Session
04-05, a Regular Meeting of the Homer
Library Advisory Board was called to order at 6:08 p.m. on May 4, 2004
by Chair
Mauger at the Homer City Hall Conference Room located at 491 E. Pioneer
Avenue,
Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: BOARDMEMBERS: MAUGER,
KEFFER, LORD
BURSCH,
HAWFIELD, WAGNER
HONORARY
STUDENT
MEMBER:
ELLEN BAUER
STAFF:
LIBRARY DIRECTOR
HILL
DEPUTY
CITY CLERK JOHNSON
APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES
The Regular
Meeting Minutes of
HAWFIELD/LORD
– MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
VOTE:
YES. NON OBJECTION.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
APPROVAL
OF THE AGENDA
HAWFIELD/LORD
- MOVED TO CHANGE INFORMATIONAL
MATERIAL TO ITEM 5.
VOTE:
YES. NON OBJECTION.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
LIBRARY
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Library Director Hill stated that the book sale
was well
attended with over 500 participants including a visit from Tony Knowles. The sale generated $2,300 for the new
library. Mrs. Hill is working with Frank
Vondersaar and Steve Bambakidis, Systems
Manager on
the wireless system for the library.
They are working on details for paying monthly phone charges. Mr. Bambakidis believes the system will be
workable. The Juneau Library has used
the wireless system for four months with the local users and soon it
will be
tested with the tourists. Cruise ships
pull close to the Juneau Library and over 2,000 people spill out to
check their
email. The technicians from
Each Friday between
Tourist and visitor traffic is steadily increasing. Story hour remains steady with the summer reading program going well.
Boardmember Hawfield
said he had received an alert for a proposition to reduce State museum
and
library budgets by $100,000. If enacted,
State administrative support for the e-rate program would be terminated. With assistance from the e-rate coordinator
libraries within the State of
In response to a question from Boardmember Lord about computer filtering complaints, Library Director Hill responded that there is still the concern with the home school situation. Mrs. Hill has talked with the concerned person several times and urged them to attend the LAB meetings.
Library Director Hill said interlibrary loans are up for the month of April, internet users remain the same, and story hour remains steady. She explained that volunteer hours do not include campaign volunteers for April, which will be added to May statistics. There was an increase in deposits (fines/fees/copies) for April, possibly due to the end of the school year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A.
Capital
Campaign Committee
Boardmember Lord
reported that
the CCC met last week and focused on grants.
They are working with Special Projects Coordinator Holen along
with the
corporate business segment. The
Committee is planning to schedule asking parties to find more donors. Coordinator Claudia Haines’ hours have been
cut back. The next CCC meeting is May 26th. The Committee is waiting to hear from the Kresge Foundation and the Rasmuson
letter has been received by the City. News
from the USDA funders visit will be
available later
this month. Additionally, Bill Allen of
USDA will bring other funders with him to
visit Homer
during the week of May 24th to view various projects. Ms. Lord said boardmembers
may be asked to act as library hosts.
The Committee of the Friends has been formed as a new campaign
for the
ballot proposition in the fall. Ms. Lord
went to Soldotna to give a presentation for the EDD of the successful
grassroots operation of the Homer library.
B.
Publicity
Committee
Boardmember Keffer
reported that the last PC meeting was April 7th. The
Library
Director Hill said that Homer Tribune
reporter McKibben Jackinsky’s story of Jim
Hornaday was picked up by the AP
(Associated Press) and
included in the
C.
Building
Committee
Boardmember Wagner
said the
library plans are at an exciting stage and on April 8th the
BC met
with the architects to meet with the artists interested in the RFP for
art
within the library. Architect Brian Meissner started the meeting inspiring everyone
by his
computer simulation of the rising sun and it’s radiance to the main
room
entryway between two pillars.[1] He “walked” the artists through the building
explaining the appropriate places for integrated art and explained how
it could
be used in conjunction with construction costs.
