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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-08 PLB MINUTESEnglewood Public Library 3400 S . Elati St, Englewood, CO 80110 (303)762-2560 Call To Order/Roll Call Minutes Englewood Public Library Board April 8, 1997 The regular meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson , Mary Dounay at 7:04 .m. PRESENT: M . Dounay, R. Greiner, M . Giffin , Marge Schwindt , S. O'Leary, S. Smithers , S. Ostema , B. Williams , Summer Witt , M. Heberling , and Council Member Alex Habenicht. REGRETS : A. Leonard . ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long, Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary. Old Business Prior to approval of the minutes from t he March 11 meeting Ms. Ostema noted that she had some changes she would like in the minutes . These changes were read and discussed. 97 - 9 Motion: That the Minutes of the Library Board Meeting of March 11 , 1997 be approved as amended with the following corrections ; on page 2, paragraph 3 , after the bold face type strike sentence beginning, "Many extraneous .. " be deleted and say," Discussion ensued." on page 3 , middle of paragraph concerning Ms. Ostema's discussion with the State Library , sentence beginning, "Ms. Ostema said in her discussions ... ", replace with "Ms. Ostema stated that according to her conversation with the State Library, there is a gap between the role of a Board member in a capacity of Advisory as opposed to the role of the Board in a capacity of Decision maker." on page 4 , 5th paragraph , 3rd sentence from the end of the paragraph , change to read , " Ms. Ostema said she was being shut down when asking questions." Moved by: Margaret Giffin Seconded by: Shannon O'Leary The Motion passed. Page 2 Ms. Smithers reported for the Friends of the Library; a Bake Sale will be held Friday, April 25 & Saturday, April 26. All present are invited to come and help, bake, sell and buy. Ms. Williams reported on the 3rd Big Book Sale to be held by the Friends Saturday, June 7 and Sunday , June 8. A sample poster was shown advertising the need for donations of books for the sale. Notices to that effect have been sent to the media. Ms. Williams mentioned the need for a volunteer to help coordinate 4 local authors to come to the Book Sale and sign books. Ms. Habenicht mentioned that she knew of a local author who has published a book about Glenwood Canyon. Ms. Ostema reported for the Book Discussion group. The next book for discussion will be "Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans. Posters will be made to advertise this group as well as the noon time discussion group on April 22, where the book "Higher Authority" by Stephen White will be discussed with the author. Ms. Dounay mentioned she had recently seen Oprah 's Book Club on television and wondering about the possibility of doing Oprah's books. The Save the Bookmobile Committee has had no meetings to report. Ms. Habenicht reported for the Cultural Arts Commission. The commission recently had 2 members resign so new members are needed. The group has met with a facilitator hired by the City to help the group move forward. Ms. Giffin reported on the plans for the upcoming Staff Appreciation Dinner. Ms. O'Leary said she had a donation from Tattered Cover Book Store of a $25 gift certificate to be used at the dinner. A new committee comprised of Ms. Smithers, Ms. Greiner and Mr. Heberling recently met to discuss ways in which to promote the Library in the community. One way in which to promote the Library is by manning a table at the City's Tent Talks scheduled over the next few months to be held through out the city. A sign up sheet was passed around for those to sign if they could help. Mr. Long as director of the Library will be at the Tent Talks. The feeling of those present was that it is important for another "Library" presence to be there also. An additional way to promote the Library is by appearing at an information table at the Concerts in the Park which are held throughout the summer over at the Little Dry Creek Plaza. A sign up sheet for these evening events was also passed out. Ms. Greiner has volunteered to chair a committee to plan an Open House I Grand Re- opening for September, after the Library's remodeling project has been completed. Ideas were discussed . Ms. Greiner said she would like to showcase local community Page 3 talents. Ms. Greiner asked for other Board Member's help . Ms . Smithers and Ms. Witt said that they would be willing to help. Ms. Greiner will also ask for Staff help and help from the Friends and Save the Bookmobile Committee. Mr. Heberling asked about the idea of a balloon launch to kick off the Summer Reading Program. It was suggested that he contact Ms. Tatum . In looking at the Library Board Budget report it was suggested that the Library Board contribute money toward the expense of the Grand Re-opening I Open House as well as asking other groups to contribute. 