HomeMy WebLinkAbout011414 Port Townsend Library Advisory Board
Special Meeting Preliminary Minutes
Date: January 14, 2014 Time: 3:00-5:00
Location: City Hall Scribe: Lisa Crosby
Members Present: Lisa Crosby, Larry Fisher, Ian Keith, Jennifer Cohn
Members Absent/Excused: Ann Healy-Raymond, Ellen Frick
Staff Present: Bev Shelton, Interim Library Director; Ken Clow, Public Works Director;
Guests: Chelcie Liu, Beth Mackey, George Randels, Sheila Khalov, Jim Todd, Janie
Kimball, Stan Goddard
1) Introductions/Welcome to guests
2)Public Comments
No public comments (some made later on in meeting).
3) Review of minutes from January 10, 2014 meeting.
Minutes approved
4) Business
A. Move Back to Carnegie
Bev talked about the previous week's January 10, 2014 LAB meeting.
Jennifer reminded the LAB members of what is being asked of us in regards to
providing the Council with conceptual guidelines for moving back into the
Library. She also mentioned that our job isn't over after offering these guidelines
since we will continue to offer input during the design development.
LAB members looked at the 4 assumptions enumerated in the Library Staff's
"Library Space and Service Priorities and Policies" document (presented at the
1/10/14 LAB meeting). Assumption 1, "Long-range planning to happen after we
move home," and assumption 3, "The spaces will be flexible and adaptable to
change; nothing written in stone,"both seemed acceptable to members as written.
LAB members agreed that Assumption 2, "There will not be a major push for
expansion in the next 5-7 years," and assumption 4, "Floor loading limits use of
upstairs,"both required additional wording. Ian offered to work up some
language.
LAB members then discussed children's and teen space. Discussion on service
and space priorities will resume at the next meeting.
B. New Position Open on Library Advisory Board.
Jennifer noted that the LAB has a vacancy following Kiera Miller Hodlik's
resignation. Kiera resigned because of time constraints and personal needs that
prevent her from continuing on the Board. In the meantime the City, Mayor and
LAB will work together to find a replacement for the position.
There are now only two members of the Personnel committee on the Board. If
anyone on the Board is interested in volunteering for the committee, they are very
welcome.
C. Library Director Job Description
Jennifer reviewed the work assignment the Council has given us related to the
Library Director, and explained the process the committee is following:
reviewing public records and best practices in hiring and employing a library
director, reviewing job descriptions, qualifications and salaries from communities
similar to ours, conducting interviews and having informal conversations with
community stakeholders and library staff members on issues related to the library,
documenting and collating these responses for the record, drafting a new job
description, using that job description to inform the draft of a library director
profile which we will provide to the Council and the City, and then recommend
considerations to be addressed in the hiring process.
She provided some of the best practices and recommendations from two widely
used sources, one of them the Washington State Standards related to hiring a
library director."
Larry described how he wrote the draft Library Director Job Description. He
spent many hours meeting with various stakeholders including council members,
the mayor, and Library patrons. He also did a lot of online research. He aimed to
come up with a job description particular to the needs and characteristics of our
town. He asked that other LAB members look over the job description and send
him any suggestions by using the Markup feature of Word to alter the document.
5) Additional Public Comment time
George Randels offered his thanks to Bev and to LAB members. He also agreed
with Jennifer's remarks that Port Townsend is a town that can draw fine job
candidates;people want to come here.
Stan Goddard clarified that when it comes to floor loading capacity, it is
important to understand that this means distributed loads.
6) Agenda items for next meeting
We discussed that we only had 2 more meetings before the end of January when
we will make our recommendations to the City Council. The goal for our next
meeting is to finish up with the space and service priorities recommendations.
It will also be a regular business meeting so monthly reports will be made.
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Business Meeting. 3:00-5:00 City Hall