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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-2013 Library Board of Trustees Minutes Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Board Meeting Room Bozeman Public Library Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Minutes Attendance Present: Board Chair Ron Farmer; Trustees Judy Mathre, Jacki McGuire, Jennifer Pawlak; Bozeman Public Library (BPL) Director, Susan Gregory; BPL Department Heads Lois Dissly, Terri Dood, MaryJo Stanislao; BPL Friends Vice-President David House; BPL Foundation Director Paula Beswick; City Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung; City Manager Chris Kukulski; Deputy Mayor/Library Liaison Jeff Krauss; City Attorney Greg Sullivan. Guests Local residents Gary Gullickson, Kathleen Ball, and Salal Huber-McGee; Library staff member Kari Grimm. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Farmer at 4:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes Trustee Jacki McGuire moved that the minutes of the February 27, 2013, meeting be approved. Judy Mathre seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes. Public Comment and Items for Discussion/Action Chair Farmer, at the urging of local resident Gary Gullickson, put documents from City Attorney Greg Sullivan before the Board for consideration including a proposed motion and a revised plat of the alley turnaround on Library property as requested by Trustee Gallagher. Greg Sullivan explained the proposal from the City and the process of plat amendment and establishment of the alley as a public right of way. Trustee McGuire inquired whether the existing signage and traffic cones indicating resident access only would remain, but Greg confirmed that they would be removed to open up the right of way. The question was raised as to whether this was the only option, to which Greg responded that aggregating the parcels through an amended plat would be the best legal means to make the alley turnaround Action permanent. Trustee Mathre moved that the draft motion from Greg Sullivan to authorize the establishment of the alley as a public right of way and for the aggregation of the parcels in question be adopted, with the proviso that the set-back be increased from 60’ to 100’ from the North boundary. Trustee McGuire seconded the motion. Trustee Pawlak inquired whether and how the proposed change to the set-back might affect the Sculpture Park. Chair Farmer indicated that the Sculpture Park’s current and proposed exhibit areas would not be adversely affected. Resident Kathleen Ball expressed concerns about parking along the proposed turnaround, noting that the stated reason for the right of way is for emergency vehicle access and opining that signage forbidding parking would be necessary to ensure such access. Greg Sullivan stated that the City has the power to remove encroachments into the right of way. All board members present voted to approve the motion. Correspondence BPL Director Susan Gregory shared correspondence from Library patrons. A patron requested blinds by the DVD viewing stations to reduce glare. Another asked that the Library place a sticker on materials that “promotes a homosexual lifestyle”. A compliment was received praising Library staff member Jason Greenwald, another patron praised the Library and said her grandson looks forward to returning for a visit just so he can come to the Children’s Library. A concerned mother commented upon disruptive patrons she and her children had witnessed, and inquired about the Library’s efforts to deal with the problem; Susan met with her and discussed the Library’s ongoing actions in coordination with the Bozeman Police Department to improve patron and staff security, and the role of the Police as peace officers in a social services sense. The patron was very pleased by the Library’s compassionately proactive approach regarding difficult patrons. Jennifer Pawlak asked whether there had been any further contact from the patron upset about the Library’s use of a collection agency for lost or long-overdue materials discussed at the March 27 Board meeting; Chair Farmer wrote a letter to the patron and Circulation Department Head MaryJo Stanislao stated that the patron had paid his fees. Director and Staff Reports BPL Director Susan Gregory presented statistical and budget reports, and spoke about the Montana Library Association (MLA) annual conference which took place April 17-20 in Missoula. Several Library staff members presented at the conference; Susan spoke of her participation in a panel focused on building community partnerships, then ceded the floor to other Library staff to report on their contributions. Kari Grimm began by reporting on a presentation she gave with Jason Greenwald and Katy Lowder titled “Planet of the Apps”, showcasing ways to improve services with mobile technology and free applications. Jason's portion featured apps geared towards school librarians and making videos for social media. Kari's featured a collection of free apps for image editing, and Katy's focused on apps for QR codes which patrons can scan to find further information about Library services or displays. Children's Librarian Cindy Christin was unable to attend, so Susan reported in her stead. Cindy took part in two panels, “How to be a Family-Friendly Library” and “Every Child Ready to Read at your Library”, while Library staff member Ginny Cowan took part in a panel titled “Programming for School-age Children”. Susan ceded the floor to Library