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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-01 Library Commission Summary KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTMTY ROOM FEBRUARY 1~ 2000 7:30 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- January 4, 2000 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS a, Director Friends of the Library ITEM 6' OLD BUSINESS ae Discussion -- School Library Survey ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS a, Discussion -- State Funded Databases Discussion -- Library Fundin§ Possibilities ITEM 8' COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9: INFORMATION a, Kenai City Council Action Agendas of January 5 and 19, 2000. Council policy regarding work sessions for commissions, committees and boards. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM FEBRUARY 1~ 2000 7:30 P.M. CHAIR BOB PETERS~ PRF.~IDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at approximately 7'35 p.m. taken as follows: The roll was Present: Absent: Others Present' Heus, Forbes, Brown, Rodes, Peters and Brenckle O'Reilly Librarian Jankowska, city Clerk Freas, Councilman Moore, Student Representative Haring and Emily DeForest ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Peters requested discussion be added at New Business regarding Commissioner O'Reilly's resignation from the Commission. MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED to approve the agenda with the addition at New Business and Commissioner Brenckle SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. I/IO ORDERED. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- January 4, 2000 MOTION: Commissioner Forbes MOVED for approval of the minutes as presented and Commissioner Brown SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 5' REPORTS 5-a. Director Web-Based Catalog--Jankowska reported she had been working on procuring the new web-based catalog. However, since the company had been sold again, she was now awaiting a new proposal which was to include a Windows NT Server, software to enable receiving the web-based graphics-interfaced catalog. She added, in speaking with the city manager, he agreed the Library should try to purchase a new version of Unix which was patched last year. Jankowska added, she estimated the cost to be about $2,000, including installation costs. The company is to submit an estimate for these costs. Library Programs -- Jankowska reported another genealogy class and Mystery Lovers' Club program would begin in February. She noted, she was very happy there were so many programs going on at the library as they help in the library's succeSs and made the library more than just a depository for books. Budget -- Jankowska reported she was working on the library budget which would be submitted by February 11. She noted she requested more hours for the temporary worker. She also noted, because of the job responsibilities of the position Corey Hall was holding, she requested a range upgrade of the position which would be an increase of approximately $1,000 a year. Jankowska explained, she was writing a job description for the position. Job Titles -- Jankowska reported she wanted to include more descriptive job titles to the positions at the library and checked other libraries for suggestions. She noted, the library employees put a lot of intellectual effort into their positions which were librarian-type positions, although they did not have MLS degrees. Jankowska added, the employees should have titles to reflect their work. She noted, she decided to change the titles to "library associate" and reserve the title "librarian" for those persons with an MLS degree. Discussion followed regarding the job upgrade and Jankowska was asked if a recommendation from the Commission would help in the upgrade approval. Jankowska noted she believed it would be difficult to get an upgrade even though there was minimal money involved but believed Hall should be recognized for the work she was doing. Forbes stated she would write a letter in support of the upgrade. It was suggested she send the letter to the attention of the city manager with a copy to the finance director and council via the city clerk. Councilman Moore asked if the Commission wanted the $25,000 included in the library budget for the city's portion to hire a grant writer for the proposed library addition. A brief discussion followed and it was noted the amount had not been included in the budget last year and Jankowska did not include it this year because of budget restraints, etc. It was also suggested the amount should be included and then speak to it at the budget hearing when the library budget was reviewed. The Commission decided to discuss the matter further at Item 7-b. 5-b. Friends of the Library · Heus reported the Friends would hold the "At Home Tea" fundraiser and a mailing would be sent out in the next few days to approximately 300 people to request donations for either the library or the building fund. She continued, the memorial money for Frances Meeks had been used to purchase a collection of books and book plates. Heus added, a public event to recognize the collection in Meeks' memory would be held at the library in the near future. