Minutes Meeting of the
Columbus Public Library Board
April 8, 2010

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order on Thursday, April 8, 2010 by President Carol Keller who read aloud and signed the “Certification of Compliance,” regarding the “Open Meeting” law. Other Library Board members in attendance included Sharon Raimondo, Jim Schaefer, and Joie Taylor. Craig Neid was excused. Also in attendance: Jill Owens, Library Director and Brad Hruska, Youth Services Librarian.  Dianne Clause, was present for the staff introduction part of the agenda.  Notice of this meeting was published in advance. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the meeting was open to the public.

The minutes were reviewed. Joie moved to approve the minutes and Jim seconded. The motion carried unanimously with no discussion.

Sharon moved to bring the staff visit/introduction forward in the agenda to accommodate Dianne Clause, who is this month’s staff guest.  Joie seconded and the motion passed without discussion or dissent.  Dianne Clause introduced herself and told about her 22 years at the library from when she started as a page.  She told about her family and what her responsibilities are at the library. Dianne said she really enjoyed helping patrons find things at the library.  When asked one thing she would change she said that when the City Council meetings were first broadcast and recorded, the cable company used to pay the staff to do this.  She said it was very disruptive to the library’s staffing that the workers for this are pulled from the library.  Carol thanked Dianne for her work for the library over the years and for taking time to visit with the board members.

Joie moved to go back into agenda order, Jim seconded, and the motion passed unanimously with no discussion.

The financial reports were presented. As requested, Jill went through the Platte County Library Services budget and explained how the new contract compared with what had been budgeted for this fiscal year, and the implications.  She also noted that because the board meeting landed early this month, there may be a few more bills outstanding to come in before the city’s claims deadline, such as Eakes, Menards, and some online nonfiction credit card purchases.  She will send a final list at the end of the April claims cycle.  Carol asked what sorts of things are purchased at Menards, and a brief discussion followed.  Jim moved to accept the financial reports. Sharon seconded. The roll call vote passed as follows: Keller, aye; Schaefer, aye; Raimondo, aye; Taylor, aye.

The director’s report was discussed. Carol asked how many people attended the Friends’ joint program at the Museum.  Jill did not know the number, but Brad said he had heard these Chautauqua themed programs were very well received.  Carol asked how circulation compared to last year.  Jill indicated on the Cumulative Circulation Totals spreadsheet that last March’s check out total was 18,539 items and this year’s March total was 18,931. 

Under “Committee Reports” Joie talked about the Quality of Life movement and the questions that were asked at the presentations to the City Council.  Discussion followed about the presentation to the County Board of Supervisors.  She also offered to share a publication about library renovation and designing young adult spaces.  Later, conversation on this topic revolved around how the effort will go forward and who is to go to the next meeting on the 26^th.  Jill will ask Ken Curry, one of the co-chairs, and will resend the handout of a draft structure that was distributed at the last meeting.

Under Old Business, the trip to the Grand Island library (Edith Abbott Memorial Library) was discussed.  It was decided that the participants would meet in the parking lot south of the library on April 24^th at 8:30 a.m.  Those able to attend will be discussing the Grand Island library’s building project with Steve Fosselman, Director of the Edith Abbott Memorial Library. 

An idea for two signage projects supported by the Friends of the Library was brought to the board by Jill since Marilyn Zehring and Melodee Pedersen were unable to attend.  The library board was in favor of the idea of the indoor sign above the elevator, but would like to table the idea for the outdoor sign.  Meanwhile we’ll all look at what other libraries use outdoors.  Joie moved to allow the indoor electronic sign/monitor, and Sharon seconded.  Discussion followed that there should be a usage policy about what kinds of messages from which groups will be allowed.  The policy should state who makes the decision about what goes on the sign.  The motion was unanimously passed with no further discussion.  Jill will find out what the ideal reading time and ideal loop length should be. 

In the New Business section of the agenda, the policies “Denial of Library Card to Applicant with Fines or Charges at Another Library in the OneLibrary Consortium;” Overdues and Circulation;” and “Suspension of Borrowing Privileges” were discussed.  Because there is a lot of repetition among these three policies Jill recommended they be combined into a policy, “Suspension or Denial of Cards and Services,” a draft of which was reviewed.  After rewording one sentence for clarification, Jim moved to consolidate the policies as described, with the rewording of the sentence.  Joie seconded.  There was no further discussion and the motion passed unanimously.

A week-long May conference in Lincoln, “Competing for Federal Grants” was discussed.  It was decided not to send anyone at this time, but to watch for other opportunities for grant-writing training. 

During the announcements, the plans for the Grand Opening of the computer lab were discussed.  After the announcement of the upcoming Endowment/Investment Oversight Committee meeting, Carol adjourned the meeting.