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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2002-04-10CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 10, 2002 Library Advisory Board Main Fire Station Present: Colleen Bennett, Anne Dickason, V'Anne Didzun, Bill Gallagher, and Maria Meneghin Staff Present: Donna Ainslie, Jackie Rose, Jan Erickson, and Joyce Niewendorp Others Present: John Broderick Excused: Benjamin Sostrin Absent: Jerry Fletcher The Library Advisory Board meeting was called to order by Chair Colleen Bennett at 7:01 p.m. 7:00 PM Welcome and Introductions Chair Bennett welcomed John Broderick, the President of the Friends of the Library and a former Library Advisory Board Chair. She complimented the Friends on their newsletter and thanked the Friends for mentioning the music program. Correspondence/Announcements Chair Bennett said that she writes the Library Corner for the newsletter published by LONAC, the neighborhood association that meets once a month. She includes things like the music program at the library, Art in the Stacks, circulation records, Library Board information, and Joint Library Task Force information. Public Comment/Issues John Broderick stated that membership to the Friends of the Library is open to anyone who is interested in the library. He stated he has application forms with him and they are also available at the library and the Booktique. The Friends are also planning to have a book sale in the fall to move some of the duplicate copies of bestsellers. This sale will be in addition to the Oregon Book Fair. Chair Bennett stated that the Library Advisory Board appreciates the grant from the Friends for the music program. Marie Meneghin asked John Broderick when the Friends last raised their dues. He responded that he is not certain, but the Friends would rather have more members than the funds raised from membership dues. The Friends receive most of their money from the Booktique. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 10, 2002 Library Advisory Board Main Fire Station 7:15 PM Review Agenda — No adjustments made. Approval of March 20, 2002 Minutes Anne Dickason made a motion, seconded by V'Anne Didzun, to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2002 Library Advisory Board meeting. The motion carried. Director's Report Library Maintenance Co -Director Rose distributed a handout from Chris Jordan outlining the Library Advisory Board's budget recommendations for fiscal year 2002-2003. Chair Bennett asked if the requested $3,000 has been put into the budget for the Board's fundraising. Co -Director Ainslie responded that the $3,000 is being set aside from the library's budget for this use. Chair Bennett stated that the Citizens Budget Committee begins its meetings on April 15, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fire Station. She encouraged the Board members to attend the first meeting. She asked that the Board note one correction to the estimated building/maintenance figures she included with her letter to Mayor Hammerstad. The estimated figures are actually Rachael Fisher's figures, not Bainbridge's figures. Co -Director Ainslie stated that the City recommended the Bainbridge proposal not be included with the budget proposal for the library, but be presented as an Issues and Options paper for consideration by the Citizens Budget Committee. The City Council can decide to include this in the budget or fund it another way if they see this as a priority. Bill Gallagher asked if the Board members should lobby the Citizens Budget Committee or City Council. The consensus was that the lobbying should begin with the Budget Committee. Jackie Rose pointed out that the issues and options presented are adjustable. City Council can decide to fund a portion of the amount requested. Colleen Bennett said she plans to attend the Citizens Budget Committee meeting to determine if the Board can play a role in the budget considerations. Jackie Rose stated that staff submitted the budget. Except for requests for clarification, staff's responsibility is finished until budget revisions are called for. Donna Ainslie pointed out that if the Budget Committee has questions about the remodeling, CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 10, 2002 Library Advisory Board Main Fire Station the City would probably ask Rachael Fisher to respond as she is the most knowledgeable. Chair Bennett stated that she is encouraged because the Board's request is included. Donna Ainslie stated that she is grateful the City is advocating for the library. Co -Director Rose mentioned that Mary Jo Scott recently retired from the library. An open house was held at the library and a retirement party given at the Adult Community Center for this well -loved employee. Jackie Rose stated that the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) gave the library an Arts in Libraries grant that was matched by a grant from the Friends of the Library. Through these grants totaling approximately $8,000, the Youth Services Department provided 29 programs for children and teens during the past two years. RACC will not be renewing this grant. Jackie Rose said that the library fire alarms are working. They were recently tested when dust from the bathroom remodeling set off the alarms. The Lake Oswego Fire Department responded to the alarm. She gave an update on the bathroom remodeling taking place on the main floor of the library. The plumbing problems are not as extensive as expected, so the project should be completed within a couple of weeks. Co -Director Rose stated that the children's room walls have been painted in preparation for the artwork to be provided by a grant from the Friends. The bulletin boards will go back up, once new fabric is found to cover them. Co -Director Rose stated that Jan Erickson continued her outreach to the First Wednesday program at the Heritage House by promoting the library's collection of romance novels. Ms. Rose stated that at the last Board meeting, the library received suggestions about additional outreach to the business community. Jan Erickson stated that she contacted the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was anxious to have the library submit a column on a regular basis. Greg Cutting, a reference librarian, submitted the first column entitled, "Taking Care of Business at the Library." He featured some of the library's electronic resources, including Reference USA, which can be accessed from home or office. This is a compilation of business and residential information. Mr. Cutting also featured two in-house databases that are available only at the library. One is Standard and Poors, which CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 10, 2002 Library Advisory Board Main Fire Station contains a great deal of financial information and competitive analysis information on different companies. He also featured the manufacturers' directory, which is the Thomas Register. Jan Erickson said her next plan is to have one of the librarians make a presentation, once the library's redesigned Web page is ready. The presentation will feature