Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout090904Meeting of the Port Townsend Public Library Advisory Board Held at The Pink House, Port Townsend, on September 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 Guests: Julia Owens, Jim Todd The meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM. It was MSC to approve the minutes of the Library Advisory Board meeting held August 19, 2004, with the following corrections: correct the spelling of Robert Reedy's name; remove the sentence "The June statistical report will be sent to the Board."; include the last name of Hope Bodewell; The Year of Living Dangerously film event is sponsored by the Friends in conjunction with the Film Festival. It was MSC to receive the August 2004 Statistical Report. Public Comment and Communications Jim Todd raised the question of what is the chain of command when it comes to Library decision making, specifically regarding the City Council and the library fines issue. Theresa Percy answered that the library is a city department, run by the library director who reports to the city manager. The city manager reports to the City Council. The library director is advised by the PTPL Advisory Board of Directors. Kate Schumann received a compliment from out of town visitors about how wonderful our library is. Via the Watsons, Theresa Percy was put in touch with Nancy Patton of the Sno -Isle Library Foundation. She is a Development Coordinator. She is willing to share information about grant writing and research on library endowment development. Theresa will set up a meeting with her and a member of the PTPL Foundation Board. Friends of the Library Report The Friends did not have a representative at today's meeting. Theresa reported that the Friends will be reformatting their budget presentation. The Friends money should be used for special programming and items that are outside the library's operating budget. Kate Schumann reported that the Pet Pals program is gathering volunteers and training will begin as soon as possible. The library is paying for the rent at the Pope Marine Park Building for the training, but there is a question of funding for the program. A Pet Pals report will appear in a future Friends of the Library newsletter. The next book sale will be Saturday, October 9th The summer reading program for children was a success, with about 150 children participating. Theresa reported that she will be working with the children's librarians to review and revamp the children's program as necessary. Library Foundation Report There was no Foundation representative at today's meeting. Theresa Percy reported that a draft of the $1 Million Capital Campaign report, prepared by the Foundation, will be discussed at the next Foundation meeting. Bill Maxwell discussed with the Board that raising endowment funds is different than running a capital campaign for a new building (or remodel). He suggests that the Foundation may want to consider having a capital funds committee that is separate from their regular endowment building committee. Directors Report Theresa Percy discussed with the board why City Council approval is required to begin collecting fines on overdue videos. The discussion included how fines and overdue materials are handled. The staff will hold a space usage meeting on October 16th, 8 am to noon, at the library. Hope Bodewell the new library director at the Munson Library, will attend as the space consultant and facilitator. The Board is encouraged to attend. The priorities for the workshop will be 1) moving adult fiction upstairs and arranging a gathering space near the fireplace; 2) moving reference and non - fiction into the current childrens area; 3) the small downstairs room will be the childrens area and the childrens programming area; and 4) try to use the main door upstairs. Wednesday, September 15th, from 3 to 5 PM, the Long -Range Plan Committee will meet to crystallize goals and formalize the wording for the long -range plan. Bill, Kate, and Eileen will attend to represent the Board. The finalized plan will come to the Board for comments, then go to David Timmons, then to the City Council for adoption. The feasibility of a new building vs. a significant remodel was discussed. The survey showed that 93% of the people responding like the library location as it is. Staff reviews will be done this fall. The question was raised as to how volunteers are thanked for their work at the library when they retire. Theresa will look into this and report back to the Board. "The Year of Living Dangerously" is the film the Friends will sponsor in conjunction with the PT Film Festival on November 7th. Book and ticket packages will be available by September 27th. Several speakers have been lined up for a panel discussion afterward. The organization of book groups begins next Tuesday. On September 11th, there will be a Democracy Information Fair at the library. Theresa is considering including the library in the city's Community Block Grant program in order to raise funds. The next PT Library Advisory Board meeting will be Thursday, October 14, 2004 at 9:00 AM, at The Pink House, PT. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.