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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2013 Library Board of Trustees MinutesBozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Bozeman Public Library—Board Room Wednesday, October 23, 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 Mary Jo Stanislao, Terri Dood, Lois Dissly; BPL Foundation Director Paula Beswick; City Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung; and President of Bozeman Sculpture Park Chaucer Silverson. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Board Chair Ron Farmer at 4:05 p.m. Approval of the Minutes Trustee Judy Mathre moved that the minutes of the Sept 25, 2013 meeting be approved. Trustee Jennifer Pawlak seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes with a spelling amendment on the second page. Correspondence BPL Director Susan Gregory shared correspondence from Library patrons. A patron suggested that we place another “Clean Air” sign near the entrance because he saw a large truck idling for long time. Someone asked that the Library baby-proof the blinds and drawers in the large meeting room. There were two requests for additional computer classes. A patron suggested that the Library provide a box to deposit loose change on the front desk. Gregory also shared a thank you note to the staff for helping with a program in the large meeting room. Bozeman Sculpture Park (BSP) Chaucer Silverson, President of the Bozeman Sculpture Park Board, gave an update on BSP business. Silverson shared a proof of ten banners that will be put up on poles along the trail. He also said that welcome signs are in the works. Silverson stated that he is talking with the owners of the Harrington Building to integrate sculpture on their property. Fundraising efforts continue and Silverson hopes to partner with an individual or organization willing to put up matching funds to stabilize the Sculpture Park. Some discussion occurred about linking the Sculpture Park more formally with the Library, working more with the Gallatin Art Crossing, or forming another group to support the arts in general. Items for Discussion/Action BPL Director Susan Gregory discussed the following items being proposed for Fiscal Year 2015 Capital Improvement funding that will need to be approved by the Library Board and brought before the City Commission: - New blinds in the large meeting room, the Montana Room, and the Children’s Dept. Head's office - New carpet for the Montana Room - Re-upholster furniture in the Children’s Dept., 15 chairs on the 2nd floor, and chairs in Teen Room - Replacing 12 task chairs - Replacing the Library’s exterior banners by 2016 - Adding wainscoting to the meeting room walls and the hallway by the first floor public restrooms Some discussion occurred regarding the status of previous CIP requests. Possible future parking lot/pedestrian access improvements were added to the requests. Trustee Judy Mathre moved that these requests be approved with the adjustment. Trustee Jacki McGuire seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve. City Superintendent of Facilities Report James Goehrung discussed the creation of a Citizens Advisory Board to deal with the updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Director’s and Staff Reports BPL Director Susan Gregory stated that three Bozeman Fire Dept. firefighters came to a Children’s storytime. Gregory reported the Library received a “Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources” from a patron this month, a mother who was very concerned about two books that her teenager had checked out from the Young Adult (YA) area and asked that the books be moved to the Adult Fiction area. A committee was formed that included Gregory, Young Adult Librarian Ginny Cowan, and Reference Librarian Carmen Clark, to study the book, research reviews and discuss the pros and cons of moving the book. Gregory shared the plot of the book and said that the majority of the reviews were positive. Both books are currently owned by over one thousand public and high school libraries, nationwide, as part of a YA reading curriculum and are on lists of notable Young Adult literature. Gregory said that moving the books to our Adult Fiction area wouldn’t affect a teen’s ability check out the books. The committee ultimately decided to retain the books in the YA area because the Library respects the rights of parents to guide their children’s reading selections, the author of both books is highly regarded, and both books are well-reviewed by reputable professional and literary journals. Some discussion occurred about Young Adult books in general and Gregory stated that books for the YA area are selected for ages 13 up to 18 so there are YA books that are not appropriate for all ages. Gregory stated that she attended a Gallatin County Commissioners meeting recently to discuss the Library’s FY13 annual report that was compiled by Children’s Department Head Cindy Christin. The Commissioners were pleased to hear that 34.8% of Bozeman card holders live in the rural part of Gallatin County. Dood shared the September Statistics sheet. Mary Jo Stanislao discussed the number of current card holders and why the numbers seem stagnant. Some reasons include the fact that library cards expire every three years, County residents only need one library card that they can use at all County libraries so a Belgrade resident can get a card in Belgrade and use that card at the Bozeman Library, and people are buying e-books. Stanislao then talked about what we are doing to increase these numbers including visiting elementary schools, giving tours, participating in Catapalooza, and placing signs promoting card sign-ups in the meeting rooms. Stanislao also brought up challenges to increasing these numbers including staff time and our policy requiring local residence address as proof of living in the County. Some discussion occurred regarding County funding and out-of-county fees. Judy Mathre asked that Library staff investigate these circulation issues and bring ideas for policy updates and changes to the Board at a future meeting. Friends Report No report Foundation Report Library Foundation Director Paula Beswick presented an update of her activities including:  Mark Twain reading – 70 people attended – two Shakespeare readings are being planned for April and a Robert Frost poetry reading next October  Sarah DeOpsomer started full time last week and has been working on getting up to speed on how the Library Foundation operates.  Children’s Festival of the Book events start Friday Nov 1. The author/illustrator reception will be held in conjunction with the art reception for Jane Quinn. All-day Festival is on Saturday, Nov. 2 with illustrator/author Henry Cole and author Maile Meloy.  Tribe of Irula program by Sarah Webb will be tonight.  Noon Notes at the Library Nov 4 – chamber music series will feature two classical guitarists.  Gallatin Art Crossing lecture series starts on Monday, Nov. 4, 7pm with local sculptor Erik “Ole” Nelson.  She met with Kenning Arlitsch, the Dean of Renne Library, about an audio collection of nature sounds and how the Bozeman Library can be a part of it.  Attended Opus and Olives book gala in St. Paul and toured the Hennepin County Library and the St. Paul Central Library and also spent a day with library consultants and their staff.  Beswick needs to follow up on the utility box wrapping. Adjournment There being no further business, Board Chair Ron Farmer adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.