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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-11 PLB MINUTES.'11'1 l!J :: i ;!i~ :J1 ;p !H 11! g;tl: ,111; llij,j i'i:1 .,1 :11 Eng 1 e wood Pub 1 i c Li bra r y \i!!i! 3400 S . Elati St ., Englew ood, CO 80110 (303)762 -2560 i!l:;: ~---------~·;ii ;. ,.-. 1·: Revised Minutes Englewood Public Library Board October 11, 1994 CALL TO ORDER/BOLL CALL The regular meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson Marilyn Brenengen at 7:07 p.m. PRESENT : M. Brenengen ; V. Williams (left at 8:55); M. Dounay ; M. Giffin ; R. Stoddard (left at 9:16); A. Leonard; S. Aigbe (arrived 7:19); Council Member A. Habenicht -EGRETS : C. Atkins ALSO PRESENT : Hank Long , Library Director; Joan Clayton , Recording Secretary; and Assistant City Manager , Chuck Reid (guest speaker). Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED YIS!TOBS Chairperson Brenengen introduced Assistant City Manager, Chuck Reid who had been invited to talk to the Board about the changing demographics of Englewood . Mr . Reid gave handouts to the Board showing comparisons of simila r sized communities in the metro area. The data was based on the 1990 census . Using these f igures Mr . Rei d pointed out that the perception of Englewood as an "old" community and mostly rentals is changing , i.e . the statistics showed the median age for Englewood to be 33 .5 years, yet the over 65 age group still represents 15. 9% of the population , higher than other cities of comparable size. Other interesting statistics shared with the group were that out of 14,808 housing units in the city, around 5,600 are multi-family units ; 1/3 of the 14 ,808 are people living alone . A question and answer session followed . The Board thanked Mr. Reid for coming and providing the demographic information necessary for them to go forward into the five year planning process . 94 -19 Motion: That the Minutes from the Library Board Meeting of September 13, 1994 be approved as written. ~oved by : Rachel Stoddard •econded by : Mary Dounay The Mot ion carried . -1 - OLD BUSINESS -Ms . Brenengen and Mr. Long reported on the "Friends of the Library" Steering Committee . At the first meeting , on September 21, there was a very small turnout; however , a second meeting will be held Thursday , October 13 at the Library at 7 a. m. with more people expected . There was discussion about how to get more names for contact with people who are not as over committed as the those on the original lists . Ms . Dounay gave a report on the "Save The Bookmobile" Committee enumerating the many activities planned , already held and ongoing . The parents group at Sinclair Middle School has pledged $700 to the "Save the Bookmobile " drive, and the group is hoping for similar pledges from other schools . There is currently a display in t he Library of Bookmobile memorabilia arranged by Ms. Leonard and her family . Ms . Dounay and Ms. Leonard showed a copy of "Vanishing Colorado ," a Rocky Mmmtajn News book being sold to benefit the Bookmobile fund . The pins to be sold for the Bookmobile are unavailable at this time . Mr . Long stated that Circulation staff member Jean Wilson has volunteered to drive the Bookmobile in the upcoming Holiday Parade , November 5. Ms . Stoddard asked for clarification of the staffing of the Bookmobile should it be put bac k into service . Ms . Dounay felt this was stated in the agreement signed by the Board and the Save the Boo kmob ile Committee . Further discussion took place . Mr . Long reported that the Open Houses for Teachers which wer~ a great success . Mary Lou Tatum has had numerous requests for tours of the library as wells as for programs in the schools . All feedback from participants has been positive, with staff and teachers alike hoping to do it again next year . Mr . Long is now in the process of setting up an Open House for the Sheridan elementary and middle schools . The next item of old business was planning for the Staff Appreciation dinner . Ms . Giffin wanted the invi t ation to reflect that this is a dinner for the staff . Mr. Long said he would let the staff know this . A sheet was passed -round for sign up to ~ring food . Mr. Long will provide tablecloths , cutlery , beverages , and he will also do a ce rtificate of appreciation . NEW BUSINESS: Ms . Brenengen read a thank you note from Donna Gottberg expressing her appreciation to the Board for her recognition of service as recording secretary for the past 13 years. Ms . Brenengen also spoke to the Board regarding expressing personal opinions to and in public by Board members. · Her suggestion was that with limited funds , we need to look at the entire library and not just one part , i.e . the Bookmobile . She also stated that we need to attack problems and not people , since we all have the same goals in mind but differen t ways to re ac h th e m. Ms . Dounay expressed her opinion as , "no one on the Bookmobile Committee is doing this for self-serving purposes . It 's to get books back in children 's hands ." She also pointed out that she has been involved in the T eacher Open House programs , the Banned Books program , and has written letters of support for library grants to show that she