The Bettendorf Public Library Board of Trustees met in the Elizabeth Malmros Conference Room at 4:30 p.m. Those members present were Harrison, Brandtner, Hartsock, Korndorf, Laas, Voigt. Cruise attended via telephone conferencing. Staff members present were Clow, Chumbley, Madesian, Martin, Rosauer, 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 November 19, 1998 meeting, the Minutes would stand approved.
Board members initialed justification sheets and checks were signed for this monthís Board bills.
President Harrison asked if anyone wished to speak during the Public Forum portion of the meeting.
President Harrison introduced, to those Board Members who did not know, former Board Member of forty years, Norman Kelinson. He stated that Norm had resigned from the Library Board because he had recently moved to the City of Davenport.
The Director shared correspondence received with the Board. She directed attention to the fact that the Scott County Regional Authority awarded a $20,000 grant to the library for fiction materials.
The Directorís stated that with 50% of the year passed, 43.56% of the budget has been expended.
A new list for committee assignments was distributed. A change needed to be made removing Scott Voigt as chair of the Library Fund. His business invests for the Library Fund and he cannot hold this position as a representative of the Board.
No report from the Bylaws Committee.
No report from the Community/City Relations Committee.
No report from the Staff Appreciation/Recognition Committee.
No report from the Intellectual Freedom Committee.
No report from the Learning Campus Committee.
Board Member Korndorf reported for the Personnel Committee that there had been no response to the union grievance by the Library Clerks.
No report from the Planning Committee.
Board Member Brandtner reported that the Library Fund held a quarterly meeting on December 7. The main topic of conversation was the success of Doodle Day. At this time they have determined that they will have one every other year and have set a date of November 12, 2000 as the next Doodle Day. Scott Voigt had given a brief presentation on current market strategies and reported that the Library Fund value is currently at $523,000.
Staff person Gina Barrett reported that The Friends met on December 1, and agreed to support nearly $4,700 in materials and programming for the library, including the support of a Murder Mystery Party to be held in the library at the end of the Winter Reading Program. The President asked that the Boardís thanks be passed to the Friends.
The Director reviewed with the Board for their approval the rewritten Outreach Services Policy, which states what services the library currently provides.
On motion by Laas, seconded by Cruise, that the Board accept the Outreach Services Policy as presented. Voice Vote: Ayes: Harrison, Brandtner, Cruise, Hartsock, Korndorf, Laas, Voigt. The motion carried.
The Director discussed with the Board the possibility of purchasing an original metal sculpture that was displayed in the library in November by artist Skip Willets. The sculpture depicts the many different faces of a community. The artistís asking price is $1,500.
On motion by Brandtner, seconded by Korndorf that the Board approve the purchase of the metal sculpture and that the Director be given a range of $1,000 to $1,500 to negotiate the price with the artist. This expenditure would be from the Kakert Fund. Voice Vote: Ayes: Harrison, Brandtner, Cruise, Hartsock, Korndorf, Laas, Voigt. The motion carried.
The Director brought up a subject for discussion concerning patrons parking in the no parking area directly in front of the entrance to the library. Several complaints had been verbally issued in the past and recently a written complaint was received asking the library to do something about the problem. The problem is quite consistent; people will drop off students who need to run in and pick up a book, etc. Sometimes people actually park and leave the car to come into the building. This can last anywhere from two or three minutes up to fifteen to twenty. The police department does not ticket a no parking area unless there are no parking signs placed in the area. After a brief discussion, it was determined that the Director should request that the words ìno parkingî be painted on the concrete of the gridded pedestrian path and monitor the problem after that.
The Director informed the Board that for the first time since the beginning of the Open Access Program, the State Library has issued a fourth quarter report. In that report the Bettendorf Public Library has the largest ratio of items loaned compared to items borrowed statewide. We loan over 8 times as many books as our patrons borrow.
The Director stated that in her last contract membership to the American Management Association and the American Association of Museums was required. With these two memberships come some publications and other discounts and privileges. A membership with the AMA receives the Management Review and inclusion in the Leadership Forum. With the AAM membership includes Museum News, discounts to publications from the book store and discounts on the museum directory.
Rita Rosauer reviewed the Internet Policy and use by patrons with the Board. The Internet public stations have been in use approximately eighteen months. The Internet is used by about 700 patrons per month from 900 to 1000 hours per month. Patrons are allowed to use the Internet up to two hours per day. They may call ahead by telephone for registration or sign up to use one when they come into the library if a station is available. While using a station the patron leaves an ID at the reception desk and takes a pass with them to place by the Internet station. A lot of the patrons use the Internet for seeking job information, travel, college information and email. Students are using it more and more as many teachers are giving assignments that require the students to use the Internet. The library has a form that a parent must sign to allow a student under 18 to use the Internet. However, if a student does not have a signed form, a librarian will usually be able to intervene and help them find the site or information they might need and then run a copy of it for them. The information staff also uses the Internet quite a bit as a reference tool. As a whole, the library has experienced very few problems so far. A few individuals have caused problems and one has been banned from use of the Internet for a period of time, but this number has been minimal. As the staff cannot provide in depth training on the floor for persons who are trying to learn how to use the Internet, training classes are offered once a month for the public. In addition the library has provided mentors as a type of one on one help with volunteers from the QC Computer Club.
Tami shared the Learning-to-go-Kits with the Board. The museum and library received a $2,000 grant from the Scott County Regional Authority to provide the informational kits. Six topics were chosen and two kits were assembled for each topic, one at a preschool level and one at a grade school level. The kits include many hands-on items such as puppets, instruments, puzzles and games, as well as books. They should be available for check out by the end of the month. The kits were originally geared toward day care provides, but many individuals have asked about the kits, so they will probably generate a lot of use.
Karen Madesian announced that all the Board members now have an in-house library card that will be kept at the check out desk in case they forget to bring their card. A Bettendorf Public Library card would still be needed if anyone wanted to check out materials at another library.
Marj Martin informed the Board that Tech Services has been extremely busy trying to get all the memorials out and process the fiction materials that have arrived that have been purchased with grant funds.
Tami stated that the USA awards were held today and went very well. There were 80 people in attendance. This was the first time that students read the comments teachers had made about the award winners and that will probably continue as it was very well received.
There is a display of the major memorial gifts (OíDell, Bahrenberg, Hill) in the area between the glass display case and the check out desk on the main floor.
As there was no further business before the Board at this time, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Brandtner
Secretary
