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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051612r 4 Port Townsend Library Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 16, 2012 Present: Eileen Price, Fran Post, Kiera Miller, Ken Dane, Keith Darrock Appointment of Ken Dane recorder Public No public comment. Communications Mirandy reported on observations she had heard in the community regarding the Pink House renovation. Specifically, that people seemed impressed with the layout and how well the space seemed to be working. Friends, There Friends book sale is scheduled for June 9. They need books Foundation for the sale if anyone has any to donate. There is some concern reports among the friends that the current location for donations may be a barrier. . The foundation is proceeding to work with EasyWare as its fundraising software and is trying to arrange the purchase of a new computer and movement of the existing online QuickBooks to a locally PC -based QuickBooks. The foundation also reports the submission of a grant to the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant application was for $500,000 to be matched by $1.5 million from the community. There are several sources of funds for the match. The library was also successful in obtaining a $375,000 heritage capital grant which can be used as part of the match for NEH. A voted bond in the city would also serve as match for the NEH funding. For co-op shoppers, the library foundation is on the beans program this month. Staff reports Keith Darrock, representing the library, reported on the move to the temporary space. The move itself went well, but early returns indicate that circulation is off a bit. Some of this is expected, particularly since the library was closed for a time after the move. In general discussion, members of the board noted that it was a bit difficult to access the space particularly with children and that the space doesn't look as inviting which may be leading to some dip in use. Keith noted the library was holding an open house on June 1 from 2 to 5 and hoped that would expose the community to the facility. Mirandy noted that there are some issues with the children's area at the library and overlap with the food bank on Wednesdays. She also noted that books available for story time for kids can be checked out to the Pink House. 40 Director's report There was no separate directors report this month. Port Townsend Library Advisory Board Old business. The library advisory board has lost several members this year. We have a new member, Kiera Miller, who is awaiting confirmation by the city Council. We still need two new members. One suggestion was a young man named Nathan Allen. Nathan is a high school student who is serving on the library planning group. There appear to be no limitations on the age of members of the committee and having representation from a person within the school system may be very valuable. New business It appears that the city will propose a voted bond to fund the restoration and reconstruction of the Carnegie library. There seem to be some issues surrounding whether this bond would be proposed during the November election cycle or wait until later in February 2013. After some discussion, the sense of the advisory board was that November would be a better time for the bond. While the timing was tight, the occurrence of the bond vote at the same time as the presidential election should bring out more voters. The library is planning a holiday ball for December 15, 2012. The ball will be a formal affair held in the Carnegie room from 8 PM to midnight. Next meeting The next meeting is scheduled for July 17. •