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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-10 PLB MINUTES• • • Call To Order/Roll Call 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-783-6890 FAX M in u tes Englewood Public Library Board February 10, 2009 Library Board Chair, Mark Adams at 7 :00 p.m, called the meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board to order. PRESENT: Mark Adams, Trish Elley, Julie Grazulis , Tom Kruk, Megan Nordlander, Karen Pilgrim, Yvonne Russell , Youth Member Nathaniel Barragan, and Council Member, Randy Penn. ABSENT: Margaret Freeman (e x cused), lain Lumsden (excused), and School Board Member, Shelley Thompson (e x cused). Also Present: Hank Long , Library Director and Joan Clayton , Recording Secretary . 09 -05: That the minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2009 be approved as written . Moved by: Yvonne Russell Seconded by: Megan Nordlander The Motion passed . Mr. Long reported that th e next Friends of the Library travel program , "The Old Man and The Harley'' wou ld be at 7p .m . on Wednesday, February 25 in the Community Room . The next meeting of the Friends will be on April 1 at which time plans will be fina lized for the Spring Book Sa le on Apr il 9, 10 & 11 . Mr. Adams asked that everyone take a few minutes to look at the statistical reports for December, 2008 which had been in this evening's packet and the report for January, 2009 which was handed out at the beginning of tonight's meting . It was noted that statistics for Internet use continue to increase. There was much interest in the statistics for the Job Kiosk; primarily the increase from January 2008 to January 2009 . The number of users doubled in this time frame. It was stated that we will probably see the numbers of users increase in the coming months. This led to a discussion of job applications being filed on line , the number of users waiting for 2 hour computers to complete applications, patrons who are unfamiliar with how to use a computer, etc. The question of having computer classes was raised and discussed. Classes have not been held for the past 3 years . The problem is staff time or finding qualified volunteers, plus the Malley Senior Center has a computer lab that they use to teach beginning classes . It was noted the Tutor Vista use was up slightly. Posters have been sent to the schools reminding them of this service. The Teen Blog is now up and running at http ://eplcoolcafe .wordpress.com. Ms. Nordlander said she had seen an article in the current Rocky Mountain news about the blog site. Those who had attended the ALA Mid Winter conference were very enthusiastic. There was a lot to see and absorb lots of technology, furniture, books, and anything you could imagine! In talking about the technology vendors at the conference discussion followed about the Kindle machine as a reader of -1 - materials in the library. Mr. Adams said that when the Five Year Planning Committee had been meeting e- books had been discussed and now the technology has moved on beyond what was discussed then for • the future. Many times the cost of the technology must be weighed with the need for access to the "newest" technology. There is a fine line as to where and when to jump on the newest craze . Ms . Elley said that ADA concerns need to be considered when new technology is being suggested. A long and interesting discussion about how the world of delivering information is changing followed. The Board felt that they have a different sense of what the Library is about since coming on the Board and having these discussions and now having attended a Library association conference and seeing how much there is offered out there . Mr. Adams said he was very pleased that Ms. Russell and Ms. Pilgrim had been re-appointed to serve on the Board for another four years. He thanked both for giving their time to the Board . He also thanked Mr. Long for getting the tickets to the Mid Winter conference for the Board. Mr. Adams also congratulated Mr. Barragan for being selected to go to Washington, D.C. next month with City Council. Mr. Kruk said he wanted to know if it was feasible to add more electrical outlets in the Library. Mr. Long said that he has been looking in to this as a result of a Council Request and will report back to the Board once we have the information. The next topic brought up for discussion involved the recent patron comment forms which seem to be mostly about the internet terminals and the self reservation system . Mr. Adams reminded the Board that the 2 - 3 complaints out of 6,000 -7,000 users per month is relatively insignificant. The question was raised about signage and how to make the information more accessible and proactive . After much discussion it was decided that those present would send suggestions for signage and wording of signs to Mr. Long or Ms. Clayton before next month's meeting so they can be discussed at that time . Members Choice Mr. Adams said that since last month's meeting he had completed a half -marathon. He asked those present to please take the time to read all the materials that are handed out at the meeting. He said that when he had taken time to read the materials handed out at last month's meeting he had a greater appreciation for the discussion which had taken place at tonight's meeting . So please take the time to read tonight's handouts before the next meeting. Ms. Pilgrim said she had finished reading "Time Machine" as part of the Junior Great Books Program . Her book club has just finished reading "The Tale of Edgar Sawtelle", which she personally had enjoyed. Ms . Russell said she didn't have anything to add but thanks for listening! Mr. Kruk said he was recently at a customer 's house in Windsor and ended up bringing home a new puppy! The puppy is a year old pure bred beagle named, Thumper. He