is interested in the entire library . She expressed that she resents being looked on as not being a staunch supporter of the full library, since it was her idea for the Staff Appreciation Dinner . Ms . Stoddard asked that the minutes include her statement that , "I wish the Bookmobile Committee much luck in raising money to operate the bookmobile , but my personal feeling is that I would like to see the bookmobil e sold and the money put toward a new library." Ms . Williams stated that she is tired of beating a dead horse and would like to see the Board move forward past .he bookmobile issue. Ms . Leonard said she would like to see a moratorium on letter writing in the Herald . - 2 - Ms . Giffin noted that there are many times that there are no monies for school libraries , and the Bookmobile provided things that the schools and students couldn 't otherwise get. She also mentioned that since schools are ~valved in resource sharing throughout the state, libraries should do likewise . Finally, she said that people .ve the right to express their opinions . There followed a period of discussion by Board members regarding different sides of the Bookmobile issue . Finally , Mr. Long brought the meeting back to the need for planning for the future. He proposed a course whereby the Board would proceed with the 'EPL 2000 " planning process , recognizing that the Bookmobile is not currently a part of the Library's budget , while at the same time recognizing the efforts made by those community members to raise funds to restore that service at some future point . He suggested that we take this "p arallel track " in order for everyone involved to work together and to put the emotional issues and charges to rest . The Board accepted this recommendation . Mr . Long reminded the Board that Gordon Barhydt, the Director of Central Colorado Library System will be at the November meeting to help start the five year planning process . The Board was asked to think of goals for the next five years both with and without the bookmobile as part of the library plan . As part of the Director's report , Mr. Long passed out a memo explaining the Library staff va c ancies , given the current City -wide hiring freeze and a desired 5% budget savings for all city departments . (see attached memo) It was ask ed if the shortages in staff could be filled by volunteers . Mr. Long replied that this might be poss ible i n some ins t ances, and discussion followed . Board Members were reminded about the upcoming CLA conference to be held November 4 - 7 in Keystone . If anyone is interested in going please let Donna/Joan know . Ms . Habenicht noted that this would be very helpful for the Board going into the five year planning process . ....l.lnder Member 's Choice : Ms . Brenengen thanked the Board for their indulgence in letting her express her •ews . Ms. Habenicht offered the Board an opportunity to pu rchase tickets to the upcoming play, "Blith e Spirit " sponsored by ACT Englewood Ms. Dounay reported that a group of citizens against Amendment 12 will be meeting October 30 to hand out flyers, and she invited any who wanted to participate to come to the park ing lot by the Chamber of Commerce in Cinderella City. MONTHLY REPORTS: Given the length of the meeting , it was decided to leave the monthly reports until next month's meeting . ADJOURNMENT The Board thanked Ms . Habenicht for providing the refreshments . The meeting was adjourned at 9 :50 p.m. 10 21 94 jc . 3 . • • Englewood Public Library 3400 S . Elati St ., Englewood, CO 80110 (303)762-2560 mutes Englewood Public Library Board October 11. 1994 The regular meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chair Marilyn Brenengen at 7:07p. m. PRESENT: M. Brenengen. V. Williams(left at 8:55). M. Dounay. M. Giffin. R. Stoddard (left at 9:16 p.m.). A. Leonard. S. Aigbe (arrived 7:19 p.m.). Council Member A. Habenicht REGRETS: C. Attins ALSO PRESENT: Hant Long. Library Director. Joan Clayton. Recording Secretary. and guest Assistant City Manager. Chu ct Reid. Roll call was taten and a quorum declared present. Chairperson Brenengen introduced Assistant City Manager. Chuct Reid who had been invited to talt to the Board about the changing demographics of Englewood. Mr. Reid had handouts for the Board showing comparisons of similar sized communities in the metro area. The figures were based on the 1990 census. Using these figures Mr. Reid pointed out that the perception of Englewood as an ·01c:r community ~nd mostly rentals is changing. as the figures showed the median age for Englewood to be 33. 5 years. yet the over 65 age SJ'OUp still represents 15. 9% of the population which is higher than other cities of comparable size. Some interesting statistics shared with the SJ'OUp were that out of 14.808 housing units in the city around 5600 are multi -family units: 1/3 of the 14.808 are people living alone. A question and answer session followed. The Board thanted Mr_ Reid for coming and providing the demo!J'aphic information necessary for them to go forward into the five - year planning process. 94 -19 Motion: That the Minutes from the Library Board Meeting of September 13. 