation of annual state legislative programs benefiting libraries.
Downtown Parking Advisory Board: Bruce applied for a vacant seat on this local advisory board, and the Lawrence City Commission accepted his application. Involvement in this group may benefit the Library, as it plans to expand services in downtown Lawrence.
2004 and 2005 Library Goals: Bruce plans to bring 2004 Library Goals to the Library Board for review in November or December. Draft 2005 Library Goals will be presented at the same time.
LSTA Technology Grant: The Library was successful in its recent LSTA Technology Grant application, and will receive $800 in federal funds to purchase software for development of the Library website.
HVAC Concerns: Bruce noted that he recently received expressions of concern from the public and staff regarding the temperature and lack of airflow in the building. He is working with Steve Bennett (City of Lawrence) and individuals from a local vendor to determine if greater control over the HVAC system can be achieved.
PATRIOT Act Brochure: A new “Welcome to the Lawrence Public Library” brochure has been created, and will be printed in quantity soon. This brochure includes information about the PATRIOT Act.
Vaccinations for Library Staff Members: Bruce noted that he is interested in developing a program by which vaccinations against certain blood-borne pathogens can be provided on a voluntary basis, at library expense, to certain staff members. He is particularly concerned about the building maintenance and circulation staff. Bruce will be further researching this idea. Ron suggested that Bruce inquire with USD497 and KU to see if they have any such program in place.
Since there was not a quorum of Library Board members present, the approval of bills will be handled by email communications with Library Board members.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Flanders
Approved _________________________________________________
Date
Secretary _________________________________________________
Jill Fincher
Chair _____________________________________________________
Craig Penzler
Director ___________________________________________________
Bruce Flanders
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, Kansas
Monday, November 15, 2004
at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Board Room
Call to order
Public comments
Minutes of the October board meeting and staff meeting
Librarian’s report
1. Financial/statistical report
2. Library programs, events, exhibits and displays
3. Access Control and Print Management system
4. Library Friends grant request ($16,500) funded
5. Library Foundation grant request ($19,800) funded
6. Article for “The Lawrencian”
7.
Ongoing business
1. Vaccinations for staff members
2.
New business
1. Langston Hughes Center partnership
2. Internet Policy – proposed revisions
3. Library Director annual evaluation
4.
Discussion of bills
Adjournment
“The mission of the Lawrence Public Library is to provide and promote
informational, intellectual, and cultural resources for our community.”