HomeMy WebLinkAbout011397PORT TOWNSEND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Port Townsend Library, Carnegie Room
January 13, 1997
Present: Jody Glaubman (President), Orabelle Connally, John Sullivan, Bill Maxwell,
Sarah Muirhead
Staff: Linnea Patrick (director), Carol Costello (minutes)
APPROVAL OF Nf[NUTES
It was noted that the minutes of November 25, 1996, were incorrect. Sarah Muirhead was
not present. John Sullivan made a motion to approve the November minutes as corrected.
Unanimous approval.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Linnea explained that the bills for 1996 were $868 over budget. That was almost the
exact amount that it cost the library to replace Beth de Jamette during December, when
her sick leave was unexpectedly extended beyond the period covered by the supplemental
budget appropriation.
COMMUNICATIONS
Linnea shared the article in the Peninsula Daily News regarding the leaking roof.
Performance Roofing did not charge for coming to fix the leak. Linnea will send a thank
is you from the library. She has also sent thank you notes to Chris Hanson and Jeff Phillips
for all the help they gave the library when the furnace was causing problems.
John shared an article from the Seattle Times regarding the library of the future.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
See attached report. The report does not contain a calendar of events. Linnea will put
one in everyone's basket when it is complete.
A volunteer recognition, sponsored by the Friends of the Port Townsend Library, will
occur during February or March.
The board discussed when they will be meeting, now that the Library Development Plan
Committee is almost finished with its work. Consensus: The board will meet on the
4th Monday of the month at 5:15 beginning in February.
Linnea has asked the city to do a structural study to find out if there is dry rot in the
ceiling/roof, whether the Carnegie Room can still support books if we rearrange space,
and whether the new part of the building can support a second floor.
.A O , &0/0
Circulation statistics were 45.5% higher in 1996 than in 1995. The budget increase will be
only 1.7% higher in 1997 than actual expenditures in 1996. December 1996 circulation
statistics were up 14% over December 1995. As a result the staff is really tired.
52%
• The library was closed Monday, December 30th, because the city declared it a snow day.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Orabelle stated that the communications with the Friends are much improved. Linnea
wrote a lengthy response to their letter. They are meeting tonight at the same time as this
meeting. Lynn Ring, staff member, is meeting with them to discuss the volunteer
recognition celebration.
The Friends spent $1384.68, on landscaping this fall, which includes a Trees for Port
Townsend grant.
The Friends will supply $500 to cover the cost of printing the Library Development Plan.
The will also finance a CD Rom tower for the reference area.
LIBRARY FOUNDATION
The foundation has received over $1,000 for the operating fund. They will check with a
local bank for matching funds.
Celia Hartley is being asked to join to help with planning programs for fundraising.
STAFF
• Carol Cahill is working with hospital records to attach them to CLAN. Mamie
Frederickson and Carol Baker are almost finished with the AV grant, but still need
additional shelf space for adult audio and video titles. More shelving will be built for the
videos in front of the door between existing video shelves. Carol Costello is now
working 30 hours a week and is taking an Excel class from Peninsula College. Barbara
Kaiser has been hired as a substitute. Sierra Cook has been hired as a page to replace
Nicholas Blanchard -Wright who will remain on the payroll as a substitute page.
BUDGET COMMITTEE
See attached. The fire alarm box in the staff room shorted out. It has been fixed. The
company that fixed it will be coming back soon from Port Angeles to do an annual
maintenance , checkup.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Sarah Muirhead and Bill Maxwell went to the City Council Finance Committee meeting.
On the January 15th agenda the committee will discuss a draft for structural repairs to the
library. In February they will discuss building structural analysis for the library.
If the library is going to replace the flag it will need a locking halyard.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
. Orabelle stated that there will be salary study done this year by June for the staff. Linnea
is rewriting job descriptions for the staff. The committee is going to discuss a policy on
step increases for substitutes and pages. At present there is no established policy although
the salary schedule provides for step increases.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Didn't meet. It is felt that the volunteers who serve at the circulation desk were trained
just at the right time, there is no way the staff could keep up- with check in and check out
of books given the increased usage of the library by the public.
OLD BUSINESS
The board voted on the following policy: Nothing may be offered for sale in the Library,
except materials sold by the Friends of the Port Townsend Library for the benefit of the
Library. With the permission of the Librarian, books may be autographed at the Library
by the author, providing that at least 10% of the proceeds be donated to the Friends of the
Port Townsend Library. Bill Maxwell moved to accept the policy. Unanimous approval.
Library Development Plan? Linnea shared that Phyllis Marckworth, a member of the
committee, has been impressed with the organization and pre - defined amount of time that
the meetings have taken. The committee will be meeting tonight and will meet January
27th. That will be the end of their commitment. They will be invited to attend the March
10th meeting along with the Library Board, staff, Friends, Foundation and members of the
original committees. Orabelle handed out a list of suggestions for changes to the mission
. and the goals. This will be discussed later. Linnea expressed that this diverse group of
people has been great to work with.
NEW BUSINESS
Elcadon of Officers: Orabelle nominated John Sullivan for president of the board.
Unanimous approval. Jody will take over as chair of the budget committee and as a
member of the personnel committee. Other committee assignments will remain the same.
19oud Retreat- The board scheduled Thursday, February 20th, 12 - 5 pm, as the Board
Retreat. This will serve as the work day for the Library Development Plan. Linnea will
find a location.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 6:35 pm.
NEXT MEETING: February 24, 1997, 5 :15 pm