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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-07 Library Commission SummaryKENAI ADVISORY LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM JULY 7, 1998 ~ 7:30 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/~ ROLL CALL ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Regular Meeting of June 2, 1998 ITEM 4' PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS a. Director b. Friends of the Library c. Public Relations Committee d. Library Addition Committee ITEM 6: OLD BUSINESS a. Goals & Objectives Update ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9' INFORMATION a. Kenai City Council Action Agendas of June 3, and 17, 1998. b. 6 / 2/98 CLF memorandum regarding "excused absences." ITEM 10' ADJOURNMENT ® e ® Kenai Advisory Library Commission July 7, 1998 - 7:30 p.m. Kenai Community Library Activity Room Chair Bob Peters *** MINUTES *** CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at approximately 7:37 p.m. Members Present: Bob Peters, Kathy Heus, Janet Brown, Janice Rodes, Vincent O'Reilly, Elissa Fahnholz Members Absent' Carol Brenckle, Lorrene Forbes Also Present: Director Emily DeForest, Councilman Joe Moore, Ethel Clausen, Contract Secretary Barb Roper APPROVAL OF AGENDA BROWN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY HEUS. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS PRESENTED. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting of June 2, 1998 BROWN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 2, 1998. MOTION SECONDED BY HEUS. MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. ® Se PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None REPORTS a. Director DeForest provided members with a copy of the July calendar, the June 1998 monthly report, the year end report for the Library and an article on referenda for public library buildings. DeForest reported that a new employee, Cynthia Galic, began July 1, 1998 and is doing very well. Galic had previously worked as a substitute at the school libraries so is very familiar with the library automation system. June was very busy but by 4:00 p.m. on July 6, 1998 the library had over 480 people visit. 106,235 books were checked out of the library last year. The Internet usage continues to increase. The library had funds remaining in the Machinery and Equipment budget and these were used to purchase a reference computer. This computer will only be used for reference work and not regular Internet service. This will be very helpful to many patrons as they will no longer have to wait for others to get off the Internet. There have been many requests for different types of word processing programs on the public use computers. DeForest noted the computers currently have Write and Word and cannot afford to purchase new software. Heus recommended that consideration be given to providing the same type of software the schools use. DeForest stated that several individuals from Job Service visits the library to work on resumes so it was important to have the same type of program, which happens to be Word. DeForest pointed out that the year end report will be provided to Council at their next meeting. Moore commented that the article on referenda for public libraries was quite remarkable and that it indicated that the Kenai library was way behind the times. Moore pointed out that 88,000,000 was awarded to San Diego county for a library project and 120,000 in Vermont. A brief discussion took place on the article and it was noted of the library projects listed, 65% of the referendums had passed. DeForest reported the article will be provided to Council. Heus asked how the stoppage of interlibrary loans from the State library affected tienai. DeForest replied, there is no effect as the ratio for State library visits is 1 in 50. It was also noted that the library does not have to go to the State library before going outside to obtain books. Peters asked how the new employee was referred to the library. DeForest answered, the City goes through Job Service for all vacant positions. Job Service does the advertising and partial screening. DeForest continued, the library received 15 applications and six were scheduled for interviews. Three of the six withdrew for various reasons. Friends of the Library Heus reported that the Friends of the Library met on July 6, 1998. The book sale raised $1,827.34 and an additional $123.00 was raised at the Kenai River Festival. Heus noted that most of the available books were sold and very few were brought back to the library. Kenai Advisory Library Commission July 7, 1998 Page 2 de The Friends is in good financial shape, the building fund remains right around 21,000.00 and donations continue to come in. The annual raffle should increase that figure by 1/3. Heus reported that tickets for the raffle will be available within the next couple of weeks. If anyone is interested in either selling or purchasing them they are asked to contact DeForest. The 50th birthday celebration for the library will be held on March 7, 1999. Heus reported that plans are being made and the celebration will be quite extravagant with visiting dignitaries, etc. Moore stated that Council will be in support of the celebration. The Friends held their annual elections and all officers agreed to serve one more term. The 4th of July parade was successful and everyone had a good time. Consideration will be given to providing a new banner for the parade next year. A fall book sale is being considered but a total format has yet to be determined. Public Relations Committee Peters reported that two members attended the Friends of the Library meeting on July 6, 1998 to publicize the library addition. Library Addition Committee - No report Moore stated that Council was updated on O~Reilly's report from the last meeting regarding other methods of fund raising and searching for a