Minutes of the Meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board
May 3, 2010

PART I

The special meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order at 5:00 PM on Monday, May 3, 2010 by Library Board President Carol Keller. She read aloud and signed the “Certification of Compliance,” regarding the “Open Meeting” law.

Also present were Board members Sharon Raimondo, Craig Neid and Jim Schaefer. Joie Taylor was excused. Larry Brenner of the Columbus Arts Council and Brad Hruska, Youth Services Librarian, were present, as was Jill Owens, Library Director.

Notice of this meeting was given in advance with a copy of the agenda posted at City Hall, the Platte County Courthouse, and in the Public Library. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss what was learned during the meeting at the Edith Abbott Memorial Library (Grand Island), and planning for the future.

The manpower issue for a project of this magnitude was discussed. Grand Island had a feasibility committee and a building team. Grand Island also created a building/facility corporation for their projects. The corporation hired the designer. All focus group work and public comments went through the feasibility committee. One library board member was on the committee as a liaison. Steve Fosselman (Director of Grand Island’s library) said it was a big time and work saver to work with the architect and contractor at the same time instead of one after the other – it was easier to keep them on the same page. He also said during this time he was the project manager. His Assistant Director ran the library. The library also has a secretary.

There was discussion about funding sources of various library projects, including Grand Island’s, and whether this was a civic or private project.

Is this to be a city facility that holds a library or a library that has to fundraise for a city auditorium and public meeting space and other tenants? Also discussed, most libraries don’t have tenants or other entities in their space. Are other tenants helping in this effort? It is hoped a consultant will help analyze that issue.

Grand Island was also able to take advantage of a broader assessment professionally conducted in Grand Island at that time and the library project was “dovetailed” into the city plan. Steve thought this “independent analysis” was valuable in getting support. He noted that two bond initiatives failed until the library was mentioned. When the library, police, and fire department needs were all packaged together, the voters passed the funding.

After much discussion it was decided to seek information about consultants. Jill will contact Steve for information on the firm he used, including cost. Craig will find the Vision 20/20 information and ask Mr. Mangiamelli if there has been an assessment done besides the recent HDR work.

The board members decided to have Jill pursue window replacement with the first floor remodel money in the capital budget.

Discussion then turned to Mickie Senften’s request for answers to her questions for marketing the Quality of Life project. Sharon will type up the answers to the questions. Jill will send Sharon another copy of the “homework” that was given to HDR.

Larry requested that everyone look at the “anythink” branding project done by a Colorado library which was presented at the Public Library Association conference in March. This was briefly discussed.

Carol Keller adjourned the meeting at 6:35.

PART II

Columbus Public Library Board Special Meeting
Monday May 3, 2010, 5:00 p.m.
Constitution Room Columbus (NE) Public Library

Attending: Carol Keller, Craig Nied, Sharon Raimondo, Jim Schaefer, Jill Owens, Larry Brenner

CPL Board President Keller opened meeting by reading the Open Meeting Compliance Act statement.

Discussion and questions focused on visit to April 27, 2010 visit to Grand Island Library and meeting with Steve Fosselman, GI Library director. There were no votes or motions.

Questions/Discussion:

1. Should we contact a library consultant like GI did? They used David Smith of Minneapolis, who is retired. Jill will investigate.
2.  Re: PVLA: need to talk to Jolene Hake about many things, including PVLA governance model. Is there something in the PVLA By-Laws that “binds” this organization to the library?
   
3.  Why should the CPL Board be expected to raise all the funds for a new or renovated public library? In other communities, public dollars were primary resource. (e.g. GI and the Rangeview Library System in CO)
   
4. City should provide direction and support to the CPL Board for a new or renovated Library, not the other way around. City should have a strategic capital improvement plan in place that includes the building or renovation of the library. Feasibility Studies, which include an analysis of all city facilities, by an outside consultant needed.
   
5. In the past, CPL Foundation has provided matching funds for capital improvements e.g. Children’s Room
   
6. What is the CPL Service Model – What do we want to do? To provide?
   
7. Should the City of Columbus pay for more of the proposed library project, so that we don’t “bleed” private donations away from the YMCA for example, which depends on private donations and its membership?
   
8. Should we come up with a CPL constituents’ and non-users survey? Resources for creating such a survey could include: American Library Association. We could also review the Vision 20/20 findings, the HDR results and talk to Steve Fosselman for survey ideas. Board recognizes that survey creation and implementation is a job for professionals.
   
9. Board should consider hosting another Focus Group for the CPL staff. It was recently brought to light that the CPL staff was not satisfied with its focus group in 2008.