HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2013 Library Board of Trustees MinutesBozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Bozeman Public Library—Board Room
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Minutes
Attendance Present: Board Chair Ron Farmer; Trustees Judy Mathre, Jacki McGuire, Jennifer Pawlak,
John Gallagher; Bozeman Public Library (BPL) Director, Susan Gregory; BPL Department Heads Cindy
Christin, Lois Dissly, Terri Dood; BPL Foundation Director Paula Beswick; City Superintendent of Facilities
James Goehrung; City Attorney Greg Sullivan; Deputy Mayor/Library Liaison Jeff Krauss
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Farmer at 4:05 p.m.
Approval of the Minutes Trustee Jacki McGuire moved that the minutes of the July 24, 2013, meeting
be approved. Judy Mathre seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the
minutes.
Correspondence BPL Director Susan Gregory shared correspondence from Library patrons. A message
left in a Library suggestion box complained that the Library was rude for not telling patrons via voicemail
that the computers were down one Sunday; Susan explained that the Library voicemail had been down,
too. Another patron asked that the wooden chairs on the second floor be replaced. Someone
suggested that the Star Trek books be organized by series. Staff member, Carrie Genovese, received
kudos for being very helpful. Terri Dood also received a compliment from a patron whom she helped to
set up an email account. Staff member, Sandra Brug, wrote to thank the Board for the pay raise she
received; she also mentioned that patrons had expressed satisfaction that the Library was now open on
Sundays in the summer.
Director’s and Staff Reports Dr. Anton Bekkerman and Dr. Greg Gilpin, MSU Economics Department
faculty, have approached Gregory about doing a statistical research project that could be of value to the
Library. They are developing software that can indicate library material checkout patterns by
neighborhoods in the community. This type of information could be helpful in planning collection
development and services. The Montana State Library Shared Catalog Executive Board met at the
Library on July 26. The Foundation hosted “Pinky and the Floyd” on the Library plaza July 28 as a part of
“Music on the Green” series. Library directors from the Gallatin County libraries met with Gallatin
County Finance Director, Ed Blackman, at the Library on August 7 to review the available FY2014 Library
Capital Funds. BPL’s share was $50,000 of which $15,000 will be spent this year on DVD shelving and
the remaining $35,000 will be rolled over into the next fiscal year for Library capital projects. Ten staff
members attended Catapalooza at MSU and signed up 197 new Library cards. A 27 year old male patron
was suspended for a year stemming from an incident involving lewd behavior the YA area. The police
notified the Library that members of the Animal Liberation Front planned to protest in front of the
building August 24; four protestors showed up. The Montana State Library is convening a task force to
review current library district law and Gregory has been asked to participate.
Statistics Gregory, Department Heads, and Staff members Katie Biehl and Amy Bekkerman have been
working to revise statistics collection and reporting for the Library. Terri Dood unveiled the new
statistics sheet that was developed and asked trustees to give input on how it might be improved. Once
finalized, it will replace the old version of the form.
Items for Discussion The Board approved moving its November meeting to November 20 in order to
avoid the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friends Report Gregory reported that the Friends met August 26 for two hours with Library consultant
Sue Hall, of Library Strategies, St. Paul, MN, to develop a 3-year strategic plan for the group.
Foundation Report Library Foundation Director Paula Beswick presented an update of her activities
including:
Another successful Heebs BBQ fundraiser was held August 16.
The Pinky and the Floyd and Hooligans concerts were a hit with many attendees July 28 and
August 18.
Yann Martel, author of The Life of Pi will be the speaker for this year’s MSU Convocation. Events
surrounding his visit include a Writer’s Voice contest and reception; a reception at the MSU
Library for librarians, teachers, and Montana authors Sept. 5; the convocation speech at 6:30
that evening in the Fieldhouse; and a public presentation at BPL Friday, Sept. 6.
Cinema Circus West will be held Sept. 7. There will be two showings of short films for children
and a circus performance.
Yoga classes start again Sept. 3.
The Foundation is co-hosting Green Drinks with the City of Bozeman, featuring the Library's
LEED certification and the sustainability programs with the City. It will be held in the Library’s
Community Room August 28 at 5:00 p.m.
Ryan Rickert, owner of Clean Slate Group, has offered to wrap electrical boxes on the Library’s
property this Fall and do additional wraps next Spring, including the Library car.
The Foundation Board adopted its own Strategic Plan with the following four focus areas: increase
fundraising, reduce its focus on programming, work on a capital campaign, and an increased advocacy
role.
City Attorney’s Report Greg Sullivan reported that he has met several times with Chaucer Silverson
and other board members of the Bozeman Sculpture Park (BSP) in order to resolve issues regarding the
Park. He gave the Board a review of the history of the Park. Planning for it began in 2009 when the first
license agreement between BPL and BSP for the use of the Library’s property was signed. In that
agreement, the City’s insurer, the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority (MMIA) agreed to cover the
sculptures, with a $5000 deductible. The first installation of sculpture occurred in August, 2011. In 2012
vandals damaged three pieces. One artist has asked for $2400 to repair the damage to his piece but
since it was under the deductible limit the claim was denied. Sullivan recommends that the Library have
one more, revised license agreement with BSP and after that, artists must carry their own insurance.
This may affect which artists are willing and able to participate in the BSP. The current bailment
agreement with BSP ends Sept. 1, 2013. Trustee John Gallagher asked what BSP President, Chaucer
Silverson, thought of this plan. Gregory said that Silverson had been unable to attend the Board
meeting due to an emergency but that Silverson agreed with the concept and would attend the
September Library Board meeting to follow up with the Trustees.
Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Farmer adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.