HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-12-05 Library Commission Summary KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION
KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM
DECEMBER 5, 2000
7:30 P.M.
MINUTES
ITEM 1:
CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL
Chair Peters called the meeting to order at 7'30 p.m. and the roll was confirmed as
follows:
Present:
Absent:
Others Present:
Brown, Rodes, Amen, Peters and Brenckle (arrived at 7:55 p.m.)
Forbes, Heus
City Clerk Freas, Councilman Moore, Director Jankowska
ITEM 2:
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Rodes requested the members discuss culturally sensitive procedures as
Item 7a. There were no objections.
MOTION:
Commissioner Brown MOVED to approve the agenda as amended and Commissioner
Amen SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
ITEM 3:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- November 7, 2000
Rodes requested the minutes be corrected at Page 2, Item 8, noting it was
Commissioner Forbes and not herself who reported "she may not renew her
commission term."
MOTION:
Commissioner Brown MOVED to approve the minutes as corrected and Commissioner
Amen SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
ITEM 4:
PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None.
ITEM 5: REPORTS
5-a. Director--Jankowska reported the following:
· A new part-time employee was hired who has a degree in arts and
anthropology and who is also trying to pursue her art career. The new employee is
working out well.
· A computer was installed and dedicated to the genealogy area. The
computer is also connected to the Internet and situated in the conference room.
· A new projector was purchased and is being used when showing videos.
A new VCR machine and DVD will be requested in the next budget.
· Some of the library furniture was rearranged in anticipation of a new
shelf that will be installed in front of the library. The new shelf will hold juvenile
books.
· Efforts are being made to connect the library to the DSL internet service
and until the initial cost of connection is known, some budgeted purchases are being
delayed (network printer, etc.). With the DSL connection, service will be faster and
phone bills should be reduced.
· A new phone system .was installed with four phone lines. Three are
connected to an answering machine that picks up when the library is closed to the
public. A fourth unadvertised number is available outside of the answering machine to
allow contact to be made to employees prior to the library's open hours.
· URL's for on-line documents (Alaska Hunting Regulations, Constitution,
Alaska Economic Trends, etc.) are being added to the Library's website as links. It is
anticipated that URLs will be added for documents that are not available in paper
format.
· Consideration is being given to including a "Family New Year's Online
Resolution" to the next library newsletter as an item of interest. The resolution is an
agreement to be made between children and parents about internet use.
· Because URLs are often outdated, incorrect, etc., purchase of a URL
checker is being considered. This computer program would keep URL links updated.
$-b. Friends of the Library-- Commissioner Brown reported the following:
· The Friends' profit from the recent raffle was over $13,000.
· The Library's Holiday Open House is scheduled for December 14 from
4:00-7:00 p.m.
· The "Home Tea" membership drive will begin in January.
"Writers' Night" will be held on March 15 at the Visitors Center.
· An "Library Employee of the Year" will be announced at the Holiday Open
House.
5-c. City Council Liaison -- Councilman Moore reported the following:
· The next council meeting is scheduled for December 6 at which time
public hearings will be held on the ordinances regarding fire inspections for bed and
breakfasts and day cares.
City Manager Ross announced his resignation effective in June. Council
will set a work session at their December 20 meeting to begin a search for a new hire.
ITEM 6:
OLD BUSINESS
6-a. Discussion -- Goals & Objectives -- The Commission reviewed the list and
confirmed its accuracy. Clerk Freas reported the goals and objectives, as well as the
list of accomplishments were attached to the Commission's November meeting minutes
and included in the council's packet.
LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2000
PAGE 2
6-b. Discussion -- Library Expansion -- Peters explained Commissioner Heus
requested the topic be included on the agenda and she was absent from the meeting.
He noted information included in the packet entitled, Library Improvement Planning
Processes. Discussion followed regarding forming working subcommittees to
investigate, plan, etc. an expansion and the following was noted:
· A subcommittee of the Commission would require public notice of
meetings and a record kept.
· If members of the Commission were invited to join committees of the
Friends of the Library, public notice would not be required as it is a non-profit
organization. The Friends would be responsible for any minutes that might be taken.
Commission members could work individually on different topics of
interest and report back to the Commission.
· A work session Could be scheduled, advertised, etc. (must be approved by
council).
Peters was requested to include the topic on the January agenda.
ITEM 7:
NEW BUSINF.~S
71t.
Discussion -- Culturally Sensitive Library Practices
A broad discussion took place in regard to what was planned for the library in regard to
this item which was included on the goals and objectives list. Jankowska explained,
because the library had a large Alaskana grouping, she hoped to better identify the
area and acquire funding for a reading program like the Prime Time Reading recently
held and at which Alaska Native themes and storytelling would be presented.
Jankowska was given suggestions of who to contact at Cook Inlet Region, Inc., the
Kenai Natives Association, Inc. and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. Brenckle noted she had
some documents she would be willing to donate to the library for this use.
ITEM 8:
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS
Brown -- Noted the books formerly stored in the conference room for the Friends
annual book sale were now being stored at the Economic Development District
building,
Brenckle -- Noted she was excited about the development of cultural focus at
the library.
Rodes -- Was very interested in progressing with an addition to the library.
Amen -- Suggested the Library's webpage be promoted more in the schools and
that the KCHS webpage include a link to the Library's webpage. Amen will discuss the
matter further with the webpage master at the high school.
'Peters -- Wished the Commission happy holidays and reminded them of the
holiday open house on December 14.
LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2000
PAGE 3
From the audience, Emily DeForest noted Item 12 of the goals and objectives urged
continuing school contacts. She explained, comments she received from the school
district office were that it is harder for the schools to come to the Library for tours with
the library being closed in the early morning. It was suggested the schools might like
coming prior to the building being open to the public and that staff would work it out
with the schools.
ITEM 9'
INFORMATION
91t.
Kenai City Council Action Agendas of November 1 and 15, 2000.
ITEM 10:
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Commissioner Brown MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Amen SECONDED the
motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8'30 p.m.
Minutes transcribed and prepared by'
Carol L. Freas, ~ity Clerk
LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2000
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