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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-11 PLB MINUTES• i!!jl: i;li~ :l1;111 .,,,., !1:.1! l!ill: fill; llil·i jl,1:1 .,:11 Eng 1 e wood Pub 1 i c Li bra r y iii!!! 3400 S . ElaH St., Englewood, CO 80110 (303) 762-2560 ijil;: ----------Ui·:•I;• ,,.. ···: MINUTES ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD September 11, 1990 The regular meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairman John Peterson at 7:31 p.m. PRESENT: John Peterson, Larilyn Ashlock, Douglas Cohn, Jeff Davis, Mary Dounay (arrived at 7:57 p.m.), Virginia Johnson, Joe Rathburn , Dorothy Totton REGRETS: Al Quaintance ALSO PRESENT: Alex Habenicht (arrived 8:20 p.m.), City Council Representative to the Board, Hank Long, Library Service Manager, Donna Gottberg, Recording Secretary, 2 guests, Kathy Woody and Rob Heck Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. Two unscheduled guests asked to speak, Ms. Kathy Woody, 8th grade teacher at St. Louis School, and Rob Heck, 8th grade student. They wanted to pass along to the Board on behalf of citizens of Englewood their desire to save the Bookmobile by presenting a signed petition and letters to that end. The Board accepted the petition and letters presented tonight, but responded wit h the comment that this presentation would have more impact if presented in person to Council at the September 17th 1991 Budget meeting which is open for public comments. Ms. Woody said she planned to attend the Council meeting. Hank Long, Library Service Manager, gave background to the visitors why he made the recommendation that the Bookmobile be cut. Library Service Manager Report Letters and petitions have come to the Library addressed to the Board. He has answered each letter with a generic response within two days. He read the letter and asked the Board if they wished him to continue in this fashion. Board agreed. Discussion followed. 90-22 MOTION: That the Board gives general approval for Mr. Long to continue - to answer, in the stead of the Board, letters from the public regarding the proposed cut of the Bookmobile from the 1991 Budget. · Moved by Douglas Cohn Seconded by: Jeff Davis Motion carried. Mr. Long displayed a Polaroid camera (we have 20 available) for patron checkout. These reconditioned cameras were presented to the Library from the Polaroid Company, upon the request of Mr. Long, free of charge and are to be checked out to patrons at no cost. Cameras come with instructions and a carrying case, and can be checked out for 7 days. If camera is lost or stolen there is a cha r ge of $60 to the patron, and camera will not be replaced by Polaroid. If camera is damaged Polaro i d will replace or repair at no charge. Mr. Long has written to Apple Computers and asked if there .is a newer model or reconditioned model that they could donate to the Library. He will pass along information as it becomes available. Mr. Long distributed an article on literacy from the Rocky Mountain News (9-6), as requested by Mary Dounay. It was suggested that this would be a good point to bring up at the Sept. 17 Council meeting. Chairman's Report Mr. Peterson spoke on behalf of the Library Board, regarding the elimination of .the Bookmobile, at the Study Session of Council on September 4th. Other Board .members present at this session were Mary Dounay and Larilyn Ashlock. Mr. Peterson plans to speak at the Sept. 17 Budget Hearing. It was decided · that M~. :Peterson alone will speak and present letters and petitions the Board has received. Discussion followed. Chairman's Choice The PLA will hold its 4th Conference in March of 1991 (20-23). He attended the previous conference in Pittsburgh last year and asked if anyone wanted to . attend in 1991. After discussion it was decided that Mr. Peterson would plan attend in March and bring back information. Members' Choice Lar.ilyn Ashlock attended a public hearing on the Cultural Tax that is av.ailafile for the area. It was noted that these funds are only available for music, 'theater, dance, art and science. The Bookmobile would not qualify. She will have more information available at a later date. Dorothy Totton will be unable to attend the CLA meeting in October. Mr. Peterson will make an effort to attend on behalf of the Board, and Mr. Long will. hopefully, be able to attend for the Library. Joe Rathburn noted that on December 8 from 8-10 a.m. there will be a pancake and sausage breakfast served at the Malley Center as a fund raiser. a·: c;~ 1 ... ' Mary Doun.ay said she had been inundated with phone calls, letters and comments regarding the Bookmobile. • . Ms .. Dounay Asked a question that had been put to her:"Why do we spend so much money .on reference librarians?" Mr. Long gave background and a brief synopsis on reference personnel statistics. Discussion followed. Alex Habenicht noted a new Information Specialist is on board. She will be doing public relations work for the City. • • • • Ms. Habenicht asked Mr. Long to explain the difference between a librarian and a reference librarian. Mr. Long broke the two descriptions down for the Board. Discussion followed. Mr. Long noted that the name of the Home Bound services has been changed to Home Services. This presents a more positive image. Jeff Davis suggested we have a Library Newsletter. This could contain descriptions of services and personnel so that patrons could understand more the workings of the Library. Douglas Cohn agreed that public image is very important and a clearer explanation of duties would be helpful for patrons. He suggests altering titles for certain personnel to make their duties more clear . He asks that we listen to the public and present feedback. He suggested a pamphlet for different areas of the Library explaining such things as why do we have computers? Hank Long noted he welcomes any suggestions on helping with public perception. Mary Dounay suggested a flier "Know your Library" giving information regarding the Library and its functions. 90-23 MOTION:That the Board reject the alternative plan for a small vehicle to replace Bookmobile services because of the severe reduction in service vs . cost . Moved by: Jeff Davis Seconded by : Douglas Cohn Discussion followed . Motion carried . There were no committee reports. The Statistical Report for August 1990 was briefly discussed. 90-24 MOTION: That the Minutes of the meeting of August 21, 1990 be accepted as presented . Moved by: Mary Dounay Seconded by : Joe Rathburn Motion carried . Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. septmin