The Bettendorf Public Library Board of Trustees met in the Elizabeth Malmros Conference Room at 4:30 p.m. Those members present were Harrison, Cruise, Hartsock, Korndorf, Voigt. Absent were Brandtner and Laas. Staff members present were Clow, Chumbley, Madesian, Martin, Barrett.

President Harrison stated that if there were no additions or corrections to the Agenda, it would stand approved.

President Harrison stated that if there were no additions or corrections to the Minutes of the March 9, 2000 meeting, the Minutes would stand approved.

Board members initialed justification sheets and checks were signed for this month's Board bills.

President Harrison asked if anyone wished to speak during the Public Forum portion of the meeting. There were no respondents.

The Director passed around a folder of correspondence.

The Director presented the Board with copies of the current fiscal report. The Director stated that 83% of the year has past and 78% of the budget has been expended.

Scott Voigt reported for the Community/City Relations Committee, stating that he and the Director met with the proprietor of the Novel Caf , Lori Freemire, to discuss her request to change the current lease agreement to state that all meeting room users procure products from the cafe when available. After a discussion with Ms. Freemire, it was determined that the lease agreement would remain the same and that packets with informational literature for both the library and the caf will be prepared and given to future meeting room users. A letter on library stationary encouraging meetings to utilize the cafe will also be included in the packet.

Board Member Voigt also presented copies of the Meeting Room Policy with proposed changes. Most of the changes are proposed for clarification of the policy such as statements as to sale of items/money raising, final authority, and questions concerning storage of equipment and placement of items on walls and doors.

After a brief discussion it was determined that an additional sentence stating that the library has the right to end a meeting at any time should be added.

On motion by Cruise, seconded by Hartsock that the Board accept the Meeting Room Policy as proposed with changes. Vote: Ayes: Harrison, Cruise, Hartsock, Korndorf, Voigt. Nays: None. Absent: Brandtner, Laas. The motion carried.

Sara Hartsock reported for the Employee Appreciation/Recognition Committee stating that she and the Director met this morning to discuss the most appropriate way to recognize the Norman J. Kelinson Scholarship Fund and its recipients. They met with a representative from the sign company that prepared the signs for the donors of the Library Fund. From this meeting it was determined that an oval sign, similar in size to the Library Fund signs, would be constructed and inscribed denoting the scholarship by name and with a likeness of Mr. Kelinson. Under that sign, a smaller sign will be placed each year with the name of the recipient.

In addition to this, Hartsock reported that it is time to begin preparation of the annual staff appreciation dinner. Some staff input has caused Hartsock to question whether the staff wishes to continue having the dinner at the Duck Creek Lodge or to alternate between using the lodge and having a dinner at a restaurant. A staff inquiry sheet for further input will be circulated and more information should be available at the May meeting.

Tom Cruise reported for the Intellectual Freedom Committee. He demonstrated on his laptop computer how he has downloaded Stephen King's book of stories entitled Riding the Bullet. This new novel will not be published in paper and will be available only through this downloading process. It was stated that the library has a link on the web page under What's New that will direct them to the software needed to download the story. They can also access it through Amazon.com. It was discussed how in the future electronic materials such as these that are not available in paper form, may impact libraries.

No report from the Personnel Committee.

No report from the Planning Committee.

Tom Cruise reported for the Library Fund. He provided the Board with copies of the Library Fund Report, showing dollar amount results of the various fundraising efforts of the Fund.

Cruise also stated that at the Fund meeting a discussion was held as to a possible consideration that the library and museum consider changing their names to help promote the Learning Campus concept. The Learning Campus would be tied into both names; i.e. The Learning Campus Public Library, the Learning Campus Family Museum. The theory behind this is that the Library Fund is trying to meet a one million-dollar endowment level. At the current time the endowment is at $600,000. It is felt that if the area of the library and museum were to be branded as the Learning Campus Library and Learning Campus Museum, it will become more established as an area entity and help draw money outside Bettendorf.

Staff person Gina Barrett reported that the Friends had a very successful Book Fair on April 7, 8, and 9, netting them over $4,000 which is one of the most successful Book Fairs ever. At the April 4 Friends meeting they agreed to sponsor $7,740 in library materials and programming. Over $4,000 of that amount is earmarked for prizes for all the Summer Reading Programs: juvenile, young adult and adult. The annual membership campaign is still going very well and they have received over 500 memberships for a total net of over $5,700 after expenses for the mailing. The President once again expressed the Board's thanks for the support given to the library by the Friends.

A discussion was held concerning the service adjustments presented at the March meeting. Councilpersons have received copies of the proposed changes. The Library Board discussed the possible impacts that the proposed changes could incur. After some discussion, the Board felt that before implementing any of the changes, representatives from the Board should ask for time before the City Council at an upcoming Policy Meeting to discuss the possible impact of the changes and what the Council perceives in the future for the library.

The Board discussed the possibility of changing the meeting time of the Board Meetings. President Harrison stated that some of the meetings are now running longer and with a starting time of 4:30 p.m., the meetings might be an interruption of membersí dinner times or evening meetings. It was considered that a change in time to 4:00 p.m. might be helpful or changing the meeting time to an evening time of 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. After some discussion by members, it was determined that the 4:30 p.m. starting time would remain.

The Director reported to the Board concerning the city's salary study report. With many questions about the plan unanswered on the parts of both the city and employees, the City Administrator will most likely appoint an employee committee that will attempt to get additional data for clarification of pay ranges.

The Director presented the Board with copies of the Scribe Anthology, the annual publication of young adult materials submitted by area youth grades 6 - 12. Young Adult Librarian Maria Wegscheid coordinates the project as well as hosting a reception where the authors of the Scribe can read their own short stories, essays and poetry.

The Director informed the Board that she has been asked to serve on a statewide committee based in Des Moines that will meet to research electronic databases that might be implemented in the future throughout the State, similar to the Electric Library and Iowa Link programs.

Staff persons Tami Chumbley, Marj Martin and Rita Rosauer gave brief PLA Conference reports to the Board. Copies of their written reports will be emailed to the Board.

Karen Madesian informed the Board that the library participated in the Check It Out Yourself Day program sponsored by the 3M Company. This one-day contest was held on Monday, April 10 and 163 people used the self-check machine that day. The libraryís name, as a participant, is placed in a drawing with the 3M Company and will find out this week which libraries have won the drawings.

Madesian also informed the Board that patrons may now renew materials through their home account online and by telephone.

The library's annual inservice day will be Friday, April 28.

As there was no further business before the Board at this time, the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gina Barrett
In Absence of Secretary