LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD                                                                                               UNAPPROVED                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 6, 2010

 

Session 10-03 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on April 6, 2010 at 6:05 pm by Chair Eileen Faulkner at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                      BOARDMEMBERS FAULKNER, WAGNER, LARSON, SEAMAN, HAWFIELD

STUDENT

REPRESENTATIVE:         HEATHER SCHADE

 

STAFF:                          LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL 

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

Approval of the Agenda

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Board.

 

Public Comments Regarding Items on the Agenda

 

None.

 

Reconsideration

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

Approval of the Minutes

 

A.            Regular Meeting Minutes from February 2, 2010.

 

The minutes were approved by consensus of the Board.

 

Visitors and Communications

 

A.            Student Representative Report

 

Heather Schade reported that further polling of her peers determined that the following would be best for a movie night:

1.         Cartoons – make it a Family Night, not necessarily teen focused.

2.         Older movies preferred. Themed programs.

3.         No overnight

4.         No popcorn.

5.         Saturday evening, 5:00 p.m or 6:00 p.m. Did not want competition with Friday night. Offer outlet for families with younger children.

 

Ms. Schade also reported that preferred books and collections on the wish list were Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Broken Key Series by Brian S. Pratt, and the Immortal Series by Alyson Noel. Video game rental was recommended strongly by many of her peers. She was not sure how the library would start or offer this program.

 

Library Director Hill responded that Heather’s input was greatly appreciated. Some of the books requested previously have been obtained. There has been some concern expressed regarding the noise levels regarding the video games in the library. Signs have been posted. Library Director Hill requested the listing of the books in the series mentioned.

 

B.            Friends Report

 

Sue Mauger with the Friends of the Homer Library thanked the boardmembers for attending the monthly Friends meetings. She noted that now they have chocolate at the LAB meetings. She then reported on the Celebration of Life Long Learning Event, which is the biggest fund raiser event of the year, to be held on April 17, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. Guest Speaker for the event will be Seth Kantner, of Nome, author and photographer; there will be a silent auction; food from area restaurants, trivia contest, and the Life Long Learner Awards; tickets are on sale now and cost $50.00. She requested ideas from the boardmembers for practical auction items such as services a person would normally seek out or use.

Ms. Mauger informed the Boardmembers that a joint weekend for all members of the library staff, boardmembers and Friends was being planned for May 23 and June 6th to discuss what/how programming is needed and integrated; get to know each other and better coordination between each group; work on more teen participation, encourage joint meetings between the teen representatives, etc.

Library Director Hill will send out a request to staff as to which Sunday would be best to have the most response form all three groups. Ms. Mauger asked for the boardmembers to submit any ideas or topics they feel should be discussed or addressed during the retreat.

Ms. Mauger noted that National Library Week begins on April 11, 2010 through the 17th and the Board was welcome to the Lunch that they provided for the staff on Tuesday around noon in the back room.

Library Director Hill commented that the announcement will be made by the Mayor at the Council meeting on Monday.

Chair Faulkner thanked Ms. Mauger for coming to the meeting tonight and Boardmember Wagner gave kudos for obtaining Mr. Kantner as a guest speaker.

Boardmember Larson wanted to inform the board and Ms. Mauger about a statue of a girl laying down reading that was at Blackberry Bog and she thought about having it for the Library. She related that at the same time the shop owner received a phone call from the Kenai Library wanting to purchase the statue. She noted customs at libraries in other countries about touching a statue for luck. She was inquiring about placing a statue that would elicit touch from patrons similar to responses in other countries. Chair Faulkner noted that it was something the Art Selection Committee could look into at a later date. Ms. Mauger responded that the Friends would entertain assisting with funding for a project like that also. A comment was made on local talent and maybe a pair of book ends. (Backgrounds noise did not allow clear audio for the clerk to transcribe comments.)

 

There was no further discussion.