1994 be approved as written. Moved by: Rachel Stoddard Seconded by: Mary Dounay The Motion carried. Ms. Brenegen and Mr. Long reported on the Friends of the Library Steering Committee. At the first meeting, Sept. 21 there was a very small turnout, however a second meeting will be held Thurs., Oct. 13 at the Library at 7 a. m. with more ·people expected. THere was discussion about how to get more names for contact with people who are not as over committed as the names on the original lists. Ms. Dounay gave a report on the Save The Bookmobile Committee enumerating the many activities planned, already held and on going. The parent group at Sinclair Middle School has pledged $700 to the Save the Bookmobile and the group is hoping for similar pledges from other schools. There is currently a display in the Library of Bookmobile memorabilia arranged by Ms. Leonard and her family. Ms. Dounay and Ms. Leonard showed a copy of a boot being sold , • Vanishing Colorado"· to benefit the Bookmobile Fund. The pins to be sold for the Bookmobile are unavailable at this time. Mr. Long stated that Jean Wilson, circulation/bookmobile «iver has volunteered to «ive the Bookmobile in the Holiday Parade, November 5. Ms. Stoddard asked for clarification of the staffing of the Bookmobile should it be put back into service. Ms. Dounay felt this was stated in the agreement signed by the Board and the Save the Bookmobile Committee. Further discussion toot place. Mr. Long reported on the Open Houses for Teachers which were a great success. Mary Lou Tatum has had numerous requests for tours of the library as wells as programs in the schools. All feedback from participants has been positive, staff and teachers alike, leading to the wish to do it again. Mr. Long is now in the process of setting up an Open House for the Sheridan schools, elementary and middle schools. Next item of old business was planning for the Staff Appreciation dinner. Ms. Giffin wanted the invitation to reflect that this is a dinner for the staff. Mr. Long said he would let the s1aff know this. A sign up sheet was passed around for sign up to bring food. Mr. Long will provide tablecloths, cutlery. beverages and he will also do a certificate of appreciation. Under new b~siness, Ms. Brenengen read a thank you note from Donna Gottberg expressing her appreciation to the Board for her recognition of service as recording secretary for the past 13 years. Ms. Brenengen also spoke to the Board on a personal level regarding expressing personal opinions to and in public by Board members. Discussion followed. During the discussion Ms. Stoddard asked that the minutes include her • statement that, "I wish the Bookmobile Committee much luck in raising • money to operate the bookmobile but her personal feeling is that she would like to see the bookmobile sold and the money put toward a new library.· Ms. Williams stated that she is tired of beating a dead horse and would like to see the Board move forward past the bookmobile issue. •• • There followed a period of discussion by Board members regarding different sides of the Bookmobile issue. Finally, Mr. long brought the meeting back to the issue of planning for the future. He proposed a course whereby the Board would proceed with the "EPL 2000· planning process.recognizing that the Bookmobile is not currently a part of the Library's budget, while at the same time recognizing the efforts made by those community members to raise funds to restore that service at some future point. He suggested that we take this •parallel tract• in order for everyone involved to wort together and to put the emotional issues and charges · to rest. The Board accepted this recommendation. Mr. long reminded the Board that Gordon Barhydt, the Director of Central Colorado library System will be at the November meeting to help start the five year planning process. The Board was asked to think of goals for the next five years both with and without the bookmobile as part of the library plan. As part of the Director's report Mr. long passed out a memo explaining the new staffing of the Library under the current city -wide hiring freeze and a projected 5% cut in budget for all city departments. (see attached memo) It was asked if the shortages in staff could be filled by volunteers . Mr. Long replied that this was possible in some instances and discussion followed. Board Members were reminded about the upcomin·g CLA conference to be held Nov. 4 - 7 in Keystone. If anyone is interested in going please let Donna/Joan know. Ms. Habenicht noted that this would be very helpful for the Board going into the five year planning process. Under Member's Choice: Ms. Brenengen thanked the Board for their indulgence in letting her express her views. Ms. Leonard said she would lite to see a moratorium on letter writing in the Herald. Ms. Habenicht offered the Board an opportunity to purchase tickets to the upcoming play. "Blithe Spirit". Sponsored by ACT Englewood. Ms. Dounay reported that a g-oup of citizens against Amendment 12 will be meeting Oct. 30 to hand out flyers and she invited any who wanted to participate to come to the parting lot by the Chamber of Commerce in Cinderella City. The Board thanked Ms. Habenicht for providing the refreshments. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. • 10 21 94 jc