97 -11 Motion: That $50 be given by the Library Board toward the expenses for the Grand Re-opening/ Open House from the Library Board's 1997 Budget. Moved by: Margaret Giffin Seconded by: Sonie Smithers The Motion passed. It was noted that staff is still working on how to count computer usage so computer use on the monthly statistic report is not complete. With t he advent off the Windows 95 program tracking of computer usage has become problematic. Discussion followed about sign ups for Internet use . This seems to be working well. It was asked if the Book Discussion group is counted in the Program Services statistics. It was noted that yes these were added to the Program Services statistics. Mr. Long reported that the contract for the Coffee Cart serv ice has been signed by Mr. Hurley. Next is for the contract to proceed to City Council as an ordinance; first reading to be Monday, April 21 and second reading on Mon., May 5 . Once the ordinance has passed the second reading then service can be initiated. Ms. Ostema suggested that the approval by the Library Board of this vendor be communicated to City Council. Ms . Giffin suggested Mr. Long draft a memo to City Council stating that a vote of support was taken at the Library Board 's March 11 meeting . Mr. Long said that at the last City Council study session approval was given to proceed with the remodel of the Library. Mr. Long outlined and explained the remodel plans ; listing replacement of the current ceiling tiles and grids , replacement of the curre nt HVAC system , installation of sprinklers , new lights throughout the public area , replacement of the outside concrete ramps and interior painting of the Library. The Bid Opening for the remodel w i ll take place at 2 p.m . on Wed., April 23rd. A bid will be selected and forwarded to City Council for selection of the contractor to do the project. Questions were raised by Ms. Ostema regarding the costs of the remodeling project. Mr. Long explained that the costs were to be covered by money from the 5 year Capital Fund and from the Public Improvement Fund . Ms. Habenicht addressed questions regarding Public Improvement Funds and where these funds came from . A discuss ion followed. Page 4 Mr. Long said that the Kids Komputers had been restored to the Children 's area . 4 computers with 40 educational programs have been put out. It was suggested that a list of these educational programs that may be accessed here through the Kids Komputers be publicized . Ms. Ostema asked about filters on the Internet. A discussion followed surrounding how to chose what to block from view on the Internet. This is an issue of concern throughout the country not just here at this Library. The Supreme Court is addressing this issue currently. 97-12 Motion: That on a quarterly basis, as an Agenda item, the concerns of Internet access be discussed. Moved by : Sand i Ostema Seconded by : Margaret Giffin The Motion passed. Ms . Dounay asked if there was interest among the Board in attending the conference on Public Library Trustee training to be held in September sponsored by the Colorado State Library . The dates are ; September 22 -23 . Ms. Giffin , Ms. Ostema, Ms. Williams , Ms. Witt , Mr. Heberling , Ms. Smithers and Ms. Habenicht indicated they would be interested in attending. The cost is $15 per person. Mr. Long brought forward for discussion an ordinance prepared by City Attorney Brotzman concerning clarification of Municipal Code language regarding the Library Board . Discussion followed. 97-13 Motion: That discussion of the Clarification of the Municipal Code language regarding the Library Board be tabled at this time. Moved by : Sandi Ostema Seconded by : Bervette Williams The Motion passed. Mr. Long next addressed the Disruptive Behavior Policy and asked for any changes . Changes were noted regarding bringing food into the Library . 97-14 Motion: That the Disruptive Behavior Policy be approved as amended. Moved by: Bervette Williams Seconded by: Margaret Giffin The Motion passed . Other policies will be reviewed at future meetings. Once the policies have been approved by the Board they will be put into policy manuals kept at each service desk .. page 5 and in the Department's Administrative area. The Disrupt ive Behavior Policy will be posted in the public area. Mr. Long referred to the 1998 Budget Calendar included in the packets for this meeting . Mr. Long will be preparing 5 year capital requests this week . One item under consideration for request is replacement of end panels on the shelving units throughout the Library. Discussion followed . Another item would be the replacement of the lower 2 shelves in each shelving unit with slant type shelves for ease of patron browsing and staff placement. Mr. Long will be looking into the costs of these 2 items. Member's Choice Ms. Greiner thanked Mr. Long for the articles he had included in the packets for the meeting as well as the Quick Pies for books in the Library. She is recycling these articles by passing them on to others. Ms. Witt mentioned that the Englewood High School will be holding a Springfest Carnival on Saturday, April 26 , all present were invited to attend. There will be entertainment for all ages from 11 - 4 p.m. Mr. Heberling will be participating in the Odyssey of the Mind state competition on Saturday , April 26. Congratulations to he and his team were expressed. Ms. Giffin mentioned that the weekend of April 25 -26 is the Rocky Mountain