LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD                                                                                               UNAPPROVED

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 8, 2008

 

Session 08-01 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on January 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm by Chair Hawfield at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:          BOARDMEMBER MARTIN, WAGNER, HAWFIELD, KEFFER

 

ABSENT:           BOARDMEMBER SEAMAN (EXCUSED), LORD (EXCUSED), FAULKNER (EXCUSED)

 

STAFF:             LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

                       

                         

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 December 4, 2007 Regular Meeting

 

WAGNER/MARTIN - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.

 

Boardmember Martin pointed out an error in word usage within Chair Hawfield’s comment, “there” should be “their” and Boardmember Keffer’s comment was meant as a joke and should reflect that; on page one of the minutes it was thought predominantly was spelled incorrectly.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

The minutes as amended were approved by consensus of the Board.

 

VISITORS AND COMMUNICATION

 

Friends Report – Library Director Hill

 

Great meeting, the 2008 budget was passed and there will be many new programs. She listed a few of these programs. Some great fundraisers are planned; there will be a Scrabble Tournament and Spelling Bee. Currently the FHL is conducting the membership drive for 2008. She also briefly described the upcoming planned pajama party.

 

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

A          Director’s Report for December 2007

 

 

Library Director Hill reviewed her monthly report for the Boardmembers. She stated it was nice to have a quiet month in order to catch up on some things. The staff is getting back on track with routines such as a return to the staff meetings. She praised the volunteers and all the time they have offered in helping the Library. There was only one comment regarding Library hours should be open later at least one night a week. Library Director Hill responded with additional help it may be possible. The time mentioned was 9:00pm but no one wants the Library to open later, earlier yes, not later. She commented that there was always a line when they opened each morning. Summers are really busy, winter afternoons the busiest.

Library Director Hill mentioned that City Council approved the 2008 Budget and the request for the part time Library person; they will be accepting application until January 23, 2008 at City Hall.

 

A.                  Monthly Statistics

 

Library Director Hill commented on the monthly statistics, she did a yearly comparison instead of a monthly comparison. She pointed out a few high notes in some of the categories such as attendance, the children’s room and classes.

 

She responded to questions and comments by the Boardmembers.

 

Boardmember Wagner brought up the article published by the Anchorage Daily News in the Life section regarding the Homer Public Library getting the AIA Award on December 30, 2007.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

A.                  Artwork Selection Committee Report – Boardmember Eileen Faulkner

 

None.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

           

A.                  Planning for the Future – Survey Draft

 

Chair Hawfield requested suggestions or the staff’s wishes for the library in the future from Library Director Hill. Director Hill was able to list several off the top of head such as senior classes with public computers and the website; expansion of the homebound program; a lapsit program is one that is geared toward infants; regular programming for older children and teens. Chair Hawfield wanted to know how the Board could assist with or advocate for more funding to help the library achieve its full potential to serve the community.

 

Chair Hawfield wanted to propose that an idea for the Library would be an LIP (Library Improvement Plan) similar to the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). He would like to see the LIP as a regular agenda item each month. It would act as a mechanism for determining priorities for the new library. Input would be used from library staff, friends, boardmembers, etc. Then turn the LIP into dollars and hours and present it on a yearly basis to City Council.

 

Chair Hawfield requested that any discussion be postpone on the Survey until the February meeting.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

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

 

The Boardmembers discussed the still vacant position on the Board for a student representative. Boardmember Keffer stated that finding a student has been a real challenge. The Board discussed at length what could be done to encourage or search for a student member.

 

Library Director Hill reported speaking with Sue Coble regarding the survey and that there was University funding and student volunteers available to assist with the Survey. The Boardmembers agreed to postpone further discussion until the next meeting.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

Boardmember Martin had to leave the meeting and there was no longer a quorum.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

None.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

None.

 

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

None.

 

COMMENTS FROM CITY STAFF

 

Library Director Hill thanked Deputy City Clerk Krause for her work on creating such a user-friendly survey. She requested that the Boardmembers review the Survey carefully so that the final draft can be approved at the February meeting.

 

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

 

Boardmember Keffer and Wagner had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Hawfield stated he has received his new teaching schedule and will be unable to conduct the February, March and April meetings. He asked if Vice Chair Keffer would chair these meetings. He also wanted to let Boardmember Lord know that he will not be attending those meetings. He requested that the electronic draft of the survey be sent to all the Boardmembers. Library Director Hill stated she would forward the request.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chair Hawfield adjourned the meeting at 7:10 pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2008 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: