Session 07-02 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on March 6, 2007 at 6:04 pm by Chair Lord at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: BOARDMEMBER BURSCH, HAWFIELD, KEFFER, LORD, SEAMAN

ABSENT: BOARDMEMBER MARTIN, STUDENT MEMBER LETTIS (both excused)

STAFF: LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

CLERICAL ASSISTANT MILLER

Approval of the Agenda

Chair Lord noted that Claudia Haines, Coordinator of the Friends of the Homer Public Library, was in attendance to participate in the discussion of Library Use by Young People and requested that the agenda item be taken up after approval of the minutes.

HAWFIELD/WAGNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH THE CHANGE NOTED.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Motion carried.

Public Comments Regarding Items on the Agenda

Frank Vondersaar complemented Library Director Hill on her radio presentation.

Reconsideration

There were no items for reconsideration.

Approval of the Minutes

A. Minutes of the January 2, 2007 meeting.

HAWFIELD/WAGNER MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Motion carried.

A. Library Use by Young People

Library Director Hill gave a brief overview of recent incidents at the new library. She reported that there was a break in at the Library, there has been significant graffiti in the men’s restroom and small graffiti etched into the window sill. Mrs. Hill said of the majority of the teens that use the library are very responsive when they are asked not to do something, but there is a particular group that is consistently causing problems.

Mrs. Haines advised the Board that she has transitioned into working in the library and spends three days a week there. She said it is a good change as it gives the Friends a presence there and she has contact with the staff and sees what library users are doing. She pointed out that there are a lot of kids using the library in an appropriate way, however there is a group of kids that are defying anything they consider control at the library. Concerns that Mrs. Haines noted are

· Having interacted with them, the group is somewhat ambiguous and has found some sort of territory at the library.

· The Friends have a series of youth programs planned for the rest of the year and they are concerned about how they will be implemented, given this other level of issues.

· They see staff has a huge demand on their time dealing with a small group of people.

· They are concerned about damage to the building that everyone spent so much time and energy to build.

· Cost of equipment replacement in light of the recent break in.

The Board, Library Director Hill and Mrs. Haines had lengthy discussion regarding ways to address the issues at the library and gave consideration to the following ideas:

· Video surveillance cameras.

· A security guard on staff during regular business hours.

· Contacting parents of school aged youth who are in the library during school hours.

· Signing in upon entrance to the library.

Regarding the last two suggestions, Library Director Hill noted that there are issues that have to be considered like access to information and rights to privacy. It puts the responsibility on the library to keep track of the kids and they are not equipped to take on the responsibility. Mrs. Hill stated that the cameras are the most attractive option in her opinion. She said the City Manager is ready to go to Council with a budget amendment and the Chief of Police is supportive as well.

The group agreed that this needs to be acted on quickly and the Board supported Library Director Hill moving forward with the video surveillance and looking into the concept of a security guard as a more immediate solution in the mean time.

Visitors and Communications

Library Director’s Report

A. Statistical Report for February 2007

Library Director Hill reported that she had been contacted by a teacher at West Homer Elementary who received a grant from the Alaska Council on the Arts. He has arranged for Therese Halscheid, a poet from the East Coast, for a two week residency. She will be doing a reading at the library on March 9^th and she asked that the Boardmembers help spread the word.

Library Director Hill commented regarding the statistics. She said the numbers are high, despite continued interruption with the computers being down a lot because of weather and equipment problems. She noted the volunteer hours are complete for 2006, but not 2007. The internet use is incomplete, but she has received wireless internet reports to integrate into the figures. She noted that March is the month when things usually start picking up, and she has already noticed that it is happening. She is not sure what to expect in the months to come.

Committee Reports

There were no Committee reports.

Public Hearing

There were no public hearings.

Old Business

A. Planning for the Future: Survey

Boardmember Hawfield commented that he talked to Sue Coble who has had interest in pursuing this project with her college students. The Board reviewed a draft outline that was provided by Boardmember Keffer and Mrs. Hill said she had some information from other library surveys. Mr. Hawfield said he would talk to Mrs. Coble again and if she is still interested. If so Library Director Hill could get the information to her. They will discuss it further at their next meeting.

There was brief discussion that Boardmember Bursch would not be seeking reappointment when his term expires this year. He said he would be available for the April meeting but would be out fishing in May.

Boardmember Bursch left at 7:37 pm.

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

The Board discussed the idea of a communication plan that would include a protocol document to outline who speaks for the Library, internal communications for the staff and Library Director and external communication providing information on how the library works and what the library has to offer. Library Director Hill agreed that a protocol document would be helpful with regard to the Friends, LAB and library staff. She has some ideas for the internal piece. Mrs. Hill commented on publicity noting things that are going on now. The Friends have a newsletter called “Wavelengths”, along with their web site. One of the new staff members is taking on the task of revising the library web site. It was noted that there is a MOU between the LAB, the Friends and the City. Boardmember Hawfield said would assist in preparing a protocol document.

New Business

A. Library Use by Young People

This topic was discussed earlier in the meeting.

Informational Materials

A. Take Back Your Library – opinion piece which ran in both local newspapers in January 2007.

Comments from the Public

There were no public comments.

Comments from the Board

Boardmember Wagner encouraged Library Director Hill to keep her chin up, good things are happening too.

Boardmember Hawfield advised the Board that he will be absent from the April meeting.

Chair Lord said she will be absent April 3^rd. She asked that if anyone is going to be absent that they let Library Director Hill know.

Boardmember Seaman asked if they could get the LAB packet by email as her work schedule makes it is difficult for her to get to City Hall before the meeting. Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen said some documents could be emailed out. There was discussion that the agendas and minutes are available on line.

Boardmember Keffer commented regarding a remark Mrs. Hill had made about kids feeling picked on because they feel they are being singled out because someone else didn’t get caught. She said she used to tell her fourth graders to try that when they got caught speeding when they are older. She said they really got it.

Library Director Hill congratulated Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen and City Clerk Johnson on their promotions. They welcomed Clerical Assistant Miller.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 pm. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for April 3, 2007 in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: