HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-07 Library Commission SummaryKENAI ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION
KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM
OCTOBER 7, 1997 ~ 7:30 P.M.
AGENDA
ITEM 1'
CALL TO ORDER/~ ROLL CALL
ITEM 2:
AGENDA APPROVAL
ITEM 3:
APPROVAL OF MINUTF~
ao
Regular meeting of September 2, 1997.
ITEM 4:
PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
ITEM 5:
REPORTS
a,
Director
Friends of the Library
ITEM 6:
OLD BUSINF~S
a. Public Relations Committee
ITEM 7:
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 8:
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS
ITEM 9:
INFORMATION
a,
Kenai City Council Action Agendas of September 3 and October 1, 1997.
ITEM 10:
ADJOURNMENT
Library Commission
October 7, 1997- 7:30 p.m.
Kenai Library Activity Room
Chair Bob Peters
*** MINUTES ***
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Bob Peters, Lorrene Forbes, Janet Brown, Janice Rodes,
Vincent O~eilly, Carol Brenckle, Elissa Fahnholz
Members Absent: Kathy Heus
Also Present:
Emily DeForest, Councilman Joe Moore, Contract
Secretary Barb Roper
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
BROWN MOVED TO APPROVED THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY
BRENCKLE. AGENDA WAS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
FORBES MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 2, 1997.
MOTION WAS SF~ONDED BY BRENCKLE. MINUT~ OF SEPTEMBER 2,
1997 WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None
5. REPORTS
a. Director
DeForest handed out a copy of the monthly management report and the
October activity schedule prior to the meeting. It was noted that activity
was down for September as only 150 cards were handed out.
DeForest reported that she will be attending a conference in Anchorage
on October 9 regarding the Universal Services Act. The Act allows
libraries to get communication services at a lesser rate. The Kenai
library should pay only 28% of the normal phone bill. DeForest noted
the Act may go into effect by the first of the year.
be
DeForest will also be attending a Director's Leadership Conference in
Girdwood on October 20, 21 and 22. All small rural libraries in the
State will be in attendance and topics of discussion include the State
library card system, the library bill that was sent to the Legislature last
year, communications, and other leadership problems encountered.
DeForest stated the bill originally proposed to the State involves
misdemeanor charges filed against individuals that have fines at a
library. This will supposedly give the library's a legal right to go after
fines.
Bobby Norfolk, a storyteller, will be visiting the library on October 17. A
small potluck will be held prior to the storytelling. It was noted there
will be no admission fee, however, the Friends of the Library will pay for
Norfolk's visit. This event is for all age groups. Moore stated he would
announce Norfolk's visit at the October 15 Council meeting. DeForest
reported that flyers were sent to all the schools.
Eileen Bryson with the ASF (foreign student group) is planning a
reception in the Library on November 2. This is for anyone interested in
the ASF program.
DeForest reported that first grade classes from Sears Elementary is
already visiting the library. She added, it was nice to have them at the
beginning of the year so that the children can become indoctrinated
early on.
Discussion was held on fines paid for the month of September. DeForest
stated that figure will increase next month.
Forbes asked about the $7,000 in the general fund for the Public Library
Assistance Grant that was on the City Council agenda on September 3,
1997. DeForest explained that it is a State library grant awarded every
year. This was on the agenda so that Council could accept it for the
library.
Friends of the Library:
Brown reported that Friends had a meeting on September 29 and at that
time the number of tickets sold totaled $9,500.00. Brown added there were
a lot of tickets out yet. Discussion took place on ticket sales and the
difficulty in selling them.. Brown reported that ads will run in the Clarion
on October 8, 15 and 22. All tickets must be turned in by October 20 and
the Library will continue to try to sell any remaining. It was noted that
radio ads are also being heard. Brown stated that Nora would sit at K-Mart
or Carr's to sell tickets if someone would sit with her. 13renckle indicated
that she would if it was on a weekend.
