Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout120904Meeting of the Port Townsend Public Library Advisory Board Held at The Pink House, Port Townsend, on December 9, 2004 Board Members Present: Co- chairs Eileen Price and Kate Schumann, Deborah Carroll, Bill Maxwell, and Larry Thomas, Staff Present: Theresa Percy, Library Director (TP) Library Foundation Representative: Phyllis Schultz Friends of the Library Representative: Jody Glaubman Guests: Julia Owens The meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM. It was MSC to approve the minutes of the Library Advisory Board meetings held October 21St and November 10th, 2004, Public Comment and Communications There was a very nice public reception and evening party for Beth DeJarnette's retirement. There have been comments and questions from patrons regarding the moving of the children's space. Theresa commented that there is a need to bring the adult programming and space needs into balance with the past focus on the children's programming and space needs. Also, the upstairs space is difficult to work in for research because of poor lighting. When the changes will take place is still up in the air - -- particularly because of cost issues for new shelving. Larry Thomas and Phyllis Schultz expressed concern about how the library is addressing the needs of college students /young adults and how we can support continuing education. Friends of the Library Report Jody Glaubman reported for the Friends. She displayed the 2005 Book Lovers Calendar that the Friends are selling as a fundraiser. The Friends are having good, lively meetings and feel more connected to the library, due to improved relationships with the library staff and the board. They have joined the National Friends of the Library Organization, where they get support and fundraising ideas. There is a book giving tree in the library for the holidays, where people can donate a book to the library by giving it in someone's name. Book sale books are still being stored in Jody's garage. They will have to be moved to another location at some point in the future. Library Foundation Report Phyllis Schultz reported that the Foundation Board postponed their December 10th executive meeting to January. She reported that there is not clarity among the Foundation officers about where the Foundation fits in the order of things in relation to the library. The November 8 t Foundation meeting with Theresa, to discuss a funding feasibility study, was poorly attended. Phyllis suggested that a meeting, perhaps a retreat, take place with the Friends, the Board, the Foundation, and Theresa to clarify the direction and function of all three groups in supporting the library. Theresa said she would organize a retreat, to be held January 22 or February 5, 2005. The retreat will focus on clarifying roles in light of the new Long Range Plan and Marketing Plan. Theresa commented that the last goal of the Long Range Plan is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the library's volunteer groups. She sees the Foundation's role as a major fundraising vehicle for the library, as in a capital campaign, but observed that the Foundation appears to have an "arms- length" relationship with the library. She would like that to change. She hopes that the Foundation and the library can work together on a Library Development Plan. Directors Report Theresa reported that the Youth Services Librarian position will be filled when she gets the official OK from the city. The position is funded in the budget. Theresa requested that Board comments on the Long Range Plan draft be submitted ASAP as it is going to the City Council for approval on January 3rd, 2005. Theresa reported that she got a good feeling from the City Council at the budget hearing. She felt that there is good energy about the library. The library has a 12% increase in its budget for 2005, most of which is payroll increases (healthcare costs). Theresa is please with the Marketing Plan result. She asked that the Board read it and comment back to her, especially on the brand of "Opening Minds. Opening Lives." There is money in the Friends and library budgets to implement the marketing plan. There is also state library money that is available for marketing. The key priorities for implementation are: a Welcome Packet issued with each new library card, including brochures about ways to volunteer for the library; establishing a "look" for the library; brochures; improved signage (funded through remaining furniture grant money); customer service training (state library grant funds available for this); and a new website (once a decision is reached by David Timmons as to how closely the library website needs to match the city website format.) Theresa reported that there are two holiday programs at the library this month: a holiday party December 9`h, 3 pm to 6 pm, and a seasonal storytelling program on December 20th The NW Maritime Alliance is interested in having the Library's Maritime Collection housed at the Maritime Center. There is grant money available through the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support this. However, Theresa questions whether the PTPL maritime collection is a "premier" collection and whether it would qualify since it has to be a collection of national significance to receive these funds. There are also questions of staffing, hours of access, and space at the Maritime Center. Theresa will meet with David Timmons and Dave Robison of the Maritime Center to discuss these issues. The city agreed to pay for the maintenance of the library landscaping, rather than have library volunteers do it. The circulation desk will be moved over the January 2005 MLK weekend. A carpenter is coming to move the check -in desk back to the posts, plus a counter will be built over "the hole ". The move will cost about $500 plus $200 for the wiring. This will give the staff and public more space in front of the circulation desk. The democracy series was well attended. The next PT Library Advisory Board meeting will be Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 9:00 AM, at the Pink House, PT. The meeting was adjourned at 10.45 AM.