added that he had a friend from high school who has a book being published about the friend 's experiences as an undercover agent exposing the Hell's Angels . Mr. Penn congratulated Mr. Barragan and Mr. Kruk's daughter, Tina on their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. He said that he would not be at the March Library Board meeting. The City's 2008 Budget came in almost balanced. He noted several events that will be taking place sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce : Feb. 24 in Hampden Hall at 7:30 - 9 a.m.; economist, Patti Silverstein will be speaking; on Mar. 24 at 7:30 a.m. in the library the Women in Business will present a talk on small businesses; and on Mar. 31 the Chamber will hold it's Gala with a Hawaiian theme. • Ms. Grazulis said that her daughter, Kendra is expecting her first child the first week in Aug. so Ms. Grazulis said she would probably miss the Aug. meeting! She is working in the computer lab at Carl Sandburg Elementary school twice a week and is interested to see the younger students helping the older students on the computers . She also said that several years ago she had come to the Friends Book Sale • - 2 - materials in the library. Mr. Adams said that when the Five Year Planning Committee had been meeting e- books had been discussed and now the technology has moved on beyond what was discussed then for the future. Many times the cost of the technology must be weighed with the need for access to the "newest" technology. There is a fine line as to where and when to jump on the newest craze. Ms . Elley said that ADA concerns need to be considered when new technology is being suggested . A long and interesting discussion about how the world of delivering information is changing followed . The Board felt that they have a different sense of what the Library is about since coming on the Board and having these discussions and now having attended a Library association conference and seeing how much there is offered out there. Mr. Adams said he was very pleased that Ms . Russell and Ms. Pilgrim had been re-appointed to serve on the Board for another four years. He thanked both for giving their time to the Board. He also thanked Mr. Long for getting the tickets to the Mid Winter conference for the Board. Mr. Adams also congratulated Mr . Barragan for being selected to go to Washington, D.C. next month with City Council. Mr. Kruk said he wanted to know if it was feasible to add more electrical outlets in the Library. Mr. Long said that he has been looking in to this as a result of a Council Request and will report back to the Board once we have the information . The next topic brought up for discussion involved the recent patron comment forms which seem to be mostly about the internet terminals and the self reservation system. Mr. Adams reminded the Board that the 2 -3 complaints out of 6,000 -7,000 users per month is relatively insignificant. The question was raised about signage and how to make the information more accessible and proactive . After much discussion it was decided that those present would send suggestions for signage and wording of signs to Mr. Long or Ms. Clayton before next month's meeting so they can be discussed at that time. Members Choice Mr. Adams said that since last month's meeting he had completed a half -marathon. He asked those present to please take the time to read all the materials that are handed out at the meeting. He said that when he had taken time to read the materials handed out at last month's meeting he had a greater appreciation for the discussion which had taken place at tonight's meeting. So please take the time to read tonight's handouts before the next meeting. Ms. Pilgrim said she had finished reading "Time Machine" as part of the Junior Great Books Program. Her book club has just finished reading 'The Tale of Edgar Sawtelle", which she personally had enjoyed. Ms. Russell said she didn't have anything to add but thanks for listening! Mr. Kruk said he was recently at a customer's house in Windsor and ended up bringing home a new puppy! The puppy is a year old pure bred beagle named, Thumper. He added that he had a friend from high school who has a book being published about the friend's experiences as an undercover agent exposing the Hell's Angels. Mr. Penn congratulated Mr. Barragan and Mr. Kruk's daughter, Tina on their upcoming trip to Washington, D .C. He said that he would not be at the March Library Board meeting. The City's 2008 Budget came in almost balanced . He noted several events that will be taking place sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce: Feb . 24 in Hampden Hall at 7 :30 -9 a.m.; economist, Patti Silverstein will be speaking; on Mar . 24 at 7 :30 a.m. in the library the Women in Business will present a talk on small businesses; and on Mar . 31 the Chamber will hold it's Gala with a Hawaiian theme . Ms. Grazulis said that her daughter, Kendra is expecting her first child the first week in Aug. so Ms. Grazulis said she would probably miss the Aug. meeting! She is working in the computer lab at Carl Sandburg Elementary school twice a week and is interested to see the younger students helping the older students on the computers. She also said that several years ago she had come to the Friends Book Sale -2 - • • • and gotten many books which are now being sent to Northern Uganda as part of an Eagle Project being done by a young man from her church . The books will be given to young g irls in particular. Mr. Barragan said he is very ex cited about going to Washington, D.C . next month . He said that he had just finished reading "The Sun Also Rises" in English class , a very interesting book . Ms . Clayton said that there will be 61 authors at this year 's Open House in April. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m . - 3 -