Library Commission Meeting
October 7, 1997
Page 2
Brown reported that Dustin Aaronson agreed to be the DJ at the Halloween
Dance. It was noted there will be prizes for best costume, dances, etc.
Prizes may include tickets to the Charlie Daniels concert, Kaladi Brothers,
or Southcentral.
Brown reminded the Commission that halibut and prime rib are on the
menu.
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OLD BUSINESS
a. Public Relations Committee
Peters reported that O'Reilly also agreed to serve on this Committee and
one meeting was held. Lori Evans from the Clarion was contacted and
she indicated that space may be available in the newspaper for the
library articles. These articles will focus on what local celebrities are
reading. Evans also indicated that she would like to see these articles
be shared with the Soldotna library. Brenckle suggested that perhaps a
high school or college journalism student could write these articles.
Peters stated a name for the committee will be chosen at their next
meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Multi-purpose facility: Discussion took place on the proposed multi-
purpose facility. Peters indicated he would support such a facility if it
was used for something other than hockey. Moore reported that money
for such a facility is available through the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
(BOR). The City owns property on the golf course along the fairway and
behind the driving range which is designated as recreation property.
BOR gave verbal approval to the City to sell this property. If sold, the
proceeds would go towards the multi-purpose ice facility. The property
currently being considered for the facility is the Mental Health lands
near the high school. Mayor Navarre was optimistic that the land is
obtainable through trade or sale. Moore reported the land at the golf
course is currently being subdivided and it is anticipated that $600,000-
$700,000 could be obtained through the sales.
Forbes asked if there were any lands available for the library. Moore
indicated there was if you wanted one by the airport. He reported the
animal control shelter is being built on airport land and the airport is
financing the whole project. Once built the airport will lease the land to
the City at 6% of the appraised value.
Challenger Project: O'Reilly asked what the status was on the
Library Commission Meeting
October 7, 1997
Page 3
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Challenger project. Moore reported the City is no longer involved but he
did see a copy of the NASA budget which goes to the President and there
was a line item in there for 2.5 million dollars for a learning center in
Kenai, Alaska.
COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS / QUESTIONS
Commissioner Brenckle: Welcomed O~Reilly back from his trip.
asked for some assistance or tips on selling the raffle tickets.
Brenckle also
Elissa Fahnholz: Requested information on the raffle tickets. The sale process
was explained and it was also pointed out that a person had to be 18 or 21
years old to sell them.
Commissioner Forbes: Asked what steps would need to be taken to get money
from the City to have professional plans drawn up for the new library addition.
Forbes felt it would be more effective having plans on hand when the Library
goes out to seek grants for the addition. Moore answered there are a couple of
options available. One would be to get it from the general fund the other to
discuss the matter with the City Manager and have it put in the budget for next
year. After a group discussion it was decided that Moore will go to the City
Manager to have it put in the budget for next year.
Commissioner O'Reilly: Asked about an article he saw in the paper regarding
federal money for libraries. DeForest answered that she saw the article and
will look into it.
O'Reilly asked about a service to rent books and how many books are rented
through the service. DeForest answered 52 books are rented each month.
These include bestsellers and she selects them.
O~Reilly asked if the Library Commission, Friends of the Library, or certain
individuals were out looking and applying for grants. DeForest indicated that
no one is at this time but that it should go through the City as the City will
have to administer any grant awarded. Moore stated he would look into what
the grant process is.
O'Reilly suggested that a well known bookstore be invited to sell books during
the holiday season. Discussion took place on relationships with various
bookstores. DeForest indicated that she would order from whatever bookstore
offers a larger discount.
INFORMATION
Kenai City Council Action Agendas of September 3 and October 1,
1997.
Library Commission Meeting
October 7, 1997
Page 4
10. ADJOURNMENT
FORBES MOVED TO ADJOURN. MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Roper
Library Commission Meeting
October 7, 1997
Page 5