Children 's Book Festival. She also mentioned that today , April 8 would have been her mother's 1 OOth birthday. Ms. Williams invited everyone to attend the Littleton Symphony's performance on Friday , April 25 . Ms. Ostema passed out 2 items for the Board Members to read (attached): a copy of a letter she had previously written to Ms. Dounay and a letter to the Lib rary Board Members . She stated her reasons for the previous month 's meeting concerns surrounding the role of the Library Board. Ms . Ostema also asked for open mindedness from the other Board Members . Ms. Ostema then left the meeting. Ms. Habenicht said her household is busy planning a wedding for September, 1997 . She said it is a very interesting process! Ms. Dounay related that the site visit for Flood Middle School had gone very well and news would be forthcoming in May if the school had indeed received Blue Ribbon Distinction . Ms . Greiner commented on the positive feedback she had received from her daughters regarding the National Library Week flyers . One daughter had suggested offering free Page 6 banana bread. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. 4/97 jc To library Board: Sandra Y. Ostema 2843 S. Grant St. Englewood, Co 80110 /\pril 8, 1997 I spent numerous hours saving the Bookmobile in 1994 and 1995. I would like to see that any future decisions regarding the Bookmobile be made by the Board as opposed to arbitrary decisions made by the Library Director. The acrimony created by the act i ons of the library Director in arbitrarily removing the Bookmobile from service could have been negated. Perhaps the library Board should have taken the approach of working togethe: to find the necessary budget cuts. Th e entire l ibrary Board was sp 1 it and a few members left the Board because of the acrimony created regarding th e Bookmobile. Debbie Stern for one, Mari 1y n Branigan for another. As Chairperson of the library Board, Ms. Branigan went before City Council and proceeded to tell them that "volunteers are unreliable" as one of the reasons the Bookmobile should be so ld a nd the money gi 11en bad to the library for operational costs. i bel i eve at the time Mr. long stated that he felt ver:1 strongly that it •.v as important for him to se11 the Bookmobile in order to save th e job of one of his employees. Commendable at least, but again, the ac·i mony might have been negated under the spirit of workina toaether. Recently, the library Oirec:or inadvertantly l eft out the funding for the Bookmobile in the Budget request. This could have been avoided and the Board cou 1 d have been more informed as to tile state of the library, had the Board had the opportunity to go over "l in e by line" on the Budget. _Opportun i .ies, i ns i ght, knowledge and wisdom are being snubbed when one person is the only one in control. It is my sincere belief that our library Director is doing the best he can. It is also my sincere belief that by all of us workina toaether we can all make the Englewood Public l i brary shine. It has been my experience as a board member, that some of my questions are not being addressed because they are less than desireable areas to deal with, i.e., vagrant patrons, the health and safety of patrons, caoperati ng with other businesses, improving and ana 1 yzi ng potenti a 1 changes, etc. There is always roam for changes, but when I have approached these subjects, I am shut down or I am told that nothing can be done. I tender this letter to you in the spirit of fairness. I would ask all of you to take a better look at the library and its operations. I would a 1 so ask that you give me a chance to address my concerns without having my he ad cut off in the process. I have been working on this is sue for a 1 ong time and would ask your fairness, or at the very least that you listen. : 't I Mary Dounay 4445 S. Elati St. Englewood, CO 80110 Sandi Ostema 2843 S. Grant ' St. Englewood, CO 80110 (303) 781-5420 February 21, 1997 Re: Library Board Charter Dear Mary: As discussed, enclosed please find a photocopy of the Charter regarding the role of the Library within the Charters of the City of Englewood. I do not see anywhere here where the Charter reads: "The Library Director will cooperate 1tiith the City Manager. .",nor does it read: "The Library Board is an advisory role only''. It does say, which I have highlighted, "The Board will (not 'shall') cooperate with the City Manager ... " (emphasis added). I understand that Hank considers the Board and the "Maalox moment" and eats antacids like candy. I also understand not wanted to take a stand on this issue for your own reasons. have covered this in the past and in our conversation today, desire to have more "participation" in the budget process. Budget as a that you have I be 1 i eve we as wel 1 as my In short, I would request a more participatory role in the Budget process. Having Hank handle the whole budget process may be easier and less confrontive (and better for his health), but that does not mean it is right or proper. I think you can agree that the current Board, which according to Hank is the most active Board in history, would do a fine job and would be excited to have more of a role in the budget process. ...