Session 07-01 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on January 2, 2007 at 6:02 pm by Chair Lord at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:       BOARDMEMBER HAWFIELD, LORD, MARTIN, SEAMAN

 

ABSENT:        BOARDMEMBER BURSCH, KEFFER, WAGNER (excused)

 

STUDENT:      LETTIS

 

STAFF:            LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Library Director Hill commented that she needed to be back at the library by 7:00 pm. 

 

HAWFIELD/SEAMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT   

 

Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

 

A.        Minutes of the December 5, 2006 regular meeting

 

HAWFIELD/SEAMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT  

 

Motion carried.

 

VISITORS AND COMMUNICATION

 

Frank Vondersaar wished everyone Happy New Year.

 

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

Library Director Hill advised the Board that the position for Library Technician would be advertised through Friday.  She hasn’t seen any applications yet as they come into the Personnel Office.  Currently there are temporary workers filling in and are doing a great job.  Ms. Hill said her goal is to hire people with excellent computer skills as well as customer service skills.

 

There was brief discussion regarding the new print management software at the library.  Ms. Hill said it has really helped to cut back on extraneous copies.

 

A.                 Statistical Report for December 2006

 

Library Director Hill explained that the staff member who prepares the stats is out of the office until the 3rd.  She noted that over 7500 items were checked out and that is about 1400 more than last year.

 

There was discussion regarding the various library conferences that Ms. Hill attends as time and funding allow. She commented that she would be attending the Alaska Library Association (ALA) annual conference in February.  Ms. Hill noted that she was invited to participate on a panel for a State Library workshop for Library Directors on how to build a new library.  She said she is looking forward to participating and sharing the experience of the new library.  It will take place in February.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

A.        Planning for the Future: Survey

 

Chair Lord commented that at the last meeting there was discussion about offering a survey and having it at the library for patron or perhaps sending it out to residents in an effort to get feedback regarding library hours, services and so forth.   Library Director Hill said she had talked with Boardmember Keffer who said she had done some research and hopes to have something prepared for the next meeting.  There was brief discussion regarding types of surveys and distribution costs.  It was noted that there may be funding available through the Friends of the Library or grants to underwrite a project such as this.  The Board agreed to discuss it further at their next meeting.

 

B.         New Library - Comments, Responses, Issues and Challenges: Publicity

 

Chair Lord said she requested this topic be on the agenda because she regularly runs into people who don’t know what is available at the library.  There was discussion of contacting Carey James of the Homer Tribune and having her do an article with Library Director Hill, asking questions similar to the article on the Loussac Library in Anchorage.[1]  They discussed the importance of familiarity and the need to get more people informed on what is available at the library.  Library Director Hill commented that her focus is leaning more toward technology and reaching out to young people to get them into the library.  She reiterated her desire for the new library staff to have strong computer knowledge to bring in new ideas and assist in keeping up with the technology.  The Board agreed that they all have different venues in which they interact with others and can help in providing information. They noted that the library has something for everyone and it is a shame if people don’t know what is there.  The Board agreed that an article in the newspaper is a good first step.  Boardmember Hawfield agreed to meet with Library Director Hill and talk about some ideas for the article.  They will have further discussion at the March meeting.   

 

B.                             Parking along Hazel Avenue

 

Chair Lord explained that there was some confusion in the parking along the street because the no parking signage for the fire hydrant was backward.  The signs have been corrected and the City Manager conferred with the City Attorney and determined that it is acceptable to park on Hazel Avenue.  

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

There were no new business items. 

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.        Loussac’s Community Relevance Set for Revisions (ADN 12/26/06)

 

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Frank Vondersaar expressed his appreciation to Library Director Hill and the Friends of the Library for the propane to run the fireplace.  He questioned if there had been any progress on bumping the wireless internet up to five megabytes.  Library Director Hill said she would check with the Systems Manager on the status.

 

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

 

Boardmember Martin said thanks for solving the parking problem and hopes Library Director Hill has a good vacation. 

 

Boardmember Hawfield expressed the same wishes for Ms. Hill’s vacation. 

 

Chair Lord advised the Board that she would miss the February and April meetings.  She said that the Friends were going to be purchasing a few laptops for use in the library.  Library Director Hill added that they will be used to help library users, primarily senior citizens, learn more about using computers. 

 

The Boardmembers had brief discussion regarding members who would be absent from the February meeting.  Library Director Hill will also be absent as she is attending a conference. 

 

HAWFIELD/SEAMAN MOVED THAT THE NEXT MEETING BE CANCELED AND THEY WILL MEET AGAIN ON MARCH 6, 2007.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2007 in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved:                                                                   


[1] A copy of the Anchorage Daily New article “Loussac’s Community Relevance set for Revisions” from the December 26, 2006 edition, was included in the LAB packet.