The attendees expressed concern with the short period of time to
respond
to the RFP and Mr. Meissner encouraged
them to enter
conceptual proposals instead of specific art pieces.
There were 26 proposals submitted with one
artist submitting three. The proposals
have been narrowed down and more specifics have been requested from
some
artists. Ms. Wagner said Asia Freeman
from the Public Arts Committee was amazed and inspired how it all came
together
with themes already arising. The final
meeting for the Art Committee is on May 17th, with proposals
to the
City Council by May 19th and hopefully approved on May 25th. In June when the architects return with 35%
completion of the library they should have the art.
In response
to Boardmember
Lord’s question of the arts selection committee Ms. Wagner answered
that the
selection committee is made up of people involved in the project from
all areas
of the community. The members are Asia
Freeman from the Public Arts Committee; Kathy Smith, a professional
artist (who
did not submit a proposal); Mary Oldham, who was selected by the City
Manager; Helen
Hill, library staff member; Angie Newby, Building Committee member; and
Brian Meissner, architect for the project.
In response
to Boardmember
Keffer’s question of integrating art meant
to
recognize donors, Boardmember Wagner said
there is
specific space assigned to the donor wall although there were no
proposals. Boardmember
Lord said the donors were promised they would be listed on the wall
with
art. Boardmember
Hawfield said he would contact Claudia to
assure
donors were recognized by art.
Library
Director Hill added that the Clerk’s
office gave out 45 proposals (RFP’s), kept track of those RFP’s and a planholder’s list, date stamping all proposals
that were
submitted. Mrs. Hill thanked the Clerk’s
office for their work.
COMMUNICATION/VISITORS
Frank Vondersaar
distributed information about WI-FI, the wireless computer connection,
and
polling surveys and questionnaires to all Boardmembers.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
A.
Proposed
Library Fines and Fees
Library
Director
Hill requested that this item be continued to the next meeting agenda
as it is
not complete at this time.
The Board
briefly
discussed library fines and fees for city and borough residents.
NEW BUSINESS
COMMENTS
FROM THE PUBLIC
COMMENTS
FROM THE BOARD
Ellen
Bauer, Honorary Student Member, said
tonight’s meeting was her last as she will be traveling to
Boardmember Hawfield said the Get Out
The Vote Committee is being organized and in the next week a candidate[2]
will
be hired. The group is gathering both
positive and negative comments about the new library, preparing to
answer
questions or concerns as they may arise.
Boardmember Mauger
said she had
talked with the last City Councilmember to make a donation to the
library[3]. The Councilmember asked about the operating
budget for the new library and Ms. Mauger stated it was her
understanding that
the Council was to determine the operating budget.
Ms. Mauger said a time line for addressing
the bond is needed. Library Director
Hill said increased operations will be the biggest issues and there are
a
number of good responses to that. Ms.
Mauger said clarity is needed about the operating expenses due to the
news
coverage and budget issues.
Boardmember Hawfield
said he had talked with City Manager Wrede and the operating expenses
were needed
in the fiscal plan. Funds to pay back a
loan cannot be dedicated directly for an operating fund.
Mr. Wrede understands it is a part of the
fiscal plan that is due by the end of May.
Mr. Hawfield said the Board needs
to monitor
City Council meetings and assume more active roles.
Boardmember Lord
said operating and maintenance costs can be put in the bond package as
Boardmember Lord said
the LAB has
gone to the City Council a dozen times asking for a worksession
to work through issues and a meeting has yet to be scheduled. She said it is frustrating when there are
complaints that the LAB has not thought of things or there has not been
a
discussion with the Councilmembers. Ms. Mauger said this is where Rasmuson can work for the LAB, with the approval
of the
foundation grant. Rasmuson
was concerned about understanding the operating budget and they will be
looking
for clarity. With the one million dollar grant before Rasmuson
the City Council may be more attentive.
ADJOURNMENT
There being
no further business to come before
the Advisory Board the meeting was adjourned at
____________________________________
JO JOHNSON,
DEPUTY CITY CLERK
____________________________________
APPROVED