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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-02 Library Commission SummaryKENAI ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 ~ 7:30 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/h ROLL CALL ITEM 2: ROLL CALL ITEM 3' AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ao August 5, 1997. ITEM 5: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ao Corey Hall - Summer Reading Program ITEM 6' REPORTS a, Director Friends of the Library ITEM 7: OLD BUSINESS a. Public Relations Committee ITEM 8: NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion - Alliance with Other Local Libraries & Schools (computer networks) ITEM 9' COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/~UESTIONS ITEM 10: INFORMATION a, Kenai City Council Action Agendas of August 6 and August 20, 1997. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT Library Commission Beptember ~-, 199~ - 7:~0 p.m. Kenai Libra~r Activity Room ~hair Bob Peters MINUTES ® CALL TO ORDER Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at approximately 7:33 p.m. ® ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent' Also Present: Kathy Heus, Lorrene Forbes, Janet Brown, Janice Rodes, Carol Brenckle, Bob Peters Vincent O'Reilly, Elissa Fahnholz Emily DeForest, Ethel Clausen, Councilman Joe Moore, Contract Secretary Barb Roper ® APPROVAL OF AGENDA BRENCKLE MOVED TO APPROVED THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY RODES. AGENDA WAS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. ® APPROVAL OF MINUTES FORBES MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 5, 1997. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY BROWN. Heus asked why Elissa Fahnholz did not appear in the Members Present or Members Absent section of the minutes. After discussion it was determined that Fahnholz should appear in the minutes until she submits a letter of resignation. DeForest will contact Fahnholz to see if she wants to continue as a student representative. Forbes stated her first name was spelled incorrectly. MINUTES OF AUGUST 5, 1997 WERE APPROVED WITH THE ABOVE COMMENTS NOTED. 5. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a® Corey Hall - Summer Reading Program- Peters introduced Corey Hall who supervised the summer reading program. Hall reported the program theme was baseball and players from the Peninsula Oilers participated by attending weekly functions and encouraging the children to continue reading. Hall went on to say that approximately 60 kids showed up each week and activities included reading stories, doing crafts and guest speakers from the Oilers. Carr's Quality Center and Kenai Chrysler donated Oiler tickets and these were handed out at some of the weekly functions. The end of season party was held July 28 and approximately 100 people attended. Kenai Chrysler Center donated hot dogs, McDonald's provided drinks, Friends of the Library provided many great prizes, and members from the Oilers played baseball with the kids. It was noted that a greater percentage of the children completed the program this year. The cost of the program was approximately $500.00. Hall reported that she is still working on a theme for next year's program. She is considering doing something with recycling and using the items left over from previous years. REPORTS a. Director DeForest handed out a copy of the monthly management report prior to the meeting. DeForest reported that on her second trip this summer she toured the Microsoft Library and the Historical Museum. DeForest shared information about the Microsoft grants and she thought it would be easier to get a grant if the unit was larger. She thought cooperation from the schools would be helpful. DeForest stated the Library attended the Industrial Day Picnic events. Staff wore library shirts and had a booth where tickets and books were raffled. DeForest handed out a flyer covering the September library schedule. Highlighted were the first of two genealogy classes to begin September 10; the writers' group starting September 4; Ice Cream Day for the children on September 22. (Hall contacted McDonald's and they donated LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 PAGE 2 be 100 ice cream cones); and Banned Book Week, beginning September 20. DeForest pointed out the books are not actually banned, it has just been suggested they be banned. When asked what the purpose of Banned Book Week was DeForest explained various organizations request that some books be banned and this alerts the public to those titles. DeForest stated a Communications Act was passed earlier in the year which should decrease the telephone bills by approximately 60%. The telephone bills are currently over $800 per month and less than half of that are Internet charges. DeForest went on to say the report from the State is 32 pages long and very time consuming to complete. However, once complete it will be forwarded to the State and they will do the negotiation for the discount in the rates. DeForest pointed out it will be a credit discount and not monetary. Brenckle asked if the discount would be reflected in next year's budget. Deforest answered that she hoped it would not because the federal government didn't send out their forms yet and it may take some time before the discount is actually seen. Friends of the Library: Heus reported that Friends had a special meeting in August for the purpose of discussing publicity for the raffle and to hand out the tickets which are now being sold. The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 1997 and Heus handed out the agenda. Discussion was held on ticket sales and it was pointed out that publicity hasn't really started yet and so far response had been slow. Heus pointed out the ticket sales effort will be a real challenge. ® OLD BUSINESS c. Public Relations Committee: Peters reminded the group that O'Reilly introduced the concept for a public relations committee at the last meeting and since some members were absent it was brought back for further discussion. The purpose of having a public relations committee is to keep the library and its various activities in the eyes of the community. Peters stated volunteers were needed to serve on the committee. Peters and Brenckle volunteered to be on the committee and indicated that perhaps O~Reilly would also participate. