Meeting Minutes
Board Members Present: Mary Burchill, Jill Fincher, Ron Hurst, Terry Leibold, Craig Penzler and Jeff Shmalberg
Board Members Not Present: John Nalbandian
Staff Present: Carole Dibben, Bruce Flanders, Louise Hanson, Tricia Karlin, Sherri Turner
Guests Present: Megan Schoeck (Friends of the Lawrence Public Library Board of Directors)
Craig brought the meeting to order at 4:33 p.m.
There were no public comments.
The minutes of the November 15, 2004 Library Board meeting were reviewed. Jeff moved to approve the minutes. Mary seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
Financial and Statistical Report: Bruce reviewed the financial report, as well as library usage statistics. He noted that the expenditure of funds indicates that there may be funds to transfer to the Capital Improvement Fund at the end of the year. Library usage statistics were up for November, and for the year to date. Record circulation in excess of 800,000 total items will be set this year. It was noted that the circulation of children’s materials is not increasing, and efforts should be made to provide for better display and promotion of these materials.
Library Programs, Events, Exhibits and Displays: Bruce noted that a significant number of library events are being co-sponsored by other community organizations. There is a deliberate effort to seek co-sponsorship whenever possible in order to actively partner with the community and expand our ability to promote events.
Article in The Lawrencian: Bruce distributed copies of the December 2004 issue, the cover story for which is on the library expansion project.
Friends Sales Tax Exemption: Bruce said that he met with Representative Paul Davis earlier in the afternoon to see if he would be willing to assist the Friends in their effort to seek an exemption from the collection and payment of state sales tax on Friends book sales. Rep. Davis agreed to provide assistance, and plans to contact Joan Wagnon, Kansas Secretary of Revenue, regarding a possible interpretation to this effect. If that interpretation cannot be provided, he noted that he would be willing to introduce legislation in the 2005 session to seek such an exemption for library Friends groups.
Langston Hughes Center Partnership Update: Bruce reminded the Library Board that representatives of the Langston Hughes Center planning group will meet with the Library Board at their January 2005 meeting.
New Direction Task Force: Craig provided an update on the report development process of the past few weeks. Jeff moved to support and endorse the New Direction Task Force report, and to request that it be forwarded to the Lawrence City Commission. Ron seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
Craig and Bruce will ask the City Commission to schedule a study session in January 2005 so that there can be a discussion of the RFP process for consultant services. There will be three main areas of consultant service: (1) review of library programs, staffing and operations in an expanded facility, (2) a site feasibility analysis, and (3) and architectural concept analysis. We have provided the conceptual “why” for a new library in the current report; the consultant report will gather empirical data to support that conclusion, and to provide a definite plan for library expansion/relocation in downtown Lawrence.
It was noted that an election will be held in Spring 2005 for Lawrence City Commission; Library Board members will work to inform City Commission candidates of the need for support of an expanded library. Craig suggested that Callahan Creek could be used to develop a brochure to be used in this effort.
2004 Library Goals Review; Approval of 2005 Library Goals: Bruce described the 2004 goals document, as well as the draft 2005 Library Goals. He asked for Library Board suggestions and input, and recorded the suggestions for revision that were offered, including promotion of the redesigned Web site and promotion of the children’s collection. These revisions will be incorporated into the approved 2005 Library Goals. Jill moved that the 2005 Library Goals, as amended, be approved. Terry seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
Mary moved to approve the bills in the amount of $115,498.45. Jill seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
Mary moved that the Library Board go into Executive Session for 15 minutes, starting at 5:50 p.m., for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. Terry seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
The Library Board came out of Executive Session at 6:05 p.m., and the meeting adjourned at 6:05 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, January 17, 2005
at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Board Room
Call to order
Public comments
Minutes of the December 2005 board meeting and staff meeting
Librarian’s report
1. Financial/statistical report
2. Library programs, events, exhibits and displays
3. Speaking engagements – New Directions (Kiwanis, Presb. Manor)
4. LSTA Special Population Grant application
5. Library Legislative Day
6. Library Legislative Champion
7. Read Across Lawrence update
8. Capital Improvement projects
9.
Ongoing business
1. Preparations for City Commission Study Session
2.
New business
1. Langston Hughes Center presentation
2. NEKLS Grant Criteria
3.
Discussion of bills
Adjournment
“The mission of the Lawrence Public Library is to provide and promote
informational, intellectual, and cultural resources for our community.”