Meeting Minutes
Board Members Present: Mary Burchill, Jill Fincher, Ron Hurst, John Nalbandian, Craig Penzler and Jeff Shmalberg
Board Members Not Present: Terry Leibold
Youth in Local Government Representative Present: Laura Parkinson
Staff Present: Carole Dibben, Bruce Flanders, Louise Hanson, Joyce Steiner, Sherri Turner
Guests Present: Mary Michener (League of Women Voters), Cynthia Hernandez (KU Journalism student)
Craig brought the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
There were no public comments.
The minutes of the January 17, 2005 Library Board meeting were reviewed. Mary moved to approve the minutes. Jeff seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
Financial and Statistical Report: Bruce reviewed the financial report, as well as usage statistics. He noted that the first tax disbursement check from the City was deposited earlier in February. A drop in Library Web site hits was noted in January 2005, but this statistic should be on the rise soon, as the newly-redesigned Web site should be unveiled later this week. John recommended that a funding request be submitted to the Library Foundation and/or Friends in order to place a significant advertisement about the Web site in a Sunday edition of the Lawrence Journal-World. The ad could prominently display sample Web pages with descriptions, as well as a note that the ad was paid for by the Foundation and/or Friends.
Library Programs, Events, Exhibits and Displays: Bruce noted that Maria has been working hard on a series of Black History Month programs in cooperation with the Lawrence chapter of the NAACP. Read Across Lawrence events will be held in March.
Speaking Engagements – New Directions: Bruce gave presentations to the Noon Kiwanis Club and a group at Presbyterian Manor earlier this month. The Library’s plans for expansion were well received.
LSTA Special Population Grant Application: Bruce said the Library plans to develop a “Special Populations” grant application by April 1, 2005. He is working with other staff to determine the focus for the grant request.
Library Foundation Activities: The Library Foundation has been working on a fact sheet and brochure. Bruce is preparing the Foundation’s 2004 Annual Report, which will be presented at the Foundation annual meeting in April. Progress has been made on the donor wall artwork, and artist Ron Hinton is working on this project now. It will be constructed in four sections, using stainless steel, copper and bronze, folded in gentle curves to simulate pages of a book. Bruce, Jill and John Naramore will be meeting soon to develop a donor level scheme for use in preparing donor plaques for the donor artwork.
Library Legislative Day: Bruce noted that the annual Library Legislative Day was held on February 17. He also noted that Rep. Paul Davis has agreed to be designated as a “Library Legislative Champion.” In related news, Rep. Davis introduced HB 2221, which would exempt public libraries and Friends groups from the collection and remittance of state sales tax on sales. Bruce attended a House Taxation Committee hearing last week where testimony in favor of HB 2221 was presented.
Quilter’s Guild Reception: Bruce reminded the Board that the reception will be held on Monday, March 7, at 4:00 p.m. This will be a come and go affair, and will honor the work of the Kaw Valley Quilter’s Guild on the six quilts on display in the lobby. Bruce noted that he would like to see the Library continue to acquire artwork for permanent display.
IMLS Grant Application: Bruce noted an interesting grant opportunity from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This grant application, which involves the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, will create a partnership between Kansas Public Radio (KANU), the KU Spencer Museum of Art and the Library. The project will allow the radio station to continue production of its “Arts Minute” program and seek to syndicate it. It will also allow the Spencer Art Museum to continue digitizing its collection and make that collection available through its Web site. It will allow the Library to acquire additional materials for its adult non-fiction art collection, and place an interactive kiosk in the Library for patron access to the radio programs and Spencer Art Museum collections. The grant application is due March 1, 2005.
Kan-ed Internet Connectivity Subsidy: Bruce will be applying for approximately $3,000 in grant funding from Kan-ed. These funds would be used to subsidize our Internet expenses.
Political Activity Policy: Bruce will be working with a local attorney to revise the Political Activity section of the Employee Handbook.
Information Network of Kansas: Bruce will be seeking to join the Board of Directors of the Information Network of Kansas (INK). This is a Governor-appointed board that meets once a month in Topeka. It is responsible for state government information accessible via the Internet (www.accesskansas.org), and related online initiatives.
New Direction Task Force: Craig described the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) draft document. It has undergone review by a number of individuals, and needs some further revision. It will be released by the City, and responses will be reviewed by an “oversight committee,” with membership from the New Direction Task Force, Library Board and staff, and City Commission.
The scope of the consultant’s study will be narrowed to review only the Library’s current location in downtown Lawrence. The first phase of the study will involve an inventory and analysis, strategic planning process and preliminary cost feasibility research. The “prime consultant” who will conduct Phase One activities will also help the oversight committee determine what other consulting expertise needs to be brought to bear on the study this year. We may wish to engage the services of a library consultant, a master plan architect and/or a market feasibility analyst. The prime consultant may or may not continue to work with the Library after Phase One. It is estimated that the first phase of the work will cost approximately $25,000. Jeff and John noted that the RFQ should be clarified to define the property boundaries that will be included in the study. Bruce and Craig will work together to finalize the RFQ document within the next two weeks.
John recommended that the Library sponsor a half-day bus trip to the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, and consider sponsorship of trips to the Columbia, Missouri and Springfield, Missouri libraries as well. These trips would be open to Library Board and staff, as well as City Commissioners and City staff. This idea will be pursued.
City Commission Candidate Contacts: Bruce described a process whereby Library Board members could be in touch with the six City Commission candidates as determined by the March 1 primary election. Library Board members will work to contact each of the candidates and ensure that the Library’s needs, funding concerns, and plans for expanded facilities and services are communicated to each individual. Library Board members will also attend and participate in City Commission candidate forums during March.
Langston Hughes Literacy Center: Mary asked what she should say to those who inquire about the Library’s possible partnership with the nascent Langston Hughes Literacy Center. It was noted that we agreed to explore the possibility of a partnership, but that is all we can definitely say at this point.
Mary moved to approve the bills in the amount of $93,037.90. Ron seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Flanders
Approved _________________________________________________
Date
Secretary _________________________________________________
Jill Fincher
Chair _____________________________________________________
Craig Penzler
Director ___________________________________________________
Bruce Flanders