HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-12 Library Board of Trustees Minutes
Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Library Board/Staff Conference Room
Bozeman Public Library
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Minutes
Attendance Present: Board Chair, Ron Farmer; Trustees Jacki McGuire, Jennifer Pawlak, Judy
Mathre, John Gallagher; Bozeman Public Library (BPL) Director, Susan Gregory; BPL Foundation
Director, Paula Beswick; BPL Department Head Lois Dissly; Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss; City of
Bozeman Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung; BPL Friends Vice-President, David House,
Treasurer Sharyn Anhalt.
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Farmer at 4:03 p.m. The Board then took a
moment to welcome the new Trustee John Gallagher.
Approval of Minutes Trustee McGuire moved that the July 12, 2012 meeting minutes be approved.
Trustee Mathre seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes.
Correspondence Susan shared comments from Library patrons and community members. Susan
received a letter from Montana State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Martha Potkin thanking her for serving on the selection committee for the new Montana State
University Library Dean. There was also a note from a Bozeman teacher thanking Library staff for
finding her wandering child, as well as a letter from a patron thanking staff for patiently helping
when her child had a “melt-down”. A patron wrote to thank the Library for arranging the Pinky & the
Floyd concert on July 29th, which was held on the Library Plaza. There were several requests for
materials, and one regarding a cataloging change. A patron wrote to complain about the elevator's
functionality, and a note was received that complained about debris in front of the Library. A
neighboring resident complained about the roofing crew starting work too early. There was a
complaint regarding the Library's collection of materials dealing with global warming. Susan
received a complaint about the Montana Meth Project sculpture outside the front door. A community
member complained about service dogs in the Library based on a family member’s allergies. A
patron and donor called to complain about a non-partisan display on Social Security that was
exhibited in front of the Library during the Sweet Pea Festival; Susan explained the Library's policy
regarding displays and petitions. Jacki asked whether Board members receiving calls at home
complaining about this or similar questions shouldn't perhaps respond by inviting the plaintiffs to
present their complaints at a regular Board meeting. Susan agreed that this was a good response and
said that she had suggested that the patron contact the Library Board with further objections. She
will be sure to remind patrons that they are welcome to attend Library Board meetings with input at
any time.
Friends Report Friends Vice-President David House presented an update of their activities. The
Friends have completed their Mission Statement review, which David read aloud to the Board. They
intend to follow with a review of the Friends' bylaws. Friends Treasurer Sharyn Anhalt announced
that the Friends will begin taking over the initial sorting process of gifts from Library staff, and that
they are coordinating with MSU's College of Business to present students an opportunity to advise on
the new process. They are planning on possibly having another Drop-Off Day in the spring of 2013,
once they've established their sorting processes.
Foundation Report Foundation Director Paula Beswick presented a report on their activities. Paula
began by passing out new BPL pens and refrigerator magnets, and spoke about the Library’s
presence at Catapalooza, the welcoming event for incoming students on the MSU campus. She
presented new posters for One Book One Bozeman, then mentioned Condoleezza Rice's upcoming
visit on September 5th as well as other related events in conjunction with One Book One Bozeman.
The popular College Prep workshops will continue beginning September 19th. The Foundation will
present Cinema Circus West, a children’s short film festival, on September 9th. On September 29th
there will be a staged reading of the play “8” with a reception to follow. Paula announced that the
Foundation Board will change to a bi-monthly meeting schedule to allow more time for committee
meetings and work. The final Day on the Green concert on August 19th was a great success, and
Paula received numerous positive comments; Pinky & the Floyd and the Hooligans have both
expressed interest in returning for the 2013 series. Trustee Judy Mathre announced that Paula is to be
honored by Humanities Montana on October 8th. Paula will be recognized as a “Humanities Hero”
for her tireless work in bringing outstanding humanities programs to the Bozeman community. The
celebration will be held in the Library’s large meeting room.
Director’s Report Susan Gregory began by mentioning her participation in the Leadership Bozeman
program, and then announced a BPL Staff Day on October 8th at the historic Gallatin Gateway Inn
for staff training and planning. She spoke about the Library's participation in the Sweet Pea parade.
Susan also announced a collaboration with librarians from MSU and Bozeman High School for a
Banned Books program at the Library on October 2nd, which will be preceded by a reception
featuring a sculpture made up of challenged and/or banned books by artist George Cole, hosted by
the Library Foundation. A proposal for managing multiple reservations of meeting rooms via co-
sponsorships with groups was presented. Susan discussed her attendance at the Global Leadership
Summit on August 9th and 10th. She mentioned the Library's participation in Catapalooza, and then
spoke about the Sculpture Park's opening on August 25th presenting six (6) new works by regional
Montana artists. The Bozeman Sculpture Park, on the Library’s south grounds, now features fifteen
(15) sculptures. Arrangements are being made for Library staff members to attend the Montana State
Library Fall Workshop in Billings on September 16th and 17th.
Items for Action/Discussion
Action Item Chair Farmer began by opening discussion of the Lindley Perk lease. Trustee
Mathre asked whether City Attorney Greg Sullivan was satisfied with the lease; Friends
Treasurer Sharyn Anhalt spoke with Greg for clarifications with the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) and lease, and he expressed his satisfaction with one change in
wording of the lease. Trustee Jacki McGuire expressed some concerns with wording on the
Action lease, and asked for explanation of certain passages. Trustee Jennifer Pawlak moved to
approve the lease and MOU as edited, which was seconded by Judy Mathre. The Board's vote
was four in favor, with John Gallagher recusing himself.
Action Item James Goehrung presented an update on the roof repair project. He explained
the necessity for two change orders regarding modification of snow guards and rib systems
Action which will add a couple of weeks to the project. After discussion, John Gallagher moved to
approve both; Judy Mathre seconded, and the Board voted unanimously to approve. James
then spoke about two further change orders dealing with using a different flashing material
around the edge of the roof which will mean a slight cost increase, while the second will
mean a cost reduction.
Action Item Chair Farmer invited discussion of a proposed change to the Board's regular
meeting schedule due to Susan Gregory's participation in Leadership Bozeman, from the 3rd
Action Wednesday of each month to the 4th. The change was unanimously approved without a vote.
Discussion Jennifer Pawlak had some questions about the FY2012 end of year budget and the
overage which has accumulated over the years, the current plan for which is to place the overage into
the Library depreciation fund.
City Report Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss spoke about the City Commission meeting regarding the
rezoning of the neighborhood around the Library.
Adjournment There being no further public business, Chair Farmer called the Board into a closed
Executive Session at 5.25pm. The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 26, at 4 p.m. in the
Library Board/Staff room.