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PORT TOWNSEND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Port Townsend Library
March 22, 1999
Present: John Sullivan (President), Bill Maxwell, Sarah Muirhead, Eileen Price, Kate
Schumann
Staff: Linnea Patrick (Director), Carol Costello (minutes)
Guests: Allen Frank (City Council), Tim McMahan (City Attorney)
President John Sullivan called the meeting to order at 5:15 PM. Allen Frank, city council
member, was introduced. Allen is the city council liaison to the library board.
Tim presented the Library Board Ordinance, which he recently drafted with suggestions from
Linnea and Stan McNutt. After a few questions the board decided that the policy covered the
situation very nicely. The first reading to the council will be at the council's first meeting in
April and adoption will be voted on at their second meeting in April.
Communications: There were no written communications to the board. Kate reported that
several people approached her concerning the adult spaces in the library. She wondered how she
should respond to the questions. Linnea answered by telling her about the Library Development
Plan that included 30 -40 local citizens. It was their decision to arrange the library in the current
manner. The library also now complies with the regulations from the Americans with
Disabilities Act for spacing between shelves, turning space for wheelchairs, etc.
Bill said that people have mentioned to him about how wonderful the staff and library are now.
They are concerned with the population decrease of children on the peninsula and wonder how
that will affect the library.
Eileen expressed concern about telephone usage for young patrons. Linnea told her that since we
have no public phone in the library, staff members will make calls for people who need rides.
For other uses patrons are encouraged to use the public phone across the street at the fire station.
U.S. West will not install a pay phone at the library without charging us for having it here.
Public comment: Allen expressed appreciation for the board. The group discussed the
importance of citizens taking part in local government. Those present are convinced that the
library building's interior is in good shape now, except for space, and will only need routine
maintenance in the near future. Exterior stucco -work and painting this spring will finish the
upgrade of the building begun in 1998.
Director's report: Admiralty Landscaping has been working hard on the re- landscaping of the
grounds. Unfortunately the crew damaged the main water pipe. The landscaping firm covered
expenses for the plumbing repairs.
The changes to the building were recently inspected by the city, and most work was approved.
Friends: Kate reported that the Friends raised $1400 for the library from their recent booksale.
The group has been discussing ways to help children celebrate when they receive their first
library card. Ideas included having a hole punched in the library card so that the child could
wear it around his/her neck, special monthly book plates honoring children who received their
first cards, and a puzzle /toy activity center for the very young children who come. to the library
with older siblings.
Foundation: At their most recent meeting, the Foundation elected the following officers:
President Phyllis Schultz, Treasurer Marion Rideout, and Secretary Beverly Shelton.
The Foundation received $1400 as memorials to Bob Polishuk. The money will be used in an
endowment fund, earnings from which will be used to purchase compact discs and printed music
for the library. Bob's CD and musical score collections were donated to the library and will soon
be available for patrons to borrow.
Bill moved to name the new music collection "The Polishuk Music Collection." Unanimous
approval.
Sarah will contact Centrum about the possibility of visiting artists being asked to donate CDs to
this collection.
Staff: A library volunteer appreciation was held March 14` ". Sixteen volunteers received
of recognition for 100 hours during the last year and a half. Five people volunteered more than 200
hours during that same time period. Each of those volunteers will have their name placed in a
book to honor their work. Lavender and Thyme provided musical entertainment.
Beth sent several items for the board to see. These included a flyer for the Homeschool Story
and Activity Hour, held once a month, taught by staff member Dahti Blanchard; a flyer
announcing the restarting of the Chess Club beginning March 24a', a flyer announcing the
reading of R.K. Rowling's new book, "Harry Potter is Back "; several brochures on internet
usage for youth; and final grant reports to the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation and the D.V.
and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Trust.
Budget Report: Linnea has posted a flyer for the public regarding the change in the library book
budget for 1999. The library received a donation of a chair and hassock last week. Orabelle
Connally donated two chairs to the library.
Building: Sarah reported that the Building Committee for the next long -range plan has had its
first meeting. They have requested a copy of the city's `Building Safety Committee Study."
They formulated some very preliminary ideas and will meet again in April.
Community Relations: Bill has asked that the board sign up to attend two city council meetings
each during the next ten months. The list will be copied for the city council members. Bill and
city councilor Geoff Masci had lunch and discussed expectations and hopes for the library.
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New business: National Library Week is April 11`x' — 17`h this year. Because the Jefferson
County Rural Library District will be celebrating its 20`h anniversary that week, the Port
Townsend Library will not plan major activities. We will have a large signup list posted for
patrons to list their favorite books or authors as we have done for the past two years.
Since several library board members will be gone or just returning on the regular April meeting
date, the next scheduled meeting will be May 24`h at 5:15 PM, unless business arises that
requires an April 26 meeting.
Linnea hopes that the exterior painting of the building will be finished in time for Rhody Week.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 PM.
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