MINUTES OF

HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD

MAY 24, 2006

 

The Hennepin County Library Board met on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at Rockford Road Library.

 

Present: John Gibbs, Patricia Izek, Jeffrey Lunde, David Pratt, Therese VanBlarcom

Library Staff Attending: Amy Ryan, Janet Leick, Lois Langer Thompson, Judy Hohmann, Sharon Charles, Ardis Wiley, and Bill Berg

 

CALL TO ORDER

John Gibbs, President called the Hennepin County Library Board Meeting of May 24, 2006 to order at 5:10 p.m. with a welcome to all.  

 

PROGRAM

  • Rockford Road Library – Lois Langer Thompson

Lois welcomed the Library Board to Rockford Road (RR) Library. Rockford Road will be celebrating its 35 anniversary in 2007. Built in 1972, remodeled and expanded in 1997, the library is integrally involved in the community. RR is a bustling place for adults, families, children, teens and senior citizens.  Baby Storytime is offered year round, and Senior Surf days were increased all based on customer requests.

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Amy E. Ryan

  • Library Tours

Amy reviewed 2005 Library Tours and discussed the Proposed 2006 Library Tours. Preliminarily the proposed tours were accepted. Library Foundation and Friends of the Libraries will be invited to attend the 2006 Library Tours.

  • September Meeting Location

As of now, the September Library Board meeting is scheduled for Golden Valley Library. It is understood that the Board would like to host their meeting around a program. The fall programs will not be finalized until mid to late July, which we will revisit to consider moving the location of the September to another location based on program availability.

  • Library Board Meeting at the New Central Minneapolis Public Library

David Pratt had suggested that the Board consider hosting one of its 2006 meetings at the New Central Minneapolis Public Library. Amy suggested the Board look at 2007, and possibly a Saturday meeting. The members discussed possible alternatives including the following: 1)2006 summer meeting, 2) Wednesday morning meeting, 3) do not have a board meeting at MPL, but tour the facility inviting Commissioners, and Foundation Trustees. It was agreed to move forward as follows: 1) one HCL tour, 2) tour MPL in July, 3) invite Commissioners and post as a public meeting.                                                                                                                LAID OVER

  • Hennepin County Technology Task Force Community Conversation-June 14, 2006

Amy outlined the day of event: 6:00-6:30p Tour Brooklyn Park, 6:30-7:00p Staff Forum, 7:00-8:00p Community Conversation.

  • Comparative Statistic Update

Addressed questions from last meeting bringing attention to the Hennen Report

  • Cooperative Arrangements and Merging Systems: Hennepin County Library & Minneapolis Public Library

The Commissioners talked with Sandy Vargas about the two systems moving forward regarding merging. A study was completed a few years ago, review this study. What would Hennepin County Library actually gain from the two systems merging? This is a big issue and a longtime issue. The Central Library of Minneapolis has brought this focus to the forefront especially with a lot of the Minneapolis Libraries closed during evenings and weekends.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Agenda was unanimously approved changing the order of business on the Agenda

 

MINUTES

  • April 26, 2006

Patricia Izek moved approval of minutes, seconded by David Pratt and approved unanimously – 5 YEAS 2 ABSENT (Guncheon & Steinke)                                                                                APPROVED

 

BOARD REPORTS

  • Patricia Izek

-          Attended Plymouth Library Fashion Show, proceeds from show being donated to Plymouth Local History Collection

-          Attended the opening of Minneapolis Public Library, Central Library

 

 

  • Therese VanBlarcom

-          Met with Amy Ryan, Janet Leick, and Richard P. Johnson who gave a great overview of the County

  • David Pratt

-          Working with the Library Foundation redefining mission and goals

-          Retreat is forthcoming on June 22, 2006, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Ridgedale

-          Attended meeting with Amy, Minneapolis Foundation Minnesota Meeting at Minneapolis Convention Center – Discussion regarding raising educations levels up for minorities

  • Jeffrey Lunde

-          Attended meeting with parents who home school their children and discussed how better to use the library and additional programs during the day

-          Library’s in Fargo – Amazing Race: Teaches youth how to locate materials in the library

  • John Gibbs

-          Legislature passed the Stadium Bill. Had discussion with a few of the Commissioners regarding the dollars allotted to the library. This would affect all libraries in Hennepin County to help break down some of the barriers between the two systems.

 

NEW BUSINESS

  • Review Library Board Policies – Lois Langer Thompson, Library Services Division Manager

-          Freedom to Read (LB6), Freedom to View (LB7), Information Services (BL11), and Library Bill of Rights (LB 13)

·         LB13 Bill of Rights Policy

Lois Langer Thompson asked the Board to approve LB13, Library Bill of Rights policy, no changes has occurred. John Gibbs motioned for approval, Patricia Izek moved approval, seconded by Jeff Lunde and approved for another 3 years – 5 YEAS 2 ABSENT (Guncheon & Steinke)                                  APPROVED

·         LB7 Freedom to View Policy

Patricia Izek moved approval of Freedom to View Policy, seconded by David Pratt and approved unanimously – 5 YEAS 2 ABSENT (Guncheon & Steinke)                                                         APPROVED

·         LB6 Freedom to Read Policy

There are changes forthcoming in this policy and further review is necessary. Policy was laid over until next meeting.                                                                                                                  LAID OVER

·         LB11 Information Services Policy

This policy will return at the end of summer 2006.                                         LAID OVER

 

OLD BUSINESS

  • LB12 Internet Public Use Policy

Therese VanBlarcom moved to approved LB12 Internet Public Use Policy, seconded by Jeff Lunde and approved unanimously – 5 YEAS 2 ABSENT (Guncheon & Steinke)                       APPROVED

  • 2007 Budget Update – Janet Leick

Janet discussed the particularly parameters around the 2007 Proposed Budget and strategy for request for additional dollars for Hennepin County Library.

  • Capital Plan Process – Janet Leick

Janet Leick and the Operations Division will present to County Commissioners at a Board Briefing on July 20, 2006, 9:30 a.m., the proposed plan of capital projects. Library Board is welcome to attend

 

ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS

David Pratt moved to accept gifts, and approved unanimously by the Board – 5 YEAS 2 ABSENT (Guncheon & Steinke)                                                                                                                           APPROVED

                $3,484.38 – Edina Library

                $   388.00 – Westonka

                $3,872.38 – TOTAL GIFTS

There being no further business, the Library Board Meeting for May 24, 2006 was declared adjourned at 6:16 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 5:00 p.m., Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield.

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Holly Guncheon, Secretary