HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-14 PLB MINUTESEnglewood Public Library
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3400 S. Elati St ., Englewood, CO 80110 (303)762-2560 i:i!;:
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Minutes
Englewood Public Library Board
January 14, 1997
Call To Order/Roll Call
The regular meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by
Chairperson, Mary Dounay at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT: M. Dounay , R. Greiner, M. Giffin, S. O'Leary, S. Smithers, M. Schwindt,
Council Member Habenicht, and M. Heberling.
REGRETS: A. Leonard, S. Ostema, and B. Williams.
ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long, Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording
Secretary.
Old Business
97 -1 Motion: That the Minutes of the Library Board Meeting of December 10, 1996
be approved as written .
Moved by: Sonie Smithers
Seconded by: Marge Schwindt
The Motion passed.
Ms. Smithers reported that the Friends of the Library have not met since the last Board .
meeting. The next meeting of the Friends will be Wed., January 22 at 7 p.m. Many ·
books have already been donated to the Library for the Book Sale to be held in June.
Plans are proceeding for a bake sale in April to be sponsored by the Friends. Ms.
Dounay asked for clarification about donations and that they can be from anyone not
only members of the Friends.
Mr. Long reported for Ms. Ostema that the next Book Discussion Group wilLbe Tues.,
January 28th at 7 p.m. The book to be discussed is ~River God" by Wilbur Smith.
Ms. Dounay reported for the Save the Bookmobile Committee. There will be a short
meeting of this committee with Mr. Long on Thurs., January 16 at Clayton Elementary.
The City has taken over the operational costs of the Bookmobile for the 1997 Budget
year. Mr. Long has asked that the Committee fund an additional 5 hours per week for
the Bookmobile driver. This will be discussed at the meeting on the 16th.
Mr. Long reported on the upcoming Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. Invitations have
been sent to all volunteers and businesses who have given of time and services since
January of 1995 until the present. Several members of Fielding Clayton's family will be
in attendance from Texas. Ms. Dounay and Mr. Long will be in charge of the program
portion of the ceremony. Ms. Dounay urged all those who can attend do so. Ms.
Habenicht said she was very pleased to see the Library doing this recognition and
said she hopes there is a good showing.
There was no report on the Cultural Arts Commission due to Ms. Leonard's absence.
Ms. Dounay related that Ms. Leonard's son, Blaine is quite ill and is in Swedish
hospital. All present expressed concern and sympathy.
Ms. Giffin is in charge of the Staff Appreciation dinner set for Friday, April 18. Mr.
Heberling, Ms. O'Leary and Ms. Williams will be meeting with her to plan this year's
event. Ms. Giffin wanted to thank Ms. Greiner and Ms. Smithers for all their wonderful
help last year with the same event. If any other Board Members want to help they are
to let Ms. Giffin know.
There was no discussion concerning the statistics for December for either the Library
or the Bookmobile.
It was noted that the remaining amount of $594.60 left in the Library Board Budget
from 1996 had been transferred for use to the Library's book budget. This has been a
tradition of the past several years as suggested by Council Member Habenicht. Mr.
Long expressed appreciation from the staff to the Board for their generosity.
New Business
The next item on the Agenda was the election of officers for the 1997 year. It was noted
that these elections of Chair and Vice Chair are held at the January meeting for the
next year, terms to run from February -January of the following year. It was noted by
Ms. Dounay that each position, chair and vice chair are terms that may be served
consecutively, but that a person may serve only two terms as such. Ms. Dounay noted
for the record that her term on the Library Board expires with the January meeting but
that she intended to re-apply for another four year term on the Board. Ms. O'Leary said
that she also intended to apply for a four year term beginning February, 1997.
Nominations were opened for the office of Chair of the Library Board.
Margaret Giffin nominated Mary Dounay for Chair of the Library Board.
It was seconded by Sonie Smithers.
There were no further nominations.
97 - 2 Motion: It was moved that Mary Dounay be elected the Chair of the
Englewood Public Library Board for 1997, by acclamation.
Moved by: Margaret Giffin
Seconded by : Sonie Smithers
The Motion passed.
Ms . Dounay nominatred Margaret Giffin for the position of Vice Chair of the Public
Library Board, noting how much she had enjoyed working with Ms. Giffin this past
year.
Ms. Smithers secoded the nomination.
There were no further nominations .
. 97-3 Motion: It was moved that Margaret Giffin be elected Vice Chair of the
Englewood Public Library Board 1997, by acclamation.
Moved by: Sonie Smithers
Seconded by: Marge Schwindt
The Motion passed.
Ms. Dounay and Ms. Giffin thanked those present for their support .