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 PAGE 3 Heus stated that it appeared the items suggested would not have any monetary obligation except for the Chamber luncheons and some type of reimbursement would be required. Peters indicated reimbursement would indeed be required unless a Commissioner was a member of the Chamber then there would be no charge. A lengthy discussion was held on the purpose of the committee and the need to keep the library and its many activities in the eyes of the community. It was suggested that the addition not be mentioned constantly. However, other library activities and staff members could be highlighted. Other suggestions included focusing on what local celebrities are reading, taking quotes from the post cards that people are currently using with regard to the library, taking information from the Library Director's monthly report about circulation, focusing on other activities such as the toddler lap story time, etc., and limiting the articles to once or twice per month. Peters stated the first order of business for the public relations committee will be to select a name. The committee will provide a full report on their activities at the next meeting. ® NEW BUSINESS Discussion - Alliance with Other Local Libraries and Schools (computer networks) Peters reminded the group that at the last meeting it was suggested a joint meeting between the Peninsula libraries be held to share ideas, discuss goals and perhaps discuss a joint proposal for Microsoft funding. DeForest stated she got the impression that Microsoft is looking for cooperative grants in order to put computers in a larger area and they are also looking for community involvement. She went on to say that all the schools want to become computerized and a Microsoft grant will pay for the technical aspects from design and placement. A Microsoft grant could total up to $3 million. DeForest added, if the schools get a system, she would very much like this library to be connected. Heus stated, it may be time to consider a joint venture between communities for the purpose of being linked through computers but there are so many things needing consideration. A group discussion was held on bringing the other libraries together for a joint meeting and whether or not they would cooperate. Several ideas were shared to include drafting a letter to see how much interest could be generated from other libraries and the school district; checking with the Borough LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 PAGE 4 to see how far they would be willing to go with regard to automation; having a special commission meeting to set parameters and develop an agenda; and forming another committee to research the feasibility of joint ventures. After this lengthy group discussion it was decided that this item be postponed for at least two months as there are other items that should have priority. DeForest indicated that this library is not necessarily the one that needs help as there is already a fairly good communication system. However, it does not communicate with other libraries. DeForest went on to say that she was invited by the school district to evaluate various automation programs. DeForest thought at that time the school district was under the impression that this was going to Bond this fall but it did not get put on the ballot. She was unsure whether it was forgotten or if the school district chose not to go on the ballot. DeForest reiterated, a Microsoft grant would be nice but it is not necessarily needed except to enhance the library's communication capabilities. DeForest reported the State of Alaska has been pursuing a statewide library card system for some time and the issue is still on their agenda for further discussion. She pointed out the one problem they are faced with is who would pay for a delinquent book that was taken out by a person that did not live in the community. DeForest stated the advantage of a statewide system is it not only provides an accounting of all the books in the State but it also provides an accounting of the patrons as well. Discussion took place on whether or not the next meeting, which is scheduled for October 7, be canceled as it is election night. It was decided that the meeting will be held as they never canceled a meeting before for election night. Forbes reiterated, Fahnholz needed to e contacted and asked if she wants to continue as the student representative. Heus pointed out there are relatively new standards for attendance and wanted to know how the City responds to that. Moore answered, the City Clerk submits attendance records to Council on a regular basis and if someone is absent more than three consecutive times then they will receive a letter stating that is not acceptable. It was decided a phone call to the student would be appropriate and DeForest will make the call. Heus wanted to know if McNair invited the Borough's technology person to a meeting to give a presentation since it was in the August 5 minutes that she would. It was unclear whether or not that was accomplished. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 PAGE 5 9. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS / OUESTIONS Commissioner Heus: Asked to be excused for the next meeting. Heus stated she appreciated the discussion that took place as she felt the issues are worthy and should not be dropped. Councilman Moore- Invited the Commission to attend the City's goals and objectives meeting scheduled for September 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. 10. INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of August 6 and August 20, 1997. 11. ADJOURNMENT FORBES MOVED TO ADJOURN. MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 PAGE 6