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 PAGE 2 Heus reported the Third Annual Writers' Night was scheduled for March 9 at the Visitors Center beginning at 7'00 p.m. She added, the Friends would be providing refreshments and do the registration. The proceeds from the event would be split between the Friends and the Visitors Center (last year the Friends' portion was approximately $400). Heus noted, the event would be advertised. ITEM 6: OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- School Library Survey Forbes reported progress was being made in processing the responses of the survey and she hoped to have the findings in the packet for the next Commission meeting. She noted there was about a 79% response. Student Representative Haring reported there was a lot of good information gleaned from responses and the school principals were very excited with the response and information. She noted, "Do you use the library for school projects or recreauon, would be a good question to be included in the next survey. ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- State Funded Databases Jankowska gave an informative demonstration of the Magazine, Newspapers and More: Full Text Articles for Alaskans database program and explained the state currently made the database available to the Internet. She explained, there was a possibility the program could be cut by the Legislature in its quest to cut the state's budget. She explained the program offered internet access to thousands of full-text business publications, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, children's magazines, health references, etc. Jankowska added, the database was accessible from home computers through SLED and it would be a great loss to community and school libraries as well as individuals in areas where no libraries were available. She noted, the loss of the database from the state's budget would affect the city's budget because it would cost approximately $4,000 a year for access to the database. The Commission was very impressed with the information the database offered and it was noted a link to the SLED site would be added to the Library's website. It was suggested a demonstration of the resource be made to other city employees. The Commission reviewed the draft resolution in support of the Legislature funding the University of Alaska budget for the database resource. Discussion followed and Clerk Freas explained that if the Commission was in support of the state funding the University of Alaska's budget, it would be appropriate for the Commission to pass a motion recommending council bring forward a similar resolution. She noted, Councilman Moore could then bring the information to the council at their February 2 LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 PAGE 3 meeting and notify them that if they had no objections, a resolution in support would be included in their next packet. Freas also suggested the Commission include in their motion any additional information they would want added to the resolution, i.e. to whom it should be forwarded, etc. The Commission felt it would be advantageous to include in the resolution that copies of the resolution be forwarded to the area legislators, the University of Alaska, Governor Knowles, and state librarian. MOTION: Commissioner Forbes MOVED to have the Clerk make the appropriate changes in the wording of the resolution for presentation to the Kenai City Council at their February 16 meeting and include direction to forward copies of the resolution to the area legislators, University of Alaska, Governor Knowles and the state librarian. Commissioner Brenckle SECONDED the motion. DeForest explained the state librarian wanted the funding to be included in the University of Alaska budget because that was where the computer is situated. It was suggested Student Representative Haring forward a copy of the draft resolution to the School District for presentation to the School Board for'their approval. Moore suggested the Commission could send Public Opinion Messages (POMs) individually to the area legislators and Governor, or write a letter to the editor. VOTE: There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Discussion -- Library Funding Possibilities Peters reviewed several sources for funding for a library and/or library communications. The were: · Theatre/Arts -- Peters noted Mayor Williams had discussed with council the suggestion of developing the property adjacent to the Senior Center (FAA, city land) and calling it Millennium Square. In the planning of how the property would be used, include an area for a Little Theatre to be used by the Peninsula Players, etc. Peters added, there could be a possibility of finding funding for a theatre that could be included with the addition to the library or a satellite library included with the theatre building° · Denali Commission -- Peters reported the Denali Commission had a large amount of funding to be used for infrastructure, roads, power plants, water systems, tank removE, communications and community facilities. Peters added, it could be difficult getting funding from the Commission because their main dedication was to ensure good drinking water, soil contamination clean-up, etc. for rural areas of Alaska. However, there could be some chance of funding in the communications a_rea. Heus LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 PAGE 4 reminded the Commission of a previous discussion they had regarding fiber-optic availability, and when it is available, what the speed of transmissions could be. Councilman Moore noted a.representative from PTI would be speaking at the February 2 council meeting regarding options and availabilities for communications in Kenai. He noted his interest in the topic for his business, as well as the library and the city. · Homer Electric, Inc. -- Peters reported HEA had recently partnered with the school district to use their new fiber-optic computer server to speed up the computers at the school. He suggested having someone from HEA's computer department speak