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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-18 BPL Minutes FinalBozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Bozeman Public Library—Board Room Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 Minutes Attendance Board Chair John Gallagher; Vice Chair Ron Price; Trustees Jennifer Pawlak, Ken Spencer, Kelley Dowdell; Bozeman Public Library (BPL) Director Susan Gregory; BPL Department Heads Mary Jo Stanislao, Lois Dissly, Cindy Christin; Administrative Assistant Lauranna Cossins; City Commissioner Terry Cunningham; Friends of the Library President Stewart Mohr; Bozeman Public Library Foundation Director Janay Johnson. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Board Chair Gallagher at 4:00pm. Library Space Planning Susan Gregory introduced Traci Lesneski, who chairs the American Library Association’s Public Library Architecture committee, and is a principal with MSR Architects in Minneapolis. She is the design architect for the new Missoula Public Library and her firm has worked on a design project for the Lewis & Clark Library in Helena. She was one of the producers of the Library Journal Design Institute held at the Bozeman Public Library three years ago and came to Bozeman to do a walkthrough of the Library and suggest ideas for making the best use of the existing space in the building. Gregory said that Lesneski could put together a menu of improvements and their costs, so that BPL could do projects in phases as funding becomes available. Approval of the Minutes Trustee Pawlak moved to approve the minutes from the September 19th, 2018 meeting. Vice Chair Price seconded. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes. Economic Development and the Library Brit Fontenot, the City of Bozeman’s Economic Development Director, spoke about the role of libraries in a city’s economic development. He said Bozeman’s economic development plan prioritizes infrastructure by supporting local businesses and focusing on education and workforce development. He spoke about how the Library’s strategic plan and the City’s economic development plan complement one another, and said there is great opportunity in working together. He proposed that his department and the Library put together an economic impact analysis for the Library, and that the Economic Development Board and Library Board cross-pollinate members. Fine Free Update Susan Gregory said that she will meet with the City Finance Director and City Manager Andrea Surratt to discuss how to make up the general fund revenue lost by going fine free. One idea is to have a start date in January, which would be halfway through the budget year, and therefore the Library could only need to make up half of the budgeted amount. November Board Meeting Trustee Pawlak observed that the next month’s Board meeting is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving. The Board agreed to move the meeting to November 14th. Correspondence Susan Gregory shared correspondence from the community. A patron suggested separating out foreign film DVDs. Someone requested a standing desk for reading. Someone else wanted the Library to open the doors to the Community room when people are practicing piano. A patron thanked employee Dan Heisler for amazing customer service. Someone said that the Bozeman Public Library (BPL) is the best recipient of their tax dollars, bar none. A patron from Mississippi said that BPL is doing an amazing job and that the Library is spectacular. Director and Staff Report Susan Gregory said that she had shared Facilities Supervisor Mike Gray’s email about the parking lot project status with the Board prior to the meeting. The email provided more detail about the situation, and the conclusion was that it is very difficult to find someone to do the construction work because everyone is busy in the current construction boom. The Labyrinth construction is underway. Gregory and Kit Stephenson went to a Montana Library Association fall retreat this past weekend at Chico. The first SymBozium event is taking place on Tuesday evening in the Crawford Theater at the Emerson Cultural Center; three panelists, including the Foreign Desk Chief for NPR, will visit Bozeman and participate as panelists. Cindy Christin reported that the Library has partnered with United Way to post nine heavy duty metal signs on Library grounds which encourage parent-child engagement. The signs have suggestions for parents and children about things to notice and do in the environment on the east side of the Library. Christin said that the 11th annual Children’s Festival of the Book is coming up on November 10th and will feature Matthew Cordell, who recently won the Caldecott Medal for Wolf in the Snow, and Tracey Baptiste, an author of books for elementary through high school students. Lois Dissly reported that the Library reorganization is continuing, and the work areas in Tech Services are being shifted around. She said a patron brought treats and a thank you note for Katie Biehl to thank her for her help with the copier and scanner. Another patron from Florida was very touched by a sympathy card Beth Boyson and staff sent to him. Dissly said she has been going to Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition meetings, and learned that the homeless shelter needs toilet paper, so she put out a call to staff and received several packages of toilet paper to take to the shelter. Mary Jo Stanislao reported that Circulation and Information are cross-training, and some of her staff are now working shifts at the Info Desk. Everyone is fine-tuning the scheduling process and working out bugs. City Report Commissioner Terry Cunningham reported that the City is in the middle of plans for growth, land use, community, and the neighborhood conservation overlay district, and after a round of public outreach and engagement, recommendations will be made for the plans. The City has kicked off its affordable housing needs assessment. There is a group of 20 members working on an action plan. Friends of the Library Report Friends of the Library President Stewart Mohr reported that the Friends are working hard and raising money. He said the Friends will solicit ideas and explore ways to help support the Library’s fine free transition. There is a Friends book sale the first weekend of November, and a few more pop-up sales planned between now and the holidays. Foundation Janay Johnson reported that the Library Gala went very well, and thanked everyone who attended, donated, and helped to plan it. She said the Gala had 20% more attendees than last year, and made 30% money. The Gala grossed $117,000. Adjournment There being no further business, Board Chair Gallagher adjourned the meeting at 4:50pm.