Session 06-05, a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on May 2, 2006 at 6:09 p.m. by Chair Lord at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:       BOARDMEMBERS:  HAWFIELD, KEFFER, LORD, MARTIN,      SEAMAN, WAGNER

 

ABSENT:        BURSCH (excused)

 

STUDENT:      LETTIS (excused)

 

STAFF:            LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOHNSON

                       

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

 

A.                 Minutes of the April 4, 2006 meeting    

 

Boardmember Seaman noted the LAB was shown pictures of the interior of the library, including the restrooms.

 

KEFFER/HAWFIELD – MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.                        

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Chair Lord suggested adding Item D – New Library Publicity to UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

 

HAWFIELD/WAGNER – MOVED TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

A.                 Statistical Report for April 2006           

 

Library Director Hill reported the wireless internet service is up and running and is successful.  Currently staff is working on the catalog and has sent the final data to the SIRSI Software Company.  During the transition period staff will run two software systems simultaneously.  Although it will slow things down, it is the recommended means for a smooth transition.  The idea is the bulk of library users will visit the library within the month and a report can be run.  It will avoid the manual entering of all 8,500 library users to the new system.  Staff has to assure all the data transfers to the SIRSI system.

 

LAB members were reminded the Homestead dinner is just days away.  Ticket sales are slow so all members should volunteer to make phone calls.  The event is May 13, 2006 and the tickets are $100 each and may be purchased at the library by check or cash or online with a credit card.  It will be a nice event for an excellent cause.  Homer Public Library: Your Pathway to the World-First Stop: the Pacific Rim and the Ring of Fire is the theme with Pacific Island attire encouraged.  An online auction will open soon, then a silent auction and finally a live auction.  Library Director Hill said people have been donating nice items for the auction.

 

Library Director Hill reported the monthly statistics will be available next month.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

           

COMMUNICATION/VISITORS

 

Frank Vondersaar said he will be selling quilt tickets and asked if it was proper to advise the Homestead event at the quilt show.  Boardmember Keffer said she would ask one of the quilters and advise Mr. Vondersaar.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

A.                 New Library Construction Update

 

Library Director Hill gave an update to the new library construction in Project Manager Gibson’s absence.  The shelving is going in which makes the building look like a library.  The site work is in progress with drainage fixes.  By mid May the curb and gutter work will begin with concrete shortly after.  Carpet will be installed in that time frame.  The case work is ongoing.  On Friday, May 5th the Mayor, City Manager, Special Projects Coordinator Holen, LAB Boardmember Lord, Library Director Hill and representatives from USDA will be touring the new library.

 

The second exterior coat of paint has deepened the color.  The Margret Pate Memorial Garden is progressing and the family has added $15,000 for the garden in addition to the fund at the Homer Foundation.

 

B.                 Policies for New Library: 1) Display & Exhibit, 2) Gift, 3) Library Space Use, and 4) Library User Conduct           

 

HAWFIELD/SEAMAN – MOVED TO DISCUSS THE POLICIES.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

The Board discussed the Display and Exhibit Policies in detail and determined the art selection committee would be composed of one LAB member, one Friends of the Homer Library member, one Public Arts Committee member, and the Library Director.  Placement of bulletin boards, areas for non-profit and exhibit displays, and areas for rotating displays by artists were discussed.  It was determined the library would need to be completed before those spaces could be defined.           

 

HAWFIELD/KEFFER - MOVED TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LAB FOR PURPOSES OF FINALIZING LAB POLICIES ON MAY 23, 2006 AT 6:00 P.M

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Boardmember Keffer passed out Draft 4 of the Homer Public Library Gift Acceptance Policy.  She noted minor changes from the last draft, to allow the Library Director more authority in accepting or rejecting gifts.      

 

Boardmember Keffer was excused at 7:35 p.m.

 

The Board returned to discussions of the Display & Exhibit with ideas of setting up an art selection process.  Placement of artwork to maintain safety and provide for movement within the area was discussed.  Boardmember Hawfield will prepare a new draft with the revisions for the special meeting.

