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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-14 Library Board of Trustees Minutes Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Bozeman Public Library—Staff/Board Room Wednesday, April 23, 2014 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 Mary Jo Stanislao, Terri Dood, Lois Dissly; City Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung; Mayor and Library Liaison Jeff Krauss; Friends President David House; Sculpture Park board member Emma Laatsch; Montana Master Gardener Coordinator Toby Day; Master Gardeners Jeanne McCormick, Tammy Young, Dara Palmer. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Board Chair Ron Farmer at 4:00 pm. Approval of the Minutes Trustee Jacki McGuire moved that the minutes from the March 26, 2014 meeting be approved. Trustee Judy Mathre seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes. Public Comment There was none. Master Gardener Presentation Toby Day, Horticulture Specialist and Master Gardener for the State of Montana, joined by officers of the Southwest Montana Master Gardener Association, gave a presentation proposing the installation of a Plant Select garden in the area between the BPL parking lot and Lindley Park Foot Bridge. Plant Select is an organization that specializes in researching and providing the best (unique, interesting, and drought-tolerant) plant material for the Rocky Mountain region. The Master Gardeners have been testing Plant Select plants in their own horticulture center and have found plants that work best for the Gallatin Valley. By planting a demo garden in a public, high- traffic area such as behind the Library, they hope to interest nursery owners and the public in new plant material and gardening techniques. The proposed area already has drip irrigation and the cost would be very low as the plant material is provided and the project would be created and maintained with volunteer labor. All benches and utility boxes would be undisturbed, and the gravel areas around the benches and some planted areas would be renovated. They would plan to maintain the garden long-term, with new plant material being added continuously, and possibly keep a journal with soil test data at the Library for public edification. Action Trustee Pawlak moved to approve the Master Gardeners’ proposal. Trustee Mathre seconded. The Board voted unanimously to approve the proposal. Correspondence BPL Director Susan Gregory shared correspondence from Library patrons. A patron turned in a formal complaint about another patron. A patron noted that the second floor women’s bathroom had a bad odor and asked the Library to do something about it. Another patron noted that all of the tables and benches in the Library lobby were full, and asked that the library consider adding more tables. The Board discussed the feasibility of the Friends buying more furniture for the lobby, and whether more furniture would impede viewing the artwork, emergency access, and if it would create too much noise that would carry over into the Library. A patron requested a computer class on eBay. Gregory noted that computer classes were offered through the end of December, and that the Library is currently working on hiring a person to teach computer classes. Director’s and Staff Report BPL Director Susan Gregory shared highlights from the Library’s March monthly statistics. There were 32,879 visitors, and 388 new library cards were issued. With 17% of the fiscal year remaining, 26% of the budget is left. About a dozen BPL staff attended the Montana Library Association Annual Conference in Billings, where staff presenters included Kerry Williams, Cindy Christin, Beth Boyson, Susan Gregory, and Amy Bekkerman (with Dr. Anton Bekkerman and Dr. Greg Gilpin). Staff was able to tour the new Billings Public Library. Gregory announced that BPL won a 2014 Excellent Library Service Award, given by the Montana State Library Commission to libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities in categories including fiscal management, collection development, policies, continuing education for staff and outreach to their communities. Thank you, Susan, for nominating the Library for this award! The “Poetry Live!” program on April 7th was attended by about 100 people, and the Library Foundation’s Cornerstone event was also a big success. Jack and Barbara Kligerman were awarded the 6th annual Cornerstone Award from the BPL Foundation for their support of the Library and their work putting on literary programming. The event featured period costumes, a sword fighting demonstration by members of The Montana Shakespeare in the Park Theater Company, a model of the Globe Theatre created by Montana State University Architecture Department students, and cider from Lockhorn Cider. A final tally of funds brought in is forthcoming. A good time was had by all. Gregory reported that she is working with Wendy Thomas and Brit Fontenot regarding the pedestrian walkway that would offer a path from Olive and Wallace into the Library’s parking lot. The engineering department has put together a draft easement. Mary Jo Stanislao, Head of Circulation, reported that during National Library Week (April 13-19) BPL offered its Food for Fines program, where patrons could bring in canned goods and have up to $20 in fines waived. At the end of the week, the Library had waived $412 in fines in exchange for 506 pounds of food which were donated to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Stanislao also noted that Circulation staff member Luc Brodhead has been accepted to University of Montana law school and will leave the Library at the end of May. Terri Dood, Head of Reference, reported that her staff is working on the maker’s movement as part of the strategic plan and that the program series will begin on May 6th and continues on the first Tuesday of each month. The kickoff will be July 1st. City Report Mayor Jeff Krauss reported that the City is currently considering storm water draining issues. In pre-1980s buildings, storm water drains directly into Bozeman Creek, which poses environmental issues. One proposal to cover the cost of fixing some of the major issues would raise Walmart’s storm water fee from $1,000 to $25,000 a year. However it is managed, it will impact the City budget. Regarding the non-discrimination ordinance, Krauss stated that there will be a two-and-a-half hour period of public comment following the policy meeting on Monday April 28th. On May 12th there will be another meeting to discuss the public ordinance and a vote will be taken. City Superintendent of Facilities Report James Goehrung, City Superintendent of Facilities, stated that he is in the process of getting lawn care contracts updated, sand and gravel swept out of the Library’s parking lot, updating parking lots with striping, handicap markings, and other work. He noted that the pedestrian walkway construction will impact the lot, and that it would be important to schedule the work in a time of lower usage. Trustee Gallagher asked if temporary parking could be opened at the southern end of the building at the dock area. Goehrung said that that area must be kept clear for emergency access. Trustee Pawlak noted that there is no walkway in the center lawn in front of the building, and that stepping stones would help patrons keep off of the landscaping. Goehrung said that stepping stones are on the list of upcoming improvements. Trustee McGuire asked about the status of the roof. Goehrung stated that the only issue right now is securing an area where birds have been pulling out foam from between corrugated metal and using it as a point of entry. His team is looking into what they can do to reseal and strengthen that area. Friends Report David House, Friends of the Bozeman Public Library President, reported that the Friends are working in several committees, including the Library Advocacy committee, which includes people from the Foundation, BPL Board of Trustees, the Friends, and the community. While the Friends of the Library group is changing and attracting more members, the group strives to maintain its niche, separate from that of the Foundation and the Board, and to convey that to the public. House stated that the lobby furniture discussed earlier by the Library Board would be a good thing to take to the next Friends board meeting. The next book sale is in July. Other Business Trustee Pawlak asked for an update on a policy regarding e-cigarettes. Director Susan Gregory replied that there is no policy as of yet, and that BPL will look into what other libraries have done on this issue. Staff has not encountered additional complaints on this subject. New no-smoking signs will be installed soon. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Farmer adjourned the meeting at 5:27 pm.