how to access business information. The Web page will provide the capability to Ask a Librarian, by allowing submission of reference questions via the Web page. Maria Meneghin asked Ms. Erickson if she has an estimate of when the Web site changes will be made. Ms. Erickson responded they hope to have it up by June. Co -Director Rose stated that the Joint School/Library Task Force meeting is tomorrow night. At the request of the Task Force, the public librarians and school librarians will explain how each of the operations are run. She said that she and Jan Erickson will speak on behalf of the City. After meeting with the school librarians, they decided to present topics such as library mission, intellectual freedom, the Internet, and collection development. The public librarians will explain each issue as it relates to the public library and then the school librarians will address the same issue as they relate to the school library. This will show the approaches of the different librarians. Ms. Rose stated that the librarian's role in the public library is a neutral role. They try not to evaluate or judge appropriateness regardless of age. They do not monitor minor Internet usage. They are information brokers, not gatekeepers. In the school library, librarians consider themselves teachers. They might ask a student if their mother knows they are checking something out or question whether or not material is at the student's reading level. Anne Dickason asked if the school librarians are in favor of the joint facility. Donna Ainslie responded that she does not think it is the librarians that will make that decision. Colleen Bennett responded that she can speak as a member of the Task Force. Some very good questions are being raised by the Task Force. There are still a lot of questions to be answered. Some of the Task Force members want some details. They are told not to worry about the details, just the concept. Jan Erickson stated that one of the important things for the public library and the school library to point out are their missions. 4 CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 10, 2002 Library Advisory Board Main Fire Station Co -Director Ainslie mentioned that the Board members will soon receive, if the haven't already, invitations to the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 26, 2002 at the Country Club. This is an annual event to honor the library's volunteers. June Survey Chair Bennett asked if they have heard anything more about a City survey. Co -Director Rose responded that she has asked the question. When she receives an answer, she will e-mail the response to Board. Colleen Bennett mentioned that John Broderick suggested the Friends put a survey in the Friends' newsletter. 7:45 PM May Meeting Schedule Retreat Chair Bennett said that Judy Clarke is scheduled to facilitate the Board retreat. Colleen Bennett said that Maria Meneghin raised the question of what the expectations are of the retreat. The Board discussed possible issues to raise at the retreat, including Board roles and responsibilities, future needs for the library, strategy for planning a new library, and examples of libraries funded by capital funding projects. The consensus of the Board was to cancel the Board retreat. Co -Director Ainslie stated that she thinks funding issues are going to be coming up. The question is whether all the libraries will go out for a library district for a funding mechanism or will they go for a serial levy. Putting together a district package will take quite a bit of work. She does not think anything will go onto the ballot until 2004. The board can be instrumental in this process by making phone calls, campaigning, going door-to-door, and passing out pamphlets in front of stores. Board Meeting The Library Advisory Board decided to hold the next regular Board meeting on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at the library in the conference room. Maria Meneghin stated that two important things came out of the discussion about whether or not to have a retreat. She suggests that a semi-permanent item on the agenda could be exploring alternate funding sources for a new library. The other would be to try to find ways to build groundswell for a new library. Colleen Bennett responded that marketing, funding, and long range planning are part of the Work Plan. She thinks it is a good idea to have a standing discussion. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO Library Advisory Board 8:00 PM Work Plan April 10, 2002 Main Fire Station Chamber Newsletter Chair Bennett talked to the Chamber of Commerce about getting labels for a mailing. The Chamber does not like to give out their labels for fundraising, but Chris Hoffinan suggested they put a flyer in the newsletter. The Chamber suggested they could put the endowment pitch on one part of the flyer in addition to the information about what the library can do for businesses. The cost is $185.00. Colleen Bennett addressed Jan Erickson and said the column she spoke of earlier is so much better. Chair Bennett said that she thinks the Board should send personal letters to the businesses rather than something on a flyer. She suggested they wait until they get a little information about what the library can do for businesses before sending out any letters. The Board agreed to send out letters to the businesses in the fall. Bill Gallagher asked if they could receive a copy of the Chamber article. Jan Erickson agreed to send it to everyone. 8:20 PM Music and Art Programs Chair Bennett stated that there is one more music program, a Peruvian program, scheduled at the library. V'Anne Didzun asked what a remodeling project will do to the music program. Jackie Rose responded that a remodeling project would not affect the music program. V'Anne Didzun stated that she has enough performers for next year. Colleen Bennett thanked the Friends for supporting the music program. Chair Bennett stated that Herald Campbell's photography exhibit will go up the end of April, after Jean Ye's exhibit comes down. Colleen Bennett said that she called the City when she noticed the three First Tuesday banners came down from State Street. The City is getting ready for the Market. She said the banners may or may not reappear, but they will go up again in the fall. 8:30 PM Other Comments/Issues Chair Bennett said that she is going to the OLA/WLA Conference later in the month. Ben Sostrin and John Broderick are also attending the conference. Ms. Bennett stated that she enjoyed the OLA Quarterly that just came out. V'Anne Didzun asked what is happening with hiring a permanent library director. Colleen Bennett responded that after the beginning 6 CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 10, 2002 Library Advisory Board Main Fire Station of the new fiscal year, July 1, Janice Deardorff has been instructed to look for a permanent director. A new director will probably not be in place until the end of December or the beginning of January. 8:45 PM Adjourn The Library Advisory Board meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joyce Niewendorp Recording Secretary