Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-12 PLB MINUTES• • Englewood Public Library 3400 S . Elati St., Englewood, CO 80110 (303)762-2560 es Englewood Public Library Board October 12, 1993 The regular meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chair Larilyn Ashlock at 7:01 p .m. PRESENT: Larilyn Ashlock, Rachel Stoddard (arrived at 7:05), Sunday Aigbe (arrived at 7:06), Carolin Atkins, Marilyn Brenengen (left at 8:15), Doug Cohn, Mary Dounay (left at 7:42), Gloria Ulrich ( left at 7:42), Valerie Williams, Jennifer Wolgemuth, Youth Representative REGRETS: Alex Habenicht, Council Representative to the Board ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long , Library Director, Donna Gottberg, Recording Secretary Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. There were no scheduled or unscheduled visitors. 93-21 MOTION: That the Minutes from the meeting of September 14, 1993 be accepted as presented. Moved by Mary Dounay ·Seconded by Carolin Atkins Motion carried . It was the Board's decision to put Members' Choice first on the Agenda this evening due to the fa c t that several members wanted to attend another meeting regarding the combining of services of emergency dispatch . Ms . Dounay did not attend the City Budget Retreat , but at a combined School Board/City Council last evening she heard a remark that she wanted to bring before the Board and get clarification from Direct r Long. The Council member reiateli to M-s. Oounay t t r. Long was offered $35,099 t-o ep h 800 Obile running r. to sea the amouol. Director Long replied with background on his presentation to Council at the Budget Retreat along with the displays presented at that meeting. It was stated at the Retreat, by a Council member, what would happen IF the Board would return 5% back to the Library? Would he continue to keep the Bookmobile? Mr. Long asked if it would be given with no strings attached, and If so he might not use it for the Bookmobile. He would have to look at the total picture and decide where the funds would be most needed. He said that whatever decision was reached would first b e discussed with the Board. Chairman Ashlock attended the Budget Retreat and agreed that Mr. Long did indeed make this statement, but did not refuse to take approximately $35,000 for the Bookmobile, which was not offered IN FACT. The offer further mentioned that the 5% could be used at the discretion of the Director. Mr. Long would have come to the Board for a final decision on spending the funds, had they been given. Ms. Dounay stated that Council is now saying that if Mr. Long had accepted the 5% Council would have approved it, and a heated discussion followed. Ms. Dou nay felt obligated to bring these remarks before Mr. Long and the Board. Board members expressed a desire for a further clarification, but nothing was decided as to how to attain this information. It was further stated at the School Board/Council meeting that if the schoools did not ·charge· for use of their facilities, those funds could have saved the Bookmobile. Ms. Dounay explained that the ·charges· to • the City are only out-of-pocket expenses for electricity, custodial, etc. The schools make no money from these services. The schools cannot afford to pay these expenses from their funds, thus the City is invoiced, under contract for these out-of-pocket expenses. Ms. Dounay stated that Ms. Hathaway and Mr. Wiggins seemed to be the main participants in this Bookmobile discussion. Ms. Williams wanted the library to know about and see a display of new stamps being issued by the Post Office for literacy and promotion of reading. Most libraries will receive a poster of these new stamps. If EPL does not receive one, she will try to get one for display. She def erred a report from the Colorado Library Association Annual Conference due to the lengthy discussion earlier. She and Ms. Ulrich plan to give a report at the November meeting. Ms. Williams did state that she attended many worthwhile workshops and found it very. rewarding. She thanks the Board for giving her the opportunity to attend. Ms. Stoddard announced she has been approached by the principal of Cherrelyn School, who is constructing a letter having parents contact their Council representatives stating they want the Bookmobile to continue to run. Ms. Stoddard further suggested the idea to have the Bookmobile taken • • • over by the City and promote as a business. She offered this suggestion only ·as something to think about.· She has always felt it would be better to close the main library on certain days and keep the Bookmobile servicing the children and area stops. Mr. Long noted that at public hearings, retreats, forums etc. there is very little participation by community members. If the public does not come forth at those events it shows little support or caring for what is going on in the government. At the ·Englewood, Something to Talk Abour meetings he attended, he heard over and over, don't cut, don't cut, but funds only just go so far. He knows and has told Council, after these personnel cuts and the Bookmobile there is no other place to cut in the Library Services area. Ms. Stoddard wanted to go on record that the Board did everything possible to save the Bookmobile. Mr. Cohn stated that the Board prioritized earlier in the year where cuts needed to be made, if it came to the full cut as outlined by the City Manager. The Board wanted the main library le1t 1s. and it as their feel in hat the Bookmobile was the only thing le o cut. Ms . Wolgemuth wants to keep the Bookmobile, and we must keep it in the eye of Council as an important issue. Discussion continued . Ms. Williams interjected that it will be a great loss to the area schools, not having the Bookmobile. but the whole area will suffer in some way . The collection has been suffering for years due to inflation and the main facility should be kept up over any extension facilities . Mr. Aigbe said he felt the Bookmobile was a political issue. We must work with what we have. What do we accomplish by discussing the Bookmobile month after month. The funding is not there . Mr. Long said it was a very emotional issue to the community. Ms. Ashlock stat d h a t we as a B.oar d , can dvise Mr. Long on issues. We have nothing to gain by pounding away on an issue. If the public does not back us on issues we can go no fu er. Mr. Long-again stated that use on the Bookmobile is down, showing the loss of public use. He would run the Bookmobile if funds were available with-out hurting e m in facility. Re is mana li ng h e esources as best he can . Mr. Aigbe did not feel anything would be accomplished by continuing the discussion . Mr. Long said that any Board member or citizen can ask questions of Council. He wants to get on with making Englewood Public Library the best library possible with funds that are available. Ms. Atkins announced she is proud of the Library and proud of Mr. Long's ability to guide it. Mary Lou Tatum, Programs Librarian, has aslced that we not have a Battle of the Boots program this year. The teachers in the area are unable to fit this in their full schedule, and she must have their help in promoting it. It will not be permanently out, but Ms. Tatum has other ideas and feels it would be good to have a brealc, for maybe a year. Mr. Cohn mentioned that the schools do have reading competitions in the schools. Battle of the Boots is a popular program and the children really get excited over it, but the teachers have so much to do these days, it is not realistic for them to add to their schedule. Board agreed with Ms. Tatum's suggestion. Director Long thanked the Board for his nomination as Librarian of the Year. Mr. Long sent information in your packet regarding the Literacy Program . The Englewood Public Schools are the •fire' behind this program . He noted that Westminster Library has an excellent literacy program. Success stories are fantastic, but the dropout ratio is still great. Discussion followed. Ms . Williams has brochures on literacy she picked up at the CLA conference . Resources are available. Mr. Long announced that the Library has 2 copies of the Englewood History Boole. Two more are on order. No Chair report, but Ms. Ashlock did give Mr. Long an article on the Budget from the Denver Post. The Statistical Report for September was briefly discussed, noting that circulation continues to increase. The Board thanked Ms. Ashlock for refreshments this evening. Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p .m. 10/13/93 dg • •