HomeMy WebLinkAbout012814 special Port Townsend Library Advisory Board
Special Meeting Minutes
Date: January 28 , 2014 Time: 3:00-4:47
Location: City Hall Scribe: Lisa Crosby
Members Present: Jennifer Cohn, Lisa Crosby, Larry Fisher, Ian Keith,
Members Absent/Excused: Ann Healy-Raymond, Ellen Frick
Staff Present: Bev Shelton, Interim Library Director; Ken Clow, Public Works Director
Guests: George Randels, Jim Todd, Margaret Lee, Rick Jahnke, Charlie Bermant
1) Introductions/Welcome to guests
2) Review of Minutes from January 21, 2014 Business Meeting
Minutes were approved as amended.
3) Communications
Jennifer noted that public comments from Todd Wexman were attached to this
meeting's agenda.
Jennifer submitted a preference of February 6th, 2 PM for the State of Washington
Libraries Trustee Webinar.
4) Public Comments
Margaret Lee read a letter she prepared for the LAB. She also distributed this
letter to LAB members. Margaret expressed concern that the Library continues to
prioritize programming even though past patron surveys have shown that
programming is lower on the list of priorities than the collection and new
technologies. She expressed concern that the negative consequences of
prioritizing programming include the "desecration" of the Pink House and the
decision by the City not to reinforce the second floor of the Carnegie building. In
addition, she fears that culling the collection will lead to a collection weighted to
popular books. She asked about the possibility of a branch library for books
stored off site. Finally, she objected to the idea of the creation of a new "Local
History and Maps" collection since the Library is struggling to find room for what
it has and the Jefferson County Historical Society already has such a collection.
Rick Jahnke pointed out an error in the draft Library Profile, which Jennifer then
corrected. Rick also suggested not stressing the "three star"rating in the Library
Director Profile.
Jim Todd objected to programming being a priority when past surveys indicate it
was not. He also objected to the idea of a quiet time in the Library. He wants the
Library to have a quiet location.
5) Business
A. Final Draft of Report to Council on Move Back to Carnegie
The LAB went through the draft prepared by Jennifer and suggested some edits.
Jennifer will incorporate these into the final draft which will be presented to the
City Council at the Council's February 3, 2014 meeting.
B. Library Director Job Description and Profile
The LAB looked through the draft Job Description that Larry prepared a few
weeks ago. We also looked through the Draft Job Profile prepared by Jennifer. A
couple of edit suggestions were made and both these documents will also be
presented to the Council. Jennifer noted that the final version of the Job
Description and Profile will likely be written by the City since the LAB's versions
serve as recommendations.
C. Policy Recommendation—Recruiting Process.
The LAB discussed this matter and decided that it would be prudent to suggest the
City conduct an external search for the position of Library Director since the goal
is to seek the best candidate for the job. The LAB also agreed that this search
could and should be conducted in a financially limited way (in other words, not an
expensive search).
Jennifer said that she will present the LAB's recommendations to the City
Council on Feb 3, 2014. She invited all LAB members to attend the Council
meeting.
6) Next LAB Meeting
The LAB agreed that since the recommendations are now complete, the Board
will resume a once monthly meeting schedule on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Extra meetings will be scheduled as needed. Ian agreed to meet with the architect
once these meetings are scheduled.
Next Meeting: Tuesday February 18, 2014 3:00-5:00 PM at City Hall, Yd Floor