Session 06-12 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on December 5, 2006 at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Lord at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: BOARDMEMBERS: HAWFIELD, LORD, KEFFER, WAGNER

ABSENT: BOARDMEMBERS: BURSCH, MARTIN, SEAMAN (excused)

STUDENT: LETTIS

STAFF: LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOHNSON

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Minutes of the November 7, 2006 meeting

The Regular Meeting minutes of November 7, 2006 were amended.

WAGNER/KEFFER – MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

HAWFIELD/KEFFER - MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A. Statistical Report for November 2006

Library Director Hill reported an increase in library usage, issuance of new library cards, story hour participants and school visits. The city-wide surplus equipment sale resulted in the sale of much of the items in the old library. There will be another bid for surplus equipment that will include the metal shelving along with other remaining equipment. Over the Thanksgiving weekend a power outage tripped settings with the boiler and computers. The senior engineering specialist from ATS Alaska was in Homer for a visit to make adjustments to the building systems, so was able to help to get the building running smoothly again. The Homer Volunteer Fire Department had their weekly meeting at the library with a ground tour to become familiar with the floor plan and location of everything.

Staff is working on a backlog of new materials. Volunteers are spending additional hours to help catch up with the processing of the materials. The City Council is working on the FY 2007 Budget. Library Director Hill, Carol Swartz and Karen Wessel attended a Big Read orientation in Seattle. Tips and tricks of pilot program participants from last year were shared. Mrs. Hill is working on the E-Rate application for the 70% telecommunications discount. The new software allows tracking of what is encumbered, ordered and paid for.

The Friends of the Homer Library (FHL) introduced their 2007 draft budget. In conjunction with Alaska Federal Credit Union the FHL sponsored the Imaginarium science program that was a well attended, successful program. The FHL’s Annual Spelling Bee was a fun event with Jay-Brant Construction as the winning team. Upcoming events for FHL include Writers of the Top Drawer on December 6^th and a quilt raffle on December 16^th.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Currently there are no committees.

COMMUNICATION/VISITORS

There were no visitors.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Library Operating Budget for FY2007

Chair Lord thanked the Board for contacting Councilmembers regarding library needs and urged members to attend the upcoming City Council public hearing on December 11^th .

B. Planning for the Future

It was suggested a survey for library hours and type of books be made. Means of distributing the survey could be by library participants and the public at large. Using a combination of surveys was discussed to include written and informal verbal. The survey would provide information and act as an educational tool. Boardmember Keffer volunteered to work on survey questions.

C. New Library – Comments, Responses, Issues, and Challenges

Library Director Hill has received comments regarding the lights remaining on all day. A design feature of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the motion sensor lights in the stacks, nooks and children’s room.

The FHL 2007 budget includes supplying propane for the library. They are currently setting up an account with a fuel company. When the tank is filled the fireplace can be turned on.

D. Amendment of the Bylaws, Re: Resolution 06-132 Amend Regular

Chair Lord asked for a motion for final adoption of the bylaws.

KEFFER/HAWFIELD- MOVED TO ADOPT.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Parking Along Hazel Avenue

Although Hazel Avenue was designed and built for parking, the required parking for the library is in the lot. The parking ordinance specifies no parking on arterials, but Hazel Avenue is not an arterial. Currently there are signs placed on the street, but they only apply to the fire hydrant. They way the signs are placed infers there is no parking on Hazel Avenue; the signs could be moved. Chair Lord presented a memorandum for the Mayor and City Council that included a request to allow parking on Hazel Avenue.

HAWFIELD/WAGNER - MOVED TO FORWARD THE MEMO TO THE MAYOR THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

There was no audience.

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

Boardmember Wagner appreciates the short meeting due to an illness.

Boardmember Hawfield loves sitting in any space in the library and sees other people enjoy being in the space. He is reveling in it still.

Boardmember Keffer said the councilmember she talked to remarked that the library position requested appeared to be a 1.6 employee increase.

Library Director Hill has an employee she would like to promote. It would be a slight increase in hours approximately a $5,000 increase, and still part-time with no benefits. She questioned the 2007 LAB meeting schedule (previously approved) as the May meeting will be held on the second Tuesday of the month.

ADJOURNMENT

KEFFER/HAWFIELD – MOVED TO ADJOURN.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for January 2, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL

_________________________________

JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: ________________________