Meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board March 13, 2008 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order at 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 13, 2008 by the President, Jim Schaefer. He read and signed the “Certification of Compliance” regarding the “Open Meeting” law. Other Library Board members present included Sharon Farritor and Carol Keller. Mike Oglevie, City Personnel Officer, and Robert Trautwein, Library Director, were also present. Joie Taylor had informed the Director that she would be out of town and unable to attend the meeting. Notice of this meeting was given in advance with a copy of the agenda posted at City Hall, the County Court House and in the Public Library. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public. The Minutes of the February Board meeting were reviewed and allowed to stand as corrected with a motion from Carol Keller and a second from Sharon Farritor. The motion passed by voice vote. Craig Neid, a member of the Library Board, joined the meeting. The Library Director distributed the March Financial Reports for the City Library, the County Library Service, and the Library Foundation. He noted that March is the sixth month of the 2007-08 budget year. A motion was made by Craig Neid and seconded by Carol Keller to accept the expenditures. The motion passed by roll call vote: Keller-aye, Farritor-aye, Neid-aye and Schaefer-aye. The Director’s Report was reviewed. He noted that checkout of adult fiction continues to grow. The last year’s total-to-date is 24,726 compared to this year’s total total-to-date of 28,711. He said that he is concerned about the continuing drop in check out on the bookmobile. Checkout by county residents from the library remains constant. Jim Schaefer asked about the bookmobile stopping at Meridian Gardens and Crown Villa? Trautwein said that the vehicle could stop there in the future. On the topic of adding value to library services, Trautwein discussed the inauguration of a new audio book service via Internet. This service is called “Overdrive” and can be access from its website or hot linked from the Library’s website. Patrons will be able to “check out” or download up to three audio books for a two week period. He said that he has high expectations for this service and hopes that eventually the Library will be able to discontinue the purchase of audio books on cd. Trautwein said that eventually, movies will become available as downloadable products also. Monthly statistics on the audio downloads will be available. There were no Committee Reports. There were no items of Correspondence. Under Old Business, Trautwein said the 1st floor remodeling project is on schedule. The tile work has been done; the countertops and sinks will be installed on the following Tuesday; and the custodian is painting and installing the ceiling light fixtures. The plumbing, and installation of the mirrors and stalls will be done over the next week or so. On the topic of the “Circulation Periods” policy for library materials, the Board reviewed the proposed policy. A motion was made by Craig Neid to accept the “Circulation Periods” policy as submitted. This motion was seconded by Carol Keller. The motion passed by a voice vote. The Board discussed the possible need of a policy on “threshold” of fines over which a patron will not be allowed to check out library materials. Trautwein said that some libraries have $30 to $100 fine thresholds. Currently, the Library has a zero threshold which includes all the cards for one family. Jim Schaefer asked Trautwein to draft a policy regarding a threshold. Carol Keller said that she could understand a zero tolerance as long as there was some leeway or some forgiveness for small fines. Carol Keller mentioned that she had seen that a library was offering different colored cards depending on the age of the patron. In particular, the library was offering a colorful graphic card for children. On the topic of the “Access of Demonstrators…” policy, Trautwein said he had copied the proposed policy from the Grand Island Public Library. He was not sure that such a policy needed as the state revised statutes have now addressed the issue. Craig Neid asked that the city attorney review this policy prior to the April meeting. Regarding “Transforming Libraries” and references desks, Jim Schaefer said that at the Focus Meeting for the staff, he had heard that a podium-like desk would replace the reference desk. Trautwein said that many public libraries are abandoning their reference desks where staff sat and waited for patrons to ask for assistance. He said that the only reason for a staff member to be seated at the current reference desk is to collect money for the printed copies patron make from the computer lab. This lab will soon be reconfigured for free access. A print-management system will be installed that will ask patrons to pay for the print jobs prior to the printing. Once installed, the need for a stationary reference person will be eliminated. He said that he would like to initiate a “roaming” reference person who would work just a few hours at a time and would be inquiring and asking if patrons need assistance. Trautwein said that the print station will be moved to the north wall of the reference area. The reference desk as is currently designed will remain. Trautwein said that he has no money in the budget this year for a new reference desk. The next director can decide how it should be designed. Under New Business, Mike Oglevie, the city’s human resource director, spoke about the process of hiring a new library director. He said he had received 5 applications to date. There was a discussion regarding the wording of the job ad. The “starting” salary may cause some from applying for the job. It was decided that the phrase, “negotiable from $44,000 to $62,000” should be used. Mr. Oglevie said that he would make that correction on the on-line job links. The two “Focus Group” meetings” held to date were discussed. A third meeting will be held at 7:00 PM this evening. Jim Schaefer said that Carol Speicher has done a good job as the facilitator of the meetings. She will be presenting a report of her observations and findings after the 4th meeting which occurs on March 20th. The announcements were reviewed. Mrs. Keller asked if the attendance at the “Focus Group” meeting would count toward the library board accreditation? The meeting was adjourned with a motion from Craig Neid and a second from Sharon Farritor.