 

C.            Next Friends Meeting

 

Chair Faulkner requested a volunteer to attend the Friends meeting scheduled for April 14, 2010. After a brief silence Boardmember Seaman volunteered to attend.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

Library Director’s Report

 

A.          Director’s Report for March and April 2010    

 

Library Director Hill noted that both reports are short. Questions were made regarding the noise complaints. Library Director Hill stated that occasionally they do have problems with noise from groups gathered at the computers, but it is not always young people as the culprits. They have had problems with groups of adults talking too loud. The staff works diligently to keep noise levels down in the computer areas.

A brief discussion was held regarding having laptops available for patrons to use or check out if there were noisy situations. This would allow those patrons to work in a more suitably silent area of the library. The discussion included obtaining donated laptops or computers. Library Director Hill reported attending a webinar regarding the gaming and using donated computers and games and other libraries even accepted games as payment in lieu of cash for fines.

Boardmember Larson requested that they take a bold step and submit a letter requesting Amazon and Apple to use the Homer Library for a test or trial run of the iPad and Kendall. She mentioned seeing a program where someone was using the iPad and the ease of use. She realized this was out there but thought it was worth a try.

Chair Faulkner requested comment from Library Director Hill on offering a program such as this.

There was further discussion on how to prevent theft of the laptops or readers and current prevention tactics. It was noted the benefits of having access to newer technology. Boardmember Larson reported keeping a shoe when she used to teach and loan out calculators. It was not going to happen overnight but a direction that the Library wanted to take and Library Director Hill was receptive to the concept.

 

Boardmember Hawfield arrived at 6:45 p.m.

 

Chair Faulkner questioned Ms. Schade if the students expressed they felt picked on in any way regarding the noise issues. Ms. Schade responded that they did not express that feeling to her.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

B.         Monthly Statistics – March 2010              

 

Library Director Hill distributed the statistics for March. She summarized that just about every category matched or exceeded the previous month. She noted that the Library is starting to pick up.

 

There were no questions. Chair Faulkner expressed it was nice to see the library being used, even during the blizzard.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

Committee Reports

 

A.         Art Selection Committee Report

           

Chair Faulkner advised that local, amateur photographer Jeff Wells had his work displayed now until June. There are numerous photographs displaying an array of subjects.

 

She stated that the Art Selection Committee is recommending postponing further selection after this year due to staff time constraints and since the membership for the board is down, it would be a good time to hold off and redirect the focus of art on display. She would like to address this at the end of 2011 and is requesting confirmation from the Board.

Discussion surrounding this decision and maybe approaching the Pratt Museum offering them the use of the additional display space at the Library since they are having storage problems and putting the onus on the Pratt with regard to installation and selection; more or less turning over the display area entirely to the Pratt.

Library Director Hill further added that it (art display) does not seem to be working out this year and artists for the 2010 display season was only recently filled. The Committee almost had to extend one artist’s display to cover a second quarter. It was agreed to approach the Pratt. There was no objection from the board to temporarily suspend meetings of the committee.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

 

 

 

B.         Landscape Committee Report – Flo Larson          

 

Boardmember Larson informed the boardmembers that no meeting has been conducted since discussion on the planter, however agreement was reached between committee members on what to name weeding day. It will be advertised as “War on Weeds” Day. It is scheduled whether permitting in May. She will forward information to Boardmember Wagner for advertising in the local paper. This is to be tied in with the annual clean up day.

 

Library Director Hill commented on getting the information to the Friends to assist with any needed posters, notices, etc.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

Public Hearing

 

None.

 

Pending Business

 

A.            Capital Projects

 

Chair Faulkner advised the Board that she still has not seen the report from the combined meeting that Public Works Director Meyer informed them of at their February meeting. She has not heard anything from City Manager Wrede on the when he needed the prioritized capital projects listing from them either. It was recommended to use Mr. Smith’s report to prioritize the list of capital improvements needed. It was further recommended to push it forward; even if only half can be funded it is one step closer to completion.

The boardmembers discussed the projects that should be listed as follows:

 

CAPITAL           1.   Lake Handicap Parking.

                        2.   Heat Loss from Windows.

                        3.   Arctic Entry

                        4.   Ventilation Stack Extension to Boiler

                       

Discussion continued that all projects listed maintain the number one priority ranking. No one project is more important than another. All these things will save money for the City and should be addressed. Some items pose certain safety hazards to patrons.

