HomeMy WebLinkAbout120412Port Townsend Public Library Advisory Board Minutes
Tuesday, December 5, 2012, 4 pm, Library Learning Center
Members Present: Fran Post, Ken Dane, Eileen Price, Kiera Miller - Hodlik,
Mirandy Cook, Jennifer Cohn.
Members Absent: Nathan Allen
Staff Present: Theresa Percy
Scribe: Jennifer Cohn
Public Comment: Jim Todd, Julie Jaman attending. Both deferred comment
until the end of the meeting. They wanted to hear about how this Board is
advising the library to proceed.
Communications: Ken Dane went to the Council Meeting before Thanksgiving
and offered his comments.
Staff Report (Theresa Percy reporting): The Library was awarded a $500,000
NEH grant for constructing a new wing. This is very positive news. The
Humanities Council commented on the very high quality of the application.
$7,500 was received by the Humanities Washington Foundation. We are
waiting to hear about our application for the Paul Allen Grant for the School
Library Program. This will be a 2 -year grant and the award is $125,000.
The Carnegie Soiree on December 15 is planned. We will be able to give
brief tours of the Reading Room after the Soiree and invite potential funders to
see what this space is going to look like. Kiera will take videos and pictures at
the Soiree.
A press release will be sent and published in the Port Townsend Leader
announcing the NEH Grant award.
Circulation is down slightly at the Mountainview location. Children's story time
will be at Mountainview starting in January, so circulation will no doubt
improve when that happens.
The Library Re(a)d wine from Wind Rose is now available for purchase.
Theresa discussed how the current Jefferson County Library renovation differs
from the Carnegie Library project. It is substantially different. The County
Library will be closed for a few weeks and then materials will be moved into a
temporary space until June.
Next year will be the Centennial for the Library. Can the Advisory Board help
with this year -long event? October 14, 2013 will be the anniversary. What is
the best way to tell the story of the Library? Suggestions include to work with
MainStreet, hold programs on the Carnegie Library architecture, have a
centennial theme for the Summer Reading Programs, look at the Sequim
Centennial and see what they are doing. There will be a book launch of the
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Story of the Carnegie Library.
Foundation Report for November 26 (Jennifer Cohn reporting): Chelcie Liu
will have a letter to the editor published in the Perspectives Column of the
Leader. The Treasurer's Report showed a slight projected shortfall for the
2013 budget. An update on the Capital Campaign was given: several banks
in the area are good prospects for future donations, including OPUS Bank in
Gig Harbor, Kitsap Bank, and Peninsula Bank. Follow -up reminders on
pledges have been successful. The Soiree rsvps indicate that about 100
people will be attending, which is a good number. The Friends of the Library
are looking for new members. Their book sales have been good, and Chelcie
Liu will represent the Foundation Board at their meetings.
The Board spent some time discussing the issues faced by the City Council
related to bond issues and taxes. The community priorities include
pool /parks, the Library, roads, and fire annexation. The Board consensus is
that August would be the best time to put any Library Bond Issue on the ballot,
and will work with the community and Council members to get commitments.
Friends of the Library Report from Minutes: Three recent programs (What the
Cluck, the Tree, Planter and the Dog Trainer) were well- attended. The recent
Book Sale made $2,728.
New Business:
- We need a new Chair to replace Fran Post, whose last meeting is
today.
Many thanks to Fran for her dedication and work for this Board!
Old Business:
- The Board holiday potluck will be held at Mirandy Cook's home
January 5 at 6 pm. Board members and spouses are invited to attend.
Comments from Guests (Jim Todd and Julie Jaman):
Julie has heard from community members that a Bookmobile that could go to
Seniors locations, group homes, and day care centers would be a cost -
effective program. We discussed the existing Library outreach programs that
exist, including book deliveries to Head Start locations and day cares, as well
as Books -on- Wheels. The Library may be able to communicate these
programs better to the community and to when and where these programs are
being held.
Next Meeting: January 15, 2013
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