LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Session
08-02 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on
PRESENT: BOARDMEMBER MARTIN, KEFFER, LORD,
SEAMAN, FAULKNER
ABSENT: BOARDMEMBER HAWFIELD
STAFF: LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL
DEPUTY
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.
APPOVAL OF THE MINUTES
A. Minutes of the
MARTIN/FAULKNER
- MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
There was
no further discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
VISITORS
Friends Report – Nancy Lord and
Helen Hill
Nancy Lord was away for the last
meeting and turned the floor over to Library Director Hill who attended that
meeting. Library Director Hill reported that there were many new exciting
programs. The Young Adult Writers Group has expanded to two nights per week;
Game Night, this is for the whole family playing board games such as Candy Land
for the young to Yahtzee; Acoustic Night on Fridays open to young teen
musicians to come and jam; Adult Writers Group; Lapsit Program for Infants, a
repetitive language exercise for infants. There were twelve participants at the
first meeting last week. This is held once a week at
There was no further discussion.
LIBRARY
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A Director’s Report for January 2008
Library Director Hill reviewed her
monthly report for the Boardmembers. She solicited questions from the
Boardmembers. She commented that she enjoyed seeing the long list of programs
and that they never could have had this many at the old library.
Library Director Hill stated she
did not attend the first Acoustic Night; Theresa, a member of her staff did and
reported that it was well attended and people seem to enjoy themselves. It is
open to area teens to come and play. They had six teens show on the first
night. They are hoping that there will be even more on the next scheduled
night. The format is not a recital just kids getting together and playing.
Library Director Hill elaborated on
the number of applications received for the Part Time Library position. She
spent time interviewing last week and will make a decision by the end of next
week.
Boardmember Keffer asked about the
comment received, “Don’t discriminate people against their age. Ageism is very
rude.” Library Director Hill explained that there was some patrons not
following Library Policy regarding behavior and were reprimanded.
A.
Monthly Statistics
Library Director Hill reviewed the
statistics for January. She noted that circulation, attendance, materials added
and revenue had all increased over January 2007 figures.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
A.
Artwork
Selection Committee Report – Boardmember Eileen Faulkner
Boardmember Faulkner reported that there was
a meeting and still waiting for another member from the Friends to come on
board. Enclosed in the packet is finalized Exhibit Application form. This form
will be completed and submitted with the Artists work. The first submissions
will be from
Boardmember Lord pointed out the statement on
the form, “Homer Public Library cannot functions as a broker/agent for anyone
whose works are on display for sale.”
She questioned whether it was consistent with the established policy.
Boardmembers agreed to delete this from the approved form. She questioned if the
submitter would get a copy of the policy and if there would be an additional
form that outlines the rules for submitting artwork. Boardmember Faulkner
stated there would be an additional form that includes a disclaimer that will
address security, liability, and basic ground rules for exhibiting the artwork.
There was no additional discourse.
PUBLIC
HEARING
None.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A.
Planning for the Future – February 2008
Vice Chair Keffer inquired if there
were any questions or comments on planning for the future.
Boardmember Martin asked about the
status of the garden. Library Director Hill responded that it was under snow.
She did still have that item on her list but not until the weather improved and
warmed up a bit. Boardmember Martin volunteered to help Library Director Hill
in anyway she could when the time came.
B.
New Library – Comments, Responses, Issues, and
Challenges
There was no discussion.
C.
Survey – Second Draft
Vice Chair Keffer asked for
comments regarding the second draft survey offering and how close they were to
disseminating the information.
The Boardmembers reviewed the
changes and there was consensus that it appeared to contain all the recommended
changes. They thanked the Clerk for her efforts and time producing and creating
the survey for the Board.
There was brief discourse on the
incentive for completing the survey. Library Director Hill has not heard back
from Sue Coble and will check with her on the status. Boardmember Lord’s
opinion was if it was not ready then just to forget about offering a prize.
The following changes to the second
draft survey were requested:
1.
Move the “Please return survey…”,
Line 4, top of page to the end of the document.
2.
The return by date should be in bold print.
3.
Add topics to question #2, meetings and study group.
4.
Delete “reading” on question #10, after “Top
Drawer.”
Discussion ensued regarding the
distribution strategy, and Sue Coble’s student participation. After final
changes Library Director Hill will perform a final review of the document. The
Board discussed the option of having a link to the survey on the Library
website. Boardmember Lord preferred the paper form. She felt they should look
into an online option the next time around such as SurveyMonkey. Library
Director Hill felt that it would be a good compromise having it online.
Boardmember Seaman asked what the goal for the survey is; to get as many
responses or get people into the library? Boardmember
Seaman pointed out that certain demographics will not complete an online form,
while other demographics will not complete a paper form and they are not going
to come in; she thought the goal was to get as many surveys as possible. Boardmember Faulkner felt both options should
be done as there are folks that do not have the time to complete a paper
survey. The results can be given to the students to compile. Discussion
followed whether it would be a passive thing on the library website or if they
would distribute by email.
The Board addressed the
advertisement for the survey could encompass an announcement by the Clerk’s Office
during their weekly radio report; Letter to the Editor and word of mouth; it
was assumed that the students would distribute the survey or have people answer
the questions at various points throughout town and the area.
Boardmember Lord asked if everyone
was agreeable to the proposed date of
There was no further discussion.
Boardmember Lord recommended postponing this item until
next month and requesting Vice Chair Keffer to send an email requesting Chair
Hawfield supply an outline of what he would like to propose for the Improvement
Plan.
The Board agreed by consensus to postpone this item.
None.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
COMMENTS FROM
Library Director Hill announced that Nancy Lord is the recipient of the
LIBRARY ADVOCACY AWARD intended to recognize local and statewide library
supporters. For her leadership and hard work getting the library built Nancy
Lord was unanimously approved by the Executive Council of the Alaska Library
Association and there is funding available for her to travel to
COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD
Boardmember
Faulkner and Seaman had no comments.
Boardmember
Lord was still in shock over Library Director Hill’s announcement. She was
blown away, she will be attending the next Friends
meeting. She asked if Chair Hawfield had contacted the Clerk’s Office regarding
changing the meeting time to
Boardmember Wagner arrived at
Boardmember Martin congratulated Boardmember Lord
and she appreciated the artwork on the front of the packet.
COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR
Vice Chair Keffer congratulated
Nancy Lord and reported that she will not be at the next meeting and since the
Chair will not be in attendance she was wondering who was next in line. It was
determined that Boardmember Lord being the most senior member would chair the
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to come before the Board, Vice Chair Keffer adjourned
the meeting at
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk
I
Approved: