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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-2013 Library Board of Trustees MinutesBozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Bozeman Public Library—Board Room Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Minutes Attendance Present: Trustees Judy Mathre, Jacki McGuire, Jennifer Pawlak, John Gallagher; Bozeman Public Library (BPL) Director, Susan Gregory; BPL Department Heads Cindy Christin, Mary Jo Stanislao, Terri Dood; BPL Foundation Director Paula Beswick; City Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung; Deputy Mayor/Library Liaison Jeff Krauss; Friends Secretary Priscilla Dolan; and President of Bozeman Sculpture Park Chaucer Silverson. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Trustee Jackie McGuire at 4:03 p.m. Approval of the Minutes Trustee Pawlak moved that the minutes of the August 28, 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 patron asked that the Library ban cell phones. Another patron asked that the Library put the chairs back where they were. Some chairs were moved to accommodate the McNaughton “Most Wanted” book display, which caused some congestion in the New Fiction area, and the patron asked that they be returned to the first location. Someone asked that the Library please move handicap parking so that it would be closer to the doors. James Goehrung explained that the angle of the grade closest to the building is too steep according to the ADA code and that is why the handicap parking is where it is. Someone asked that a sign be put on the handrail leading up to the front of the Library to ask people not to park bikes or tie up dogs on it. James Goehrung said a sign is in the works and he is waiting on the Street Dept. to get it installed. Someone said we have the best Library and the best Librarians and they love the Sunday hours. A note was received giving big thanks to all the staff – especially to Pam Henley. Someone asked for more Thomas the Train and Lego books. Cindy Christin responded that the Library owns 30 Thomas the Train and 70 Lego books but that more were on order. Bozeman Sculpture Park (BSP) Chaucer Silverson, President of the Bozeman Sculpture Park Board, gave an update on BSP business. An exhibition period ended in August 2013 and artists were asked to sign new bailment agreements with updated liability insurance information and responsibilities specified in the agreements. Some people chose to take their pieces out but eight pieces from the 2013 exhibition will remain. The status of two sculptures is pending. Chaucer is waiting on new license agreements between the Sculpture Park artists and the City before moving forward. There was some discussion on who is staying and why others left. An artist would like to donate a sculpture currently exhibited in the Park to the Library. If the Library accepts ownership of this sculpture, it would become City property and insured by MMIA. There was discussion about the Library’s Art committee and what the policy is for donated art. Chaucer commented on additional contract matters, insurance issues, and the necessity to tighten up operating procedures to limit inconsistencies. City Attorney Greg Sullivan is working on updating the license agreement for the Park, which will need to be discussed and approved by the Library Board. Susan Gregory complimented Chaucer on his dedication and hours of work on maintaining the Bozeman Sculpture Park. Director’s and Staff Reports BPL Director Susan Gregory discussed the August statistics. Circulation is up 9% and there was a 44% increase in meeting room use. Terri Dood shared the revised new statistical sheet which highlighted the Summer Reading program. Department heads met with Anton Bekkerman and Greg Gilpin regarding a research project they are currently working on that would create a visual representation of library use in Bozeman based on Census tracts which will be helpful for marketing and outreach purposes. They would like to replicate this project in other libraries. The Yann Martel and Cinema Circus West programs were successful. There has been a lot of staff turnover recently – seven staff members have left since April for various reasons. Gregory stated that in order to stabilize this staffing situation her long term goal is to create more full time positions. Gregory is working with James Goehrung on identifying the Library’s Capital Improvement Requests from the City. There was discussion on items that need to be replaced or fixed, such as the window blinds in the Large meeting room, furniture in Children’s, banners out front, LCD projector, etc. James Goehrung will request a parking lot study. Library Trustee McGuire asked about capital improvement funds available to the Library from the County. Gregory said that the Department Heads had requested to use $15,000 of the FY14 funds for new DVD bins for the Library’s non-print materials and that the balance of the funds will be saved for possible larger purchases next year. A possible sign out front to post information was mentioned but Jeff Krauss said it is against City ordinances to install a reader board or certain other kinds of signs, so the Library should research what is possible. A man was suspended for six months for posting a threatening message on the Library’s Facebook page. Mary Jo Stanislao mentioned the Food for Fines campaign during Montana Library week (Sept 29-Oct 5). Shifting in the Adult Nonfiction continues. The new self-check station will be installed soon. Cindy Christin discussed the Children’s garden area. A list of things they would like to do and how much it will cost is in the works as well as looking for sources of funding. The goal is for people driving by to see activity outside the Library. The Library is going to host the annual Reading Rendezvous Oct 11-13. Terri Dood stated that several staff members will be attending the State Library Fall Workshops Sept 27- 28. A book talk program was held for the book Stirrups, Sage and Shenanigans that was well attended. James Goehrung stated that he will submit a request to design a native plant/zero-scaping area next to the park. There were some roof leaks along the skylights and in the flat roof section that need to be addressed. Susan Gregory also mentioned a poetry group that will be using the one of the meeting rooms for a Poetry Slam until midnight – Rocky Mountain Security has been contacted to secure the building that night. She stated that poetry programs are very popular with patrons of all ages and the number of these events is increasing. Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss went to the Economic Summit. Bozeman was mentioned frequently and favorably by many large companies. Krauss mentioned problems with pollution from the closed City landfill. Krauss is working on passing a levy for Gallatin College. Friends Report Priscilla Dolan reported that the Summer Book Sale raised $12,000 – the best ever! There are over 20,000 books for the next sale. The coffee shop brings in $700-900 every month. The Friends asked for business/marketing advice from a class at MSU – they suggested using a bigger sign and keeping track of what genre sells best. They found out that Fiction, children’s books, and books on special subjects sell the best. Work on their Strategic Plan continues. Goals include: increasing membership to 1000; increase fundraising by 10%; and working on visibility, advocacy, and additional collaboration with the Foundation. The Friends governance committee is working on various policies. New board members are needed. Foundation Report Library Foundation Director Paula Beswick presented an update of her activities including:  The Foundation and Friends met and several committees will be formed to work on visibility and advocacy;  Ginny Cowan has taken over the College Prep Classes and they will start in October;  Working with the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on an advertisement in the Out and About insert;  Submitting events to the Bozeman Magpie online magazine;  Attending the Economic Summit;  Attending Opus and Olives book gala in St Paul;  Meeting with Kenning Arlitsch, the Dean of Renne Library, about an audio collection of bird sounds  Facilitating a book talk by Todd Wilkinson at Aspen Point and Bozeman High School  Helping to host Yann Martel, author of The Life of Pi, who spoke at this year’s MSU Convocation. Events surrounding his visit included a Writer’s Voice contest and reception; a reception was held at the MSU Library for librarians, teachers, and Montana authors; and a public presentation was held at BPL Friday, Sept. 6.  Cinema Circus West was held Sept. 7 with over 400 people attending;  Art Reception – six pieces sold;  Shirley Hamp memorial;  Mark Twain program in the works;  Program with Sarah Web – local author;  Children’s Festival of the Book, coming in November; and  Paula hired Sarah Deopsmer to help with events and fundraising. She previously worked as the event planner and the major gift developer at the Yellowstone Park Foundation Adjournment There being no further business, Trustee Jackie McGuire adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.