grant writer. No comments were made. Peters indicated he heard a rumor that the City will pay for the grant writer/fund raiser for the library. Moore responded, it was always known to Council that a small investment to search out money has worked in the past. The Challenger Learning Center and Public Health Center were used as examples of how things can be produced. OLD BUSINESS Goals and Objectives Update Peters pointed out that the final Library Goals were included in the packet and the Commission needed to adopt them. After a brief review of the revisions Heus noted that Goal B, Objective #8 was not changed per the Motion made at the last meeting. The goal Kenai Advisory Library Commission July 7, 1998 Page 3 should read; "Continue to implement usage of commercial services and the addition of loan programs to include compact audio discs, computer software, books on tape, and education video cassettes." It was also noted that the date shown at the top of the page needs to be changed to July 7, 1998. HEUS MOVED TO ADOPT THE GOALS OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION TO BE APPROVED WITH THE AMENDED DATE TO BE JULY 7~ 1998 AND THE CORRECTIONS MADE TO GOAL B~ OBJECTIVE 8. MOTION SECONDED BY BROWN. Voice Vote - All in favor - Motion passed unanimously. 7. NEW BUSINESS - None Se COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS / QUESTIONS Councilman Moore brought attention to the memorandum in the packet from Clerk Freas regarding "excused absences" and did not think it was directed at the Library Commission. After discussion on enforcement of absences, Moore reported that Council is supposed to do the enforcement and they get the information from the attendance records provided by the City Clerk. Moore continued, because all Commissioners and Committee members are volunteers no enforcement is ever done. It was also noted the memo was not directed at one particular Commission, all Committees and Commissions received it. Commissioner O'Reilly stated that he is beginning to feel a sense of urgency to move forward and make progress with the library addition. O'Reilly asked what would happen in 2 to 4 years if there was no library addition. DeForest replied, the library would lose volunteers and that is happening at this time. O~Reilly asked if the library is hearing from the patrons about not receiving services they want. DeForest answered, there are a few patrons who request things that are not available. DeForest continued, the Friends of the Library has comment cards and the comments received indicate the library is doing very well which doesn't help with the request for a library addition. If most of the comments addressed the shortage of space, the inability to get on the Internet, inability to find the books desired, etc., it would most certainly support the plea for an addition. O'Reilly asked if there was a record of the actual number of people in and out of the library in a year period. DeForest pointed out that the information was provided on the second page of annual report. There were 94,690 people through the library last year. Kenai Advisory Library Commission July 7, 1998 Page 4 O'Reilly didn't think the proper steps were being taken to get the library addition built. If it is indeed the top priority then the Commission should take whatever information that was presented so far, get some additional ideas, hire a grant writer and move forward. Moore suggested that consideration be given to perhaps incorporating the library addition efforts with those of the Challenger Learning Center. Perhaps a satellite facility located within the Challenger Learning Center could become a reality. Moore reported that the Challenger Learning Center board has terminated their relationship with the City of Kenai and is now operating independently. The City will only own the land the center will be built on. Moore continued, the plans are to build the center in three phases and perhaps a satellite library facility could be included in one of the phases. After a general discussion it was noted that perhaps a science library could be established as well as video conferencing which is becoming very popular. It was noted that the Challenger Learning Center also needed a lot of money and perhaps a joint grant could be obtained for the two projects. Heus thought it may be easier for a company (PTI, HEA, Microsoft, etc.) to provide funds for more than one entity. Peters thanked Moore for his input and support of the Library Commission. Commissioner Heus agreed in part with O'Reilly and thought it was important to keep the needs and concerns of the library in front of the City Council through verbal reports. Friends will have a newsletter going out soon and it will include an article on what the Commission is doing and what the concerns are. Heus thought the Commission should really move forward and focus on the library addition. Commissioner Fahnholz apologize for missing the last two meetings, she was working out of town. Fahnholz thought a fall book sale was an excellent idea as many people weren't available for the spring sale. Chairman Peters commented on the remark made about the Commission's waning enthusiasm for the library addition. It has gone on much too long and the Commission wants some action. Peters liked Heus' idea of including the needs in the newsletter and added that community meetings will be helpful in getting the word out to the public. Peters noted that it was difficult at times to get someone to volunteer to attend the meetings. INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agenda of June 3, and 17, 1998. 6/2/98 CLF memorandum regarding "excused absences." Kenai Advisory Library Commission July 7, 1998 Page 5 10. ADJOURNMENT BROWN MOVED TO ADJOURN. MOTION SECONDED BY HEUS. MEETING ADJOURNED 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper Kenai Advisory Library Commission July 7, 1998 Page 6