Loading...
Minutes - 2007 - Eagle Public Library - 02/12/2007 - Regular EAGLE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES February 12, 2007 Community Room The Eagle Public Library Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Jane Marrs. Present were Board President Jane Marrs; Board Members Margo Walter, Nancy Marshall, Bobbi Olson, and Christine Edwards Allred; Library Director Ron Baker, and Children's Librarian Diane Matejka-Lund. Board Member Bobbi Olson made a motion that the Agenda be approved and Board Member Nancy Marshall seconded the motion. The Agenda was unanimously approved. Board Member Margo Walter made a motion that the Minutes be approved and Board Member Bobbi Olson seconded the motion. The Minutes were unanimously approved. Board Member Bobbi Olson made a motion to pay the bills and Board Member Nancy Marshall seconded the motion. The motion to pay the bills was unanimously approved. Friends of the Library Report Report on Children's Tech Lab from Diane Matejka-Lund Diane Matejka-Lund attended the meeting in order to speak to the importance of installing computers with educational programs designed for children into the children's area. Computers not only facilitate literacy and computer literacy learning but allow for parents' productive use of their library time while their children are productively engaged. Diane also addressed the use of space generally in the children's room. Many parents have thanked her for the change in which children's videos were moved into the children's room. In addition to this change, Diane would like to move the computers away from the wall in order to provide more shelving space for books. Diane's goal is to install three computers in the children's room. The computers are already within the approved budget. Ron anticipates that we have the funds to complete the planned additional shelving because the staff assisted in painting the children's room. Diane spoke also of the beginning of a new children's program—a puppet show. The library is trying to implement programs on days when elementary schools meet only for half a day. The puppet show will be for children of all ages. The first puppet show will be "The Three Pigs." Volunteers have built the puppet theater and sewed curtains. A volunteer will be bringing live pigs to the event. The library looks forward to using the puppet theater as an advertising tool for the summer reading program. Margo spoke of her interest in encouraging communication between the EPL and local school librarians and teachers. Diane is actively engaged in facilitating this communication in order to find out how the EPL might serve as a resource to local schools. Director's Report Director Ron Baker gave the Director's Report. State Library Commission Annual Report The EPL sent its annual report in a week ahead of deadline. Circulation numbers have remained stable for the last several months. Ron attributes this to the fact that children's programming was closed down for two months (Aug, Sept) for the migration and for frequent library closures. Patron Authentication and Home Library Issues Ron has previously discussed with the board the major problems surrounding patron authentication with the new system. The EPL is trying to install time-out software. This can only be done if the patron authentication software is functional. Other libraries who have signed contracts to allow only its own patrons to use e-books are struggling to abide by their contracts in the absence of effective patron authentication. About five years ago, four of the libraries in the Lynx System—Garden City, Ada, Boise, and Eagle—decided they would issue each other's patrons cards. This is wrecking havoc with the patron authentication software. As a result, changes to the card issuing system will be made that will mean that the library will no longer track the breakdown of EPL cardholders living in other districts. However, the library will still be compensated for circulation to patrons living outside of Eagle. Mayor's "State of City" Address and Department"Report Cards" The EPL was asked to provide information on itself for the mayor's "State of City" address. The mayor concluded to speak on certain topics, but will still be printing and providing a public summary of the EPL and other city departments. The library board will receive feedback from the public on its programs, staff, statistics, etc., as that feedback emerges. The library may consider printing copies of this prepared information and making it available to patrons. The board expressed interest in seeing the information the library prepared. Library Liaison/City Hall Report There was no Library Liaison/City Hall Report. Unfinished Business Letter to Mayor/Council on Building Issues Jane Marrs and Ron Baker prepared a letter to the Mayor addressing the issue of the library building expansion. In the letter, they present the board's conviction that this library will serve as the main Eagle Public Library. They also identify five building options—from doing nothing at the current time to expanding to a 36,000 foot building. The board raised several questions and offered several suggestions regarding the letter and agreed to revisit the letter during the March meeting. New Business Branch Standards Language in Revised Eagle Comprehensive Plan The EPL was invited to participate in a facilities planning meeting for the foothills area. However, over the last six weeks, that invitation has changed into an invitation to plan for facilities for the entire city of Eagle, not simply the foothills. The Kuna, Ada Community, Boise City, and Eagle libraries met together with state library representatives to discuss standards for library facilities that all could agree upon. Those general standards are outlined in the documents shared with the board. The EPL has made some adjustments to its standards on the basis of these discussions. Although the library has had no standards for branch development, the standards agreed upon now will become part of the comprehensive city plan in coming months. As a result, the library has real incentive to get these standards right. The board offered suggestions on the language of the standards. The board agreed to offer any additional feedback before February 23. Boise Reimbursement Contract for Next Two Fiscal Years Ron Baker provided the Boise Public Library with figures regarding Boise patrons' use of the EPL. Boise patron use of the EPL continues to grow and reached 21.3% of total EPL circulation during the 2005/06 fiscal year. The EPL's cost per circulation item is growing—from $2.12 in fiscal year 2004/05 to $2.63 in fiscal year 2005/06. Two years ago, the libraries agreed that the Boise Public Library should pay 80% of the cost per circulation. That means that the Boise Public Library would pay roughly $74,000 for the coming contract. Ron also drew the board's attention to the fact that the EPL's courier expenses are climbing. In fact, EPL, although it serves a patron base much smaller than the Meridian library, is paying for as large a courier service. Even greater than the cost of the courier service is the cost in staff time for processing all of those returned items. Ron believes that the EPL should be compensated for being Boise Public Library's book drop. Ron believes that the issue of reimbursement must include a discussion regarding these services. Wells Fargo Contract for Credit Card Service City Hall has negotiated a credit/debit system with Wells Fargo on behalf of the library. The library is currently considering implementing a credit card system so that patrons may use credit cards to pay fees and fines. Ron should have that contract for the board to review at the next meeting. Rental facility Ron has rented a 10 X 12 facility at $59/month for shelving and other items that the library does not have room to store. Ron plans to take that money out of the maintenance and operation fund for the building. Ron anticipates that there will be a surplus in that fund this year. Wright Brothers moved the materials from the container to the storage facility. Shaunna Bach's Continuing Education Contract Ron has sent a notice to the city attorney regarding the library classes that Shaunna would like to take at the U of I. Ron has not yet received the contract. Additional Items or Public Comment None. Selection of Next Meeting Date The next meeting will take place on March 12 at 7 p.m. Adjournment Board Member Christine Edwards Allred made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Board Member Margo Walters seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn the meeting was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.