MINUTES OF
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
OF APRIL 24, 2002


The Hennepin County Library Board met for the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 2002, at the St. Louis Park Community Library.

Present: President Carol Walsh, John Gibbs, Gerda Haas, Dawn Harris, Patricia Izek, David Pratt.
Library Staff Attending: C.Brown, D.Cramer, J.Leick, J.Morgan, N.Perron, P.Fox, L.Larsen, J.DeSirey, G.Mueller Schultz, P.Holt, M.Turner, J.Gegner, L.Langer, M.Knoedel, H.Malby, C.Ahrens, & R.Stein.
Guests: Barbara Brown and Diane Ladenstein from the Library Foundation Board.

Call to Order/Welcome/Public Comment
The meeting was called to order by President Carol Walsh with a welcome to guests and staff. There was no public comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2002, meeting was made by D. Pratt, seconded by P. Izek; motion passed.

PROGRAM: PowerPoint overview of Public Library Association presentations made by HCL staff: Lois Langer, Margie Knoedel, Pamela Holt--Reference Service Work Environment; Marilyn Turner--e-Resources; Jeff Gegner and Gail Mueller Schultz--Comics and Graphic Novels.

Introduction of the two Foundation Board members who joined the meeting: Barbara Brown and Diane Ladenstein.

President Walsh read the following Resolution and presented it to Cindy Ahrens (who was totally surprised):
The following resolution was offered by the Hennepin County Library Board Members to Cynthia Ahrens on her outstanding award of the Library Journal Paraprofessional of the Year 2002 Award.

WHEREAS, in recognition of Cynthia's intuitive understanding of the Hennepin County Library Board members' needs for library-related information.

WHEREAS, in acknowledgment of her ability to place issues and events affecting the Hennepin County Library into historical perspective for better Board understanding.

WHEREAS, for sharing many opportunities in which Board members can champion the Hennepin County Library story.

WHEREAS, for her regular ability to turn even the most complex Board discussions into understandable prose.

WHEREAS, for her dependability as well as her exceptional, nearly encyclopedic knowledge of Roberts' Rules of Order.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Library Board offers its sincerest congratulations to Cynthia Ahrens for her award and thanks her for her outstanding contribution to library services and to Hennepin County Libraries.


COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee: P. Izek reported that the Internet Public Use Policy will be reviewed at the May meeting; the Information Services Policy is delayed to fall 2002.

Nominating Committee: J. Gibbs, chair of the Committee, presented the recommended slate of officers: President--David Pratt; Vice President--Cynthia Steinke, and Secretary--Dawn Harris. Gibbs moved the slate as presented, G. Haas seconded; motion passed. Walsh continued as presiding officer through this meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Operating Budget 2002: Library has been asked to prepare a list of reductions equal to 2% of tax support; based on recent budget meeting, that was changed for the Library to 1% reduction. Significant changes on future budgets for 2003 and 2004 include submitting status quo budget, and include the 3% salary increases in reduced budget. Commissioner expressed request that libraries be open again on minor holidays for 2003, so that will need to be funded. Question was raised on possible referendum for library support -- C. Brown has discussed this option with Richard Johnson and both feel that individual meetings with Commissioners are needed before any feasibility study or further work on a referendum.

NEW BUSINESS

Naming Opportunities: C. Walsh lead the discussion. Research prepared by J. Morgan was shared with Library Board and Walsh also distributed some materials. Due to the growth of this trend, Walsh wished to open the discussion with the Foundation Board. C. Brown suggested adding this topic to individual meetings with Commissioners (in addition to Referendum possibility). This is a larger county-wide issue, doesn't just affect the Library. Suggestion was made that a Foundation Board member participate in the individual Commissioner meetings. Suggestion to look at "endowed chairs"/e.g. librarian positions.
**Add to agenda for fall Breakfast meeting with Commissioners.
**David Pratt will begin meeting with Foundation Development Committee to discuss this issue.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Charles Brown had sent a written report of activities. Building updates: Wayzata groundbreaking; Edina opening; Eden Prairie bids are in and under budget; Brookdale is scheduled for May 4 closing date for 18 months; Hopkins may be completed ahead of schedule; and St. Anthony is looking at opening Sunday, May 19, but still needs electricity.

MEMBER REPORTS
Carol Walsh: Inquired about next steps following the March retreat -- questions, advocacy.
**C. Brown will review the Retreat notes and will ask V. DeFord to attend the May Library Board meeting to facilitate discussion. Walsh attended the MELSA program on USA Patriot Act, along with David Pratt.

OTHER
Motion to approve the gifts was made by J. Gibbs & seconded by D. Harris; motion passed.
$9.95 Mary J. Anderson of Lanewood Publishing to the Eden Prairie Library for Book Graduation: celebrate with style! A graduation party planning guide.
200.00 Friends of the Excelsior Library to the Excelsior Library for one performance of Schiffelly Puppets.
398.75 Friends of the Excelsior Library to the Excelsior Library for 35 puppets from Folkmanis, Inc to be added to the circulation collection.
490.54 Friends of the Maple Grove Library to the Maple Grove Library for a BookPage subscription, aquarium maintenance, supplies for self-checkout day preparations, and an Art display through MG Arts Council.
203.45 Friends of the Minnetonka Library to the Minnetonka Library for browsing materials.
60.00Great Harvest Bread Company to the Minnetonka Library for cookies during the Dr. Seuss program.
262.68 Friends of the Plymouth Library to the Plymouth Library for poinsettias, refreshments for volunteer open house, inspirational fiction, refreshments for Youth programs, and gift books for Wayzata Parenting fair.
75.00Norman and Betty Welch donated 150 books for the St. Bonifacius Friends' Book Sale.
20.00 Anne Uselman donated 40 books for the St. Bonifacius Friends' Book Sale.
744.15 Friends of the St. Louis Park Library to the St. Louis Park Library used for new puppets for the library's grand re-opening.
94.26 Friends of the St. Louis Park Library to the St. Louis Park Library for board books to be used during the First Birthday Story Time in 2002.
139.00 Friends of the St. Louis Park Library to the St. Louis Park Library for custom framing of two prints for the children's area.
202.25 Friends of the St. Louis Park Library to the St. Louis Park Library for 1, 000 promotional magnets to be used during the library's grand re-opening.
56.00 Friends of the St. Louis Park Library to the St. Louis Park Library for promotional pencils and volunteers' t-shirts to be used during the library's grand re-opening.
10.00 Friends of the St. Louis Park Library to the St. Louis Park Library for an annual subscription to Elderhostel catalog.
76.63 Friends of the Westonka Library to the Westonka Library for a large acrylic poster holder.
285.00 Friends of the Westonka Library to the Westonka Library for 80 board books to be used during storytime.


ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by P. Izek, seconded by G. Haas; meeting was adjourned.

_____________________________
Dawn Harris, Secretary