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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-14 Library Board of Trustees MinutesBozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Bozeman Public Library—Staff/Board Room Wednesday, August 20, 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 Lois Dissly and MaryJo Stanislao; City Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung; Friends Secretary Priscilla Dolan; Library Foundation Director Paula Beswick; City Manager Chris Kukulski; City Director of Economic Development Brit Fontenot; Director and Founder of Gallatin Art Crossing Tate Chamberlin. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Board Chair Ron Farmer at 4:02pm. Approval of the Minutes Trustee Judy Mathre moved that the minutes from the July 16, 2014 meeting be approved. Trustee Jennifer Pawlak seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes. Public Comment Tate Chamberlin, Director and Founder of Gallatin Art Crossing (GAC) reported on the recent merger of GAC and the Bozeman Sculpture Park (BSP). The move will allow GAC to create over 75 placements for public art between the Library and the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture. Board members from each organization who so choose will be incorporated into the new GAC board, and others may join an advisory board. Chamberlin, BSP President Chaucer Silverson and BPL Director Susan Gregory plan to meet with City legal counsel to discuss insurance coverage. All parties are excited to create a singular organization that promotes art in Bozeman. Pedestrian Walkway Update City Director of Economic Development Brit Fontenot reported that he has been in contact with the owner of the Harrington building currently under construction at Wallace and Olive about the pedestrian walkway that would allow patrons to cross through the property to the Library from Wallace. Walkway paperwork is currently being reviewed by the owners and their legal counsel. The owner requested that the City take responsibility for snow removal as well as maintenance and repair, and the latter is under discussion and negotiation. Fontenot is optimistic that a public walkway will become a reality once the construction is further along and the need for the walkway becomes more apparent. Until then, the area will be gated. The owner wishes to meet with Library representatives about landscaping plans in the near future. Trustee Pawlak inquired about plans for parking lot improvement. With the increase in traffic since the lot was constructed in 2006, there are numerous concerns from several parties about accessibility and safety for patrons crossing the parking lot. The Board discussed whether there is a protocol for determining what improvements are necessary. Members discussed the possibility of working with the Western Transportation Institute at MSU as well as getting patrons involved to formulate improvements to parking lot safety and traffic flow. BPL Director Susan Gregory will investigate the possibility of having someone from the Western Transportation Institute attend the next Library Board meeting to discuss the problems and viability of a traffic study. Holiday Schedule BPL Director Susan Gregory distributed an updated holiday schedule, which clarifies that the Library is closed on Election Day this year. Action Trustee John Gallagher moved to approve the revised holiday schedule. Trustee Mathre seconded. Discussion: Trustee Pawlak asked about Easter Sunday, and Circulation Supervisor MaryJo Stanislao responded that employees may choose to take the day off or work and earn a comp day. The Board unanimously voted to approve the revised schedule. Library Issues and Projects Chairman Farmer and BPL Director Susan Gregory distributed a list of Library issues and projects to follow up on. The Board and staff discussed advocating for Libraries in the state legislature, and other ways the Board can support BPL. The Board touched on other ongoing issues, such as the development of the outdoor area on the northeast side of the building, raising money for a permanent concrete ping pong table, and other possibilities for uses of outdoor spaces. The Board discussed how to improve the overall look of the landscaping around the Library, and whether the Library could implement better maintenance of the grounds through volunteers or another solution. The Board also discussed whether capital funds can be used to fund ongoing maintenance. Foundation Report Foundation Director Paula Beswick reported on upcoming events related to One Book One Bozeman, including the August 25th reception at the Story Mansion and MSU’s Convocation with speaker Shiza Shahid, followed by a talk by Shahid at the Library the next morning. Other upcoming One Book One Bozeman events include the Gallatin Valley Interfaith Panel discussion on September 3rd, the Wonderlust Friday Forum on September 12th, Links to Literacy and the 1st Grade Book Giveaway on September 12th, a Central Asia Institute community event on September 16th, and the League of Women Voters discussion of women’s voting rights on September 29th. In other updates, Yoga for All starts up again the Tuesday after Labor Day. Beswick thanked Mitch at Heeb’s Market for a successful barbeque fundraiser. She reported on Cinema Circus West, an annual family film event that will take place on September 13th at the Library, and that she is working with Montana PBS to create promotional videos about the Library to be shown on screens at the baggage claim area at the Bozeman-Yellowstone airport. The Foundation has also started working with Mammoth Marketing to begin to carry out the Foundation’s marketing plan for the Library. Mammoth will work on promotional efforts to raise awareness of the Library, as well as to help coordinate marketing efforts that are currently being handled by Library staff. Other Business City Manager Chris Kukulski requested permission to present on the proposed Rouse Justice Center at the next BPL Board meeting. The Board discussed whether brochures about the Justice Center should be available in the Library, and noted that an informal community discussion with Bozeman Police Chief Ron Price, City Manager Kukulski and Municipal Judge Karl Seel will take place at the Library on September 25th. City Superintendent of Facilities Report City Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung reported that his team is in the process of getting snow removal contracts in order for next year. They have sealed the cracks in the parking lot, and are looking into ways to prevent people from parking in access aisles. They may install signs and work with the city to issue tickets to violators. The facilities staff is taking bids on a new public address system, and has increased the amount of weed spraying around the Library grounds. There are still some broken sprinkler heads and irrigation systems that need to be repaired. Trustee Pawlak asked how the Master Gardener planted area is looking, and if the team from MSU has agreed to maintain the area for future seasons to come. Goehrung replied that the MSU Master Gardeners have committed to maintaining the area over the next few years. Correspondence BPL Director Susan Gregory shared correspondence from patrons. A patron requested Japanese language material for children. Another patron expressed a desire for more computer services. Regarding DVDs, there was one request for an alphabetical list of all DVD titles, and separately a complaint about the change from the one week to the two week lending period. Director’s Report BPL Director Susan Gregory reported that the Library has hired Jason Greenwald to be its Computer Training Center Coordinator. He is working on a class schedule of core computer classes available starting in early September. Gregory remarked that the staff picnic on July 25th was enjoyable, and that four staff members (Carmen Clark, Hannah Vidrich, Jennifer Lemon and Cindy Christin) attended the Pacific Northwest Library Association conference in Helena in August. Gregory recently attended a global leadership conference which featured several management experts. Gregory presented the Library’s July statistics which surpassed June’s high numbers and appear to be an all-time high for number of visitors to the Library as well as computer usage. Gregory distributed a draft budget and explained that the departure of several staff in FY14 and payments of their benefits were reflected in the personnel budget. Staff Report Lois Dissly shared a promotional card for the Bozeman Public Library app to be handed out at MSU’s Catapalooza event. She reported that Technical Services currently has two staff members who were hired from work programs. Her department is looking to fill a few part-time positions, including a 12-18 hour per week position which could allow more flexibility in scheduling the core Computer Services staff. The Board discussed staffing issues and whether a staffing study would be useful. Gregory noted that in the long term the Library is looking to create more 15 hour-per-week positions that might better facilitate shift swapping when staff members take sick or vacation leave, as well as more full-time positions. Friends Report Priscilla Dolan reported that the coffee shop sold $1,300 in books in July. Coffee table books are selling well, and book donations continue to pour in. The Friends are planning a parking lot book drop off in October where volunteers will meet patrons at their cars and receive book donations. The Friends group is still seeking a new treasurer. Current Friends of the Bozeman Library Treasurer, Sharyn Anhalt, is stepping down to devote more time to her store. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Ron Farmer adjourned the meeting at 6:03 pm.