 

The Library Space Use Policy was discussed.  Outdoor use of the facilities was omitted as there is little means of monitoring it.  The fees for private use were discussed and more research will be done in preparation of the special meeting.  The object of space use within the new library is to be useful to the community.  During library hours all rooms will be locked and groups will be escorted to the desired room where it will be inspected both prior and after the use.   

 

Policy for Library Use was discussed.  The main question is the drink and food policy.  Roughly fifty percent of libraries allow food and drink, while the other half does not.  Although people enjoy coffee while at the library, there is concern with the new furnishings, carpet and building.  It was the LAB’s consensus a no food or drink policy would be advisable, but the matter will be discussed with library staff for their opinion. 

 

Boardmember Wagner took an informal poll and found that no cell phones allowed is the general consensus.  A provision that no person shall exhibit offensive bodily hygiene or fragrance was added.  Library grounds are not to be used for camping.  As to unattended children, currently 12 is the age limit although some libraries allow 8 year olds to visit unattended.  After discussion the Board agreed to current 12 year old age limit. 

 

            C.        Update LAB Bylaws

 

Chair Lord said there are minor changes to the bylaws that can wait until fall for discussion.  Deputy City Clerk Johnson noted that INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL could be included within business of the agenda rather than after ADJOURNMENT. 

 

            D.        New Library Publicity  

 

Chair Lord reported the Friends of the Homer Library have a budget for the opening of the new library.  The Friends have continued the discussion of publicity events to their next meeting.  Boardmember Wagner said after speaking at last month’s LAB meeting about publicity for the progress of the new library, the karmic connections in Homer’s cosmic community went to work.  The very next edition of the Homer News had a picture of Project Manager Ben Gibson giving little kids a tour of the library and a byline that listed the state of construction of the library.  

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.                 Request from Friends of the Homer Public Library to Name the Children’s Room after Joy Griffin

 

MARTIN/HAWFIELD – MOVED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF NAMING THE CHILDREN’S SECTION OF THE LIBRARY AFTER JOY GRIFFIN.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

HAWFIELD/WAGNER - MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE CHILDREN’S ROOM BE NAMED IN THE HONOR OF JOY GRIFFIN.  

 

Boardmember Hawfield said it is totally appropriate to name the room after Joy Griffin as she was an outstanding volunteer for a number of years and loved the children and the library.  It has been assumed since the beginning of the library construction that the children’s room would be named after her.  Chair Lord noted there is a Memorandum of Understanding with the City that excludes naming of anything except as approved by the City Council, thus the reason for the formality.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Lord will write a memorandum to the City Council conveying the LAB’s wishes on naming the Children’s Room.                                                                        

           

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

There was no public.

 

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

 

Boardmember Martin said she went on the library tour and kept feeling like sitting down and reading a book.  It is well designed and she enjoyed seeing it.

 

Boardmember Wagner said after getting WiFi Frank Vondersaar doesn’t hang out for the whole meeting.  She also went on the library tour with the library staff and enjoyed all their comments.  Jolee said the sink was short in the Children’s Room and it was usually her that cleaned up.  Ms. Wagner told her she would need to get the kids to clean up.

  

Boardmember Hawfield said he will not be here for the July meeting.

 

Chair Lord said she will miss both the July and August meetings.  She said if the LAB has their work done they could take a month off.  The LAB used to always take summers off.  

 

Boardmember Seaman said she won’t be here for July and possibly won’t be at the June meeting.

 

Library Director Hill thanked Boardmember Hawfield, Beth and the student for the wonderful radio piece on the birds in preparation for the Shorebird Festival.  Boardmember Hawfield said Tom also did one on how you can go to the library in your jammies.  Mr. Hawfield said it is fun to watch the students energized by the library.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.  A Special Meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. and the Regular Meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.  Both meetings will be held in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL

 

            A.        City Council Meeting Minutes March 28 and April 10, 2006 (approved) and April 24, 2006 (unapproved)

 

 

 

_________________________________

JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: ________________________