to the Library Commission to see what access to their equipment might be available to the Library community. Peters continued, he spoke with Commissioner O'Reilly who offered to encourage a representative from HEA speak with the CommissiOn on this issue. Jankowska noted it would be helpful to hear what might be available regarding fiber- optics and faster Internet connections. However, she added, it wouldn't make a big difference at this time. 3ankowska explained the schools were a different situation because they were operating within the system within the state. Most of the things the Library is accessing, she added, were outside the state. If a better infrastructure is developed, the faster service would be available. Jankowska added, connections within the state, i.e. State library, Anchorage, University of Alaska, etc. would be much faster. 7-¢. Discussion -- Resignation of Commissioner Vince O'Reilly -- Peters reported he spoke with O'Reilly who informed him he was resigning from the Library Commission due to his health concerns, but planned to be more active with the Friends of the Library and on occasion attend Commission meetings as a member of the public. The Commission stated their disappointment that O'Reilly resigned. The Commission discussed their desire to have Student Representative Haring moved into O'Reilly's position in order for her to be a regular voting member of the Commission. They noted her enthusiasm and active participation in the interests of the library as their reasons for urging council to appoint her as a full voting member. MOTION: Commissioner Rodes MOVED to recommend to council that Melinda Hating be made a full voting member of the Commission, replacing Commissioner O'Reilly. Commissioner Heus SECONDED the motion. A short discussion followed about the Haring's graduation in the spring and possibilities of summer work and whether she would be able to attend meetings, etc. was noted, the Commission could continue having a student representative asa non- voting member in addition to having Haring as. a member of the Commission. It LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 PAGE 5 VOTE: There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Moore noted he would pass this recommendation on to the council at their February 2, 2000 meeting. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUF~TIONS Rodes -- Stated she was delighted Haring could be made a full-fledged member of the Commission. She added, she appreciated Haring's energy and dedication. Brenelfle -- Stated it was young people like Haring that made Kenai a good place to live and work. Haring -- Stated she enjoyed being the student representative and looked forward to being a voting member. Forbes -- Referred back to the question of including $25,000 in the library budget for funding a grant writer/fund raiser in regard to the proposed library addition. Peters noted, the Friends would be donating funds toward this position as well. It was hoped this funding (approximately $51,000) would be enough to hire a grant writer/fund raiser for a year. He added, he didn't know what the chances would be to have the money approved by council, but felt it was worth requesting. Forbes added, the financial picture as well as Jankowska's new appointment, it was decided to hold off on requesting the funding in last year's budget. Peters asked, did the Commission know what they wanted in a grant writer if the council approved the $25,000. Jankowska stated she had not given the idea a lot of attention over the year and didn't know if $51,000 would be enough to entice a grant writer to work on the project. Peters noted, there could be someone in the community that would probably have the experience to do the work. Heus noted another reason for not including the request in the last budget was that perhaps, after Jankowska had been in Kenai for awhile, she would identify different needs. Heus asked if that had changed. Forbes answered she didn't think that had been addressed with a conclusive answer. Heus asked if it would be appropriate to have a grant writer if there was no goal in mind. Moore suggested waiting on making the request until more was learned about the Kenai Performers suggestion. He added, if there were other user groups involved, it could be more palatable to everyone in regard to matching funds, etc. A general discussion followed and it was noted by Moore that after discussing the library proposal with the Kenai Performers group and a plan was developed, the Commission LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 PAGE 6 could then come to council to request matching money. Forbes added, she thought that if the Commission was to make a request for funding, it should be a sincere request and something backed up with a plan. Rodes suggested revisiting the issue at their March meeting, including reviewing any plans previously developed. However, the Commission felt it would be best to hold off on making any funding requests during this budget season. Heus -- Stated she was sorry that O'Reilly had resigned from the Commission and hoped he would be able to come back in the future. DeForest -- Reported Jankowska would be traveling to Poland for a family emergency and wouldn't be back in the office until February 14. Moore -- No comments. ITEM 9: INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of January 5 and 19, 2000. Council policy regarding work sessions for commissions, committees and boards. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Forbes MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Rodes SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 PAGE 7