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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-08-21 PLB MINUTES• • Englewood Public Library 3400 S . Elati St ., En9lewood, CO 80110 (303) 762-2560 MINUTES ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD August 21, 1990 The regular meeting (postponed from August 14) of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairman John Peterson at 7:29 p.m. PRESENT: John Peterson, Larilyn Ashlock, Douglas Cohn, Mary Dounay, Virginia Johnson, Al Quaintance, Joe Rathburn, Dorothy Totton REGRETS: Jeff Davis ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long, Library Service Manager, Alex Habenicht, City Council Representative to the Board, Donna Gottberg, Recording Secretary Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. There were no scheduled or unscheduled visitors. Chairman Peterson turned the meeting over to Hank Long for his r eport. Mr. Long distributed a compilation of the City's Citizen Survey answers. He noted that the overall results on the Library were good. Mr. Long distributed a copy of a press release regarding the Sunday opening of the Library beginning September 9, 1990. The Library will have Sunday hours (except for December 23, 30, March 31, and May 26) through Memorial Day. Mr. Long distributed a letter from the Polaroid Company. Polaroid will supply the Library with refurbished cameras at no charge to be checked out by patrons at no charge. Patrons must purchase the film for the cameras. This service will be available to the public in about 2 months.: A press release will be forthcoming. - 1 - Mr. Long added that engravers, in conjunction with the Operation ID program, are now available for check-out from the Library by Englewood patrons. Mr. Long continued with information that on Saturday, September 4 from 6:30 -7:00 p.m. Channel 4 will have no programming and no commercials. Instead there will be a message suggesting viewers read a book. This is a costly endeavor on their part in the hope that people will look to an alternative for TV watching. Mr. Long commented on a recent Circulation meeting where a Page (Roylene Al-Qatami) made a very useful suggestion regarding reshelving books from stacks of books left on tables by patrons. Hank felt this was such a worthwhile suggestion that he sent it to the Library Journal (Ready Reference Corner). This corner is sponsored by Gale Research. Gale Research sent a $50 check to the Library for the suggestion and this money was deposited to the Donor's Fund. · 90-18 MOTION: That the Board send a note of appreciation to Ms. Al-Qatami for her helpful suggestion. Moved by: Mary Dounay Seconded by: Virginia Johnson Motion carried. Mr. Peterson will draft the note for Ms. Al-Qatami. Chairman Peterson noted that the Colorado Information Connection will hold its Regional Conference in August in Grand Junction. The Denver Conference will be held on September 8. Mr. Peterson asked for a volunteer to attend. Ms. Totton will attend if at all possible. It was suggested, though not present, that Mr. Davis might be able to attend. The balance of the meeting was focused on suggestions on how to save the Bookmobile and its staff. Chairman Peterson gave background on the Bookmobile issue noting how this possible cut came about, and to keep in mind the condition of the Bookmobile vehicle. A directive from the City Manager stated that the Library and all other Departments must bring in their 1991 budget request less 5%. Letters and phone calls are coming in to various members and to Mr. Long asking that the Bookmobile not be cut from service. Mr. Long was asked by City Manager Fraser to offer alternatives to cutting the Bookmobile from service. Mr. Long noted that a new vehicle would cost $100,000, and he offered 3 alternatives: 1) A smaller vehicle (this would not be the personal service we have now, but only a delivery and pick up vehicle that would make stops at area schools and staffed by one person), 2) Finance the large vehicle through a 2 or 3 yr. lease/purchase, or 3) lease/purchase for 5 years (finance charges on this alternative would be high) . - 2 - • • • • Mr. Peterson made a further suggestion that was brought up through a meeting of several Board members earlier in the week. This was to ask Council to issue a 1.5 mill tax increase to Englewood homeowners for 1 year only and stipulated for Library u se only. It was believed that this increase would bring in $300,000-350,000 in funds. One hundred thousand could be used to p urchase a new Bookmobile vehicle and the balance (after funds f or 1 year Bookmobile salaries and operating costs) would be used to upgrade the Main Library's collection which has suffered over the years of continued cuts. Further discussion brought forth the suggestion that the carpet f u n ds be used as a downpayment on a new Bookmobile vehicle. Mr. Long interjected with the fact that this carpet (although may not b e dire condition at this time, will be badly needed in 1-2 y ears), has been requested now for 4 years. If funds used el sewhere there is no telling when the request could be put back in the budget. Mr. Long further noted that a downpayment on the Bookmobile vehicle is not enough, there must be a way to complete the funding and also take into consideration the salaries of the p e r sonnel involved. Mr. Long reluctantly went along with the Motion brought forth by the Board. 90-19 MOTION: That the Board recommends to City Council that f unds presently appropriated for carpeting in the Main Library in t he 1990 City Budget not be expended on carpet for the Library, but instead be set aside for a Bookmobile vehicle . Moved by Al Quaintance Seconded by Joe Rathburn Discussion followed. Moti o n was defeated Mr. Long shared a memo that he had written to the City Manager. Mr. F raser has proposed some additional funds (between the 95% pre v iously submitted and the 100% needed to continue full services); Mr. Long 's memo offered suggestions on how these additional funds be used. The city Manager accepted Mr. Long's recommendations. Ms. Habenicht explained why there has never been a fund set aside (C .E.R.F.) for a new Bookmobile vehicle. She further noted that large vehicles, such as fire equipment, are not put in the C.E .R.F funds either. Holding those large amounts of funds aside ye ar after year is not cost effective. 90-20 MOTION: To present a resolution to City Council asking for .a n increase of 1.5 mills in taxes for FY 1991, specified for the L ibrary use only, for the purpose of purchasing a new Bookmobile vehicle and staffing same, and also to upgrade the library resources above and .beyond standard operating budget. Mov ed by: Al Quaintance S econded by: Virginia Johnson Di scussion followed. Mo tion carried, with 1 "no" vote. - 3 - Chairman Peterson and as many Board members as possible plan to go before the City council and present their suggestions. Members' Choice Mary Dounay read a letter (one of several she has received) from a long time Englewood resident asking the Bookmobile not be cut. She further noted she had received phone calls too. Mr. Long has received several letters with the same theme. Dorothy Totten felt the Board should be represented at the Colorado Library Assoc. (CLA) program in Vail in October. She will try to attend. Larilyn Ashlock plans to attend a Scientific & Cultural Committee meeting where they are setting forth guidelines for funds for the coming year. Alex Habenicht feels it is important to have a liaison at the Board meetings. She feels the Board has set forth a thoughtful, well-informed, and studied resolution to send to Council. There were no committee reports. There was no discussion on the Statistical Report for July 1990. Two corrections to the July 10, 1990 meeting Minutes. Page 2, 5th paragraph, ... revenues were quoted incorrectly on statistics. Page 3, 1st paragraph. Ms. Totten refers to Malley buses, there are no Malley buses. Malley uses City vans as needed for programs, etc. 90-21 MOTION: That the Minutes of the meeting of· July 10, and July 31 be accepted as amended. Moved by: Al Quaintance Seconded by: Larilyn Ashlock Motion carried. The Board thanked Ms. Oounay for the refreshments this evening. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. augmin - 4 - • •