Ms. Dounay said she had been thinking of the various ways in which the Library had
been publicized in the past .Most especially with regard to the highly visible publicity
surrounding the Bookmobile being on the road, the Friend's Newsletter, the recent
Open House dedicating the Sophie Equipment , and the yearly Food For Fines. She
wondered if those present had any other ideas regarding how to make the Library
even more visible in the community. Ms . Smithers mentioned that she had recently
talked to the executive director of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and
had arranged for an article to be included in the current Chamber Newsletter. The
Chamber offered the ability to include flyers in the newsletter to advertise specific
events at the Library . These newsletters are mailed to over 900 Chamber Members.
Mr. Heberling noted that Channel 8 seems to be a positive way to reach the
community. Also mentioned as a positive step were the business cards for Board
Members to hand out , inviting community members to events at the Library . Ms.
Habenicht mentioned an idea using balloons with book tiles to promoted Summer
Reading programs. All ideas were the product of brainstorming, no definite plans were
made. Other ideas included , Public Open House highlighting the Internet , an
informational table at the summer EDDA concerts on Thursday evenings , a ·Read-In·
using community, staff and others, a scavenger hunt , possibly in conjunction with the
Englewood Historical Society , a mystery party . It was decided that a committee to
further brainstorm would be formed and bring back some concrete ideas . Ms .
Smithers, Ms. Greiner and Mr. Heberling volunteered to get together and brainstorm.
Mr. Long will ask for a staff volunteer as well as contact Mr. Hunter from the Historical
Society.
In conjunction with the visibility of the Library , Mr. Long said he would like to pursue
the idea of having a large plaque mounted in the Library which would list all those who
have served on the Public Library Board since its inception in 1926. There was
general agreement that it would be an excellent way of recognizing efforts of
individuals in the community. Mr. Long will look into costs and types of plaques.
Mr. Long reported that the Internet terminals are up and running . The public is using
the terminals in a variety of ways. Mr. Heberling said he had heard students at the high
school talking about the Internet access with enthusiasm. It seems to be a very popular
service.
Comments were made on the success of the Open House for the Sophie equipment
held on Friday, January 10. Ms. Dounay said she was very pleased with the turnout.
She was also most impressed with the gentleman from Beyond Sight who did the
introduction of the equipment. It was noted that Channel 2 had been present and had
taped the event and later showed it on the nightly news. Pictures taken by Bob Scott
were passed around for viewing. Ms. Habenicht said she had an idea about
publicizing the Library and the Sophie equipment . Ms. Habenicht has a favorite soap
opera, "Young and the Restless # which has a character in it who is blind. Ms .
Habenicht's thought was that it would be fun to have the character in some way learn
about the Sophie equipment here at the Library , possibly coming to visit. Ms. Dounay
asked if Ms. Habenicht would be willing to look into this. Ms . Habneicht agreed. Ms .
Smithers offered to help Ms. Habenicht.
Mr. Long indicated that he and Chuck Esterly , head of Public Works had met with City
Manager, Doug Clark regarding plans for the remodel of the Library . Mr. Clark
expressed an interest in coming to the February Board Meeting and talking to the
Board about the remodel plans. Mr. Heberling mentioned that he has heard comments
from family members that they felt the lighting is inadequate at the Library , causing an
unpleasant atmosphere. He said he felt a better environment was needed for the
services provided.
Tax Time has started and is in full swing, thanks to the efforts of Darrell Chayne ,
reference librarian. This year for the first time the Library will remain open until 11 p .m.
on April 15 .
It was reiterated that the open house for Sophie was very successful. Ms. Dounay
again said how impressed she had been with the demonstration.
The CD Rom jukeboxes will be installed for the Kids Komputers once Mr. Long has
purchased new software .
Members Choice
Ms. Schwindt thanked the Board for their get well card during her recent ear surgery .
She commented on an article she had read several weeks ago in the Rocky Mountain
News.
Ms. Habenicht mentioned the upcoming ground breaking ceremony for the Light Rail.
'
Ms. O'Leary said that should she not be re appointed to the Board that she had
enjoyed her brief time of service.
Ms. Greiner said that ifs Girl Scout Cookie time. Her daughter's troop is selling
cookies should any one want any, please contact Ms. Greiner.
Ms . Giffin thanked Mr. Long for being such a good publist with regard to the recent
Open House . Ms. Greiner added her agreement to this.
Mr. Heberling said he enjoyed working with the Board and he liked being the youth
representative. He said he is enjoying working with adults on projects.
Ms. Dounay shared a Christmas card sent to the Board from the Mayor. She aslo had
a letter from the school district thanking the Library for providing services for the
visually handicapped .
Mr. Long thanked Ms ,. Smithers for bringing treats.
Summary of Decisions
Mr. Long will look into the cost of purchasing a plaque to include nameplates of all
those serving on the Public Library Board.
Ms. Giffin will chair the committee planning a staff appreciation dinner.
Ms. Smith ers will chair a committee to brainstorm idea to publicise the Library.
Mary Dounay was elected Chair of the Library Board with Margaret Giffin being
elected Vice Chair.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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