Department Heads Lois Dissly and MaryJo Stanislao to report on a conference titled “Computers in Libraries” in Washington, D.C. MaryJo spoke about workshops which she attended, and commented on technological and resulting social changes which she felt will drive the ways in which libraries maximize emerging technologies to better serve patrons in a competitive world. Lois spoke about workshops which she attended, mostly focused on ideas which we are already trying to implement. A pre-conference on mobile strategy dealt with an APP called ‘Boopsie’ for Libraries, which she will investigate further with a view toward improving the Library webpage interface on mobile devices. She visited with an Envisionware representative regarding their products for time and print management, in order to compare it with the CybraryN package which the Library currently uses. She also noted a nascent trend away from printing towards the use of document stations, from which patrons can scan and fax or email documents or images. She also attended a workshop on “Measuring Library Impact” focusing on the importance of partnering in the development of policy for the gathering and presentation of statistical information. Another dealt with “Planning and Managing for Gadgets”, with an eye growing with technology to improve mobile access to Library patrons; yet another was “Make Your Space”, an interactive space for people to build community while exploring new and emerging technologies. Lois and MaryJo both opined that the conference was excellent and timely, considering the Library's current focus on strategic planning. Susan announced the election of Reference Librarian Beth Boyson as MLA President, and then ceded the floor to Reference Department Head Terri Dood. Terri then spoke about a series of lunch hour workshops they've been presenting on financial management. Finally, Susan reported on a meeting she'd had with other County Library Directors and County Finance Director Ed Blackman who reported that he anticipates an estimated increase of $26,000 to the County's contribution to the Library. Additionally, Susan stated that libraries state-wide will receive an increase in their State contribution of $.30 per capita with the adoption of HB 203. An immigration rally is scheduled for May 1st in front of the Library. Trustee Jacki McGuire inquired of MaryJo as to her staffing problems, leading MaryJo to discuss her two new hires, Patrick Roten and Luc Brodhead, as well as the resignation of Mary Braun. Lois also announced that Jason Greenwald has asked to be reclassified as a Substitute. City Reports Deputy Mayor/Commission Liaison Jeff Krauss had nothing to report from the City. Friends Report BPL Friends President David House reported on the Friends' activities. David began by asking Lois to keep the Friends advised of her plans to integrate new technologies to see if they might be of support. He thanked the Library and the Foundation for the opportunity for the Friends to take part in the Strategic Planning process. He also mentioned a desire for closer communication between the Friends and Foundation to establish common goals and objectives. Foundation Report Foundation Director Paula Beswick presented a report on their activities. The One Book One Bozeman kickoff event on April 4 brought over 100 attendees to local author Todd Wilkinson's reading at the Country Bookshelf, with a like number attending the fete at Ted's Montana Grill afterward. The Cornerstone Celebration on April 20 celebrating Ted Turner and local author, David Quamman was a tremendous success, with numerous attendees commenting that the Celebration is “the best party in Bozeman”; while exact figures are not yet available, attendance was estimated at over 200, and the event is expected to generate between $26-30,000. Paula also met with MSU Dean of Letters and Sciences Nick Ray to discuss collaborative programs between the University and the Library and Foundation. The deadline for 2014 artist exhibits is April 30, for which she has received more submissions than in previous years. The opening reception for the current exhibit featuring local artist Wendy Marquis led to the sale of six works. Paula also met with representatives of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and several other local non-profits about creating a quarterly publication dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic events in the Gallatin Valley; it is hoped that the first edition will be ready for a July release. There are three upcoming College Prep Workshops, and there will be a reading on May 4 by author Peter Fox Smith (“Passion for Opera”) on opera, while on May 7 author of Transmontana Bobbie Zenker, will speak on the transgender experience. Music programs in May will see the 11th Street String Quartet perform for the Notes at the Library series on May 6, followed by the season's last Exploring the Arts program on May 20 featuring local singer-songwriter Megan Makeever, who will present “A Philosophical and Emotional Journey through Song” on the songwriting process. The Jazz & More featuring Kelly Roberti series will begin on June 10, to run through the last Monday in August. Paula and Terri have been collaborating to organize basic computer classes at Aspen Pointe on May 10, 17, and 24. Denise Malloy will do a reading of her new book, Stumbling Through Motherhood, at Aspen Pointe on July 18th. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Farmer adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.