 

MAINTENANCE  1.   Computer Adjustments

                        2.   Earlier Time Activation for heat on Mondays.

                        3.   Manual Control of Lighting.

                        4.   Lighting Issues in Storage Areas

                        5.   Back Hallway Lighting

                        6.   Noise Control for entrance hallway.

 

All items discussed should be listed whether they are money saving or improvements. Questions were asked on the operation of the computer from the company located in Anchorage. It was noted that information must be obtained on contract length, propriety equipment, etc. The clerk was requested to put these items in a memo for the chair to sign. It was further noted by the Board that this list will be an ongoing yearly process and should be consider appropriately.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

B.            Library – Comments, Responses, Issues, and Challenges

 

There was no discussion.

 

C.         New Boardmembers

 

There was a brief discussion on the existing need of new members. The board was now down three members since this was Mike Hawfield’s last meeting. She emphasized that the meetings are fun and do not last more than 90 minutes. It was noted that employees can apply too. Although they are busy they may want to be more involved.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

D.         Review and Update Library Policies and Procedures

 

This agenda item was postponed by direction of the Chair and request of the Library Director.

 

At the request of Library Director Hill, the Boardmembers were asked to keep this packet and bring to use at future meetings.

 

NEW BusinesS

 

A.         Election of Chair and Vice Chair

 

Boardmember Hawfield nominated Eileen Faulkner for Chair. Boardmember Wagner seconded the nomination.

 

There were no more nominations.

 

VOTE. YES. WAGNER, LARSON, FAULKNER, SEAMAN, HAWFIELD

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Faulkner opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair and reminded the member that Mr. Hawfield could not be nominated as this was his last meeting.

 

Boardmember Larson and Faulkner nominated Kyra Wagner. This was seconded by Boardmember Hawfield.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. WAGNER, FAULKNER, LARSON, SEAMAN.

 

Motion carried.

 

Informational Materials

 

None.

 

Comments from the PUBLIC

 

None.

 

 

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Library Director Hill thanked Boardmember Hawfield for all the wonderful years and now he could visit the Library and enjoy it. She thanked him for starting the chocolate policy and invited him to drop in anytime on any of their meetings. She noted in response to Boardmember Larson that the new Library took 20 years but when it happens it happens big.

 

Deputy City Clerk Krause had no comments.

 

Comments from the Board

 

Boardmember Wagner echoed Library Director Hill’s sentiments and encouraged him to attend a meeting for fun at anytime.

 

Student Member Schade inquired when a new student representative would be needed. She will be going to college in August. She will try to make sure she has a replacement for the September meeting.

 

Boardmember Larson expressed that she joined the Board at the urging of Mike and she did not realize what was involved with the Library and but that it has grown on her. The most frustrating thing is the speed at which things do not get done. She thanked Mike for the time and work he put in on the board. She noted instances of good people who put in their time on previous committees and nothing was taken serious and these folks will not join up again because the folks who established the committees did not listen. She cited the ongoing energy issues with the library.

 

Boardmember Seaman said it has been fun and thanked Mike.

 

Boardmember Hawfield expressed enjoyment being on the board all these years, very rewarding experience, and working on the construction, projects dealing with the Library. The meetings have always been fun, offered no stress and interesting to attend. He offered a word of caution regarding getting things done and addressing items, work with people in office and advocating not to ignore the board, commissions, etc. He mentioned the other commissions not having quorums and the pervading malaise within the community.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Faulkner acknowledged the frustration that dealing with the snail’s pace progress can have and thanked Mike for his work, input on government and processes, knowledge, and invited him to come by to any of their meetings. She wished him continued success in his future endeavors with his chosen path. She then presented him with a plaque commemorating his service on the Library Advisory Board which contained photos of each of Homer’s Libraries.

 

adjournment

 

There being no further business to come before the Board Chair Faulkner adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2010 at 6:00 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

                                                                       

 Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

Approved: