HomeMy WebLinkAbout032201PORT TOWNSEND LJBRARY BOARD MEETING
Port Townsend Library
18 March 22, 2001
Present: President Bill Maxwell, Sarah Muirhead, Kate Schumann, Larry Thomas, Eileen Price
Staff: Linnea Patrick (Director), Carol Costello (minutes), Beth deJarnette, Carol Baker
Guests: Karen Long and Karen McKenna (Friends), Julia Owens
President Bill Maxwell called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. The minutes were approved as
read.
Communications: Linnea read a note from a visitor who was very grateful for the library
services, and had made donations to the quilt fundraiser and the holiday giving tree.
Linnea received a letter of complaint regarding a regular user of the library and the restroom.
Linnea explained how she intended to respond to the letter and the board agreed with her.
The group began a discussion of the Once in a Lifetime Book Boost, as Bill had to leave early.
Sarah showed the buttons and thank you cards that Karen McKenna, and Eileen and her children
have made.
The checking account has not been opened yet. It will be under the Friends of the Port
Townsend Library umbrella at the bank in order to be able to use their tax identification number.
Checks should be written to "PT Library Book Boost." Bill will write a letter of explanation to
potential donors. Kate will ask Gale Wallis to activate her e-mail list of people interested in
library news from last fall, and will ask her to send the letter along to them. Karen McKenna
will include the letter in the next Friends newsletter.
Ideas for the Book Boost:
• Sale of surplus Washington State Library maritime books during the Classic Mariners
Regatta on June 2nd
• Donation awareness tables at the Co -op, QFC, and Safeway
• Readings at the Upstage
• Laura Popenoe will hold an art show at the Bishop Victorian Suites beginning May 5`h. She
has graciously agreed to donate 50% of the proceeds to the Book Boost. Kate will give a
Book Boost button to Laura and to Joe Finnie, owner of the Bishop, during the reception.
Book Boost Committee Tasks:
• Sarah, chair and record keeper
• Karen McKenna, designer of donor cards, thank you notes and buttons
• Carol Baker and Linnea will handle the Maritime Book Sale
• Eileen and her children made the buttons
• Staff member Carol Costello will make bookplates for the books.
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Staff member Jean Terascio will be asked to help in the design of the book "thermometer"
poster
The money for the Book Boost needs to be raised before the end of September. The money will
be spent by the end of December.
Karen McKenna brought a suggestion from the Friends regarding their next garage sale. The
Friends have offered to have the proceeds from the sale go to the Book Boost. The board
members would need to participate. It was decided that the board members will not participate,
but thanks for the suggestion were offered to the Friends.
The Friends will apply for a booth at the Jefferson County Fair to be held in August. It is not
certain whether or not money for the Book Boost will be accepted there.
Director's Report: The city public works director has inspected the library's front door. It will
cost $3300 to replace the door but he agrees that it needs to be done.
The City Council has re- established the Library Board of Trustees by resolution instead of by
ordinance. One addition section 2.b.6 "Performance measurements of the library operation" has
been added. Any letter commenting on city policy written to the newspaper as a library board
will have to be approved by the City Manager. Individual board members are free to write
whatever they please, but may not sign the letter as a board member.
• Linnea told the board that we are beginning to see the effect of the staff cuts for this budget year.
If more than one staff member at a time is absent, then people have to wait longer to be helped,
phone go unanswered, etc.
The Friends of the Library and the City Administration have purchased a Minolta
microfilm/fiche reader printer for the library.
Friends: Karen McKenna reported that the Friends have ordered new book bags. They will be
sold for $10 apiece. The group discussed ideas about how to encourage more people to join the
Friends of the Library. The last book sale raised about $1800.
Foundation: No report
Staff: Beth has applied for a grant from the State Library, which will provide $3000 worth of
books and videos on parenting, Spanish language books, board books and picture books for ages
0 — 5. The books will arrive in July.
Jean Terascio has joined the library staff as senior library associate in children's services. Jean
has worked as a rare book conservator, an early childhood educator, an intern at the Library of
Congress, and most recently as an Artist in Residence in schools in several states.
Committee Reports: None
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Old Business; Tax alternatives for future funding, postponed pending additional information
from the City Manager.
New Business: Since Linnea will be gone for the next Board meeting April 26`", there will be a
special meeting of the Book Boost Committee instead of a full board meeting agenda.
Board and committee members were reminded to tell Sarah whom they wish to approach for
Book Boost donations.
Adjourned 10:35 AM.
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