MINUTES OF

HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2003

The Hennepin County Library Board met on Wednesday, September 17, 2003, at the Plymouth Community Library.

Present: John Gibbs, Gerda Haas, Dawn Harris, Patricia Izek, Peter Miller, David Pratt, and Cynthia Steinke.

Library Staff Attending: C.Brown, D.Cramer, J.Morgan, N.Perron, S.Charles, E.Feinberg, G.Mueller-Schultz, C.Fischer, L.Lenroot-Ernt , C.Ahrens, & B.Berg.

Guests: No guests were present.

Call to Order/Welcome/Public Comment

The meeting was called to order by President David Pratt with a welcome to all. There was no public comment.

Cathy Fischer, Plymouth Principal Librarian, reported that the Plymouth Library was opened 8 years ago today, and remarked on the development of the area around library, known as Plymouth City Center. Development includes retail shops, Lunds, large community center, 5 banks, theater, medical offices, plus new senior apartment complex just opened nearby. Using the Library Strategic Directions/Critical Success Factors, Ms. Fischer reported on Plymouth progress. 1) Customer-driven service: Technology training, web training and 3-library; just began Roles & Services process; staff have defined excellent customer service. 2) Lifelong Learning: meeting room becomes a literacy center when not in use, 31 workstations w/Internet access. 3) Diversity: large global village reflecting population of Plymouth; 14 teen volunteers for summer program; hosting Libros 'y Mas program with community on 9/20/03. 4) Relationships & Resources: Lots of volunteers that help library run smoothly; very active Friends group; mural in children's area; and review of other community collaboratives. Children's Readmobile information and tour was provided for Board members.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2003 meeting by G.Haas, seconded by D.Harris; motion passed.

Committee Reports

No Policy Committee report.

Unfinished Business

Periodical Collection Update: Gail Mueller-Schultz presented background on the Faxon contract; Faxon filed bankruptcy in December 2002; some publishers "graced" for a period of time and some of the subscriptions are available online; gaps in periodical runs will not be filled, but will be available through interlibrary loan. County has filed a claim for damages; taking direction from County Purchasing and County Attorney's Office. Working on a new periodicals contract, vendor may be EBSCO.

2004 Budget: C.Brown reported that last week the County Board approved a lower tax levy limit than that recommended by the County Administrator--this will definitely impact the library. October 13, 10:00 a.m., is scheduled for the Library budget presentation before the County Board; Library Board members planning to attend: J.Gibbs, G.Haas, D.Pratt, and P.Miller.

New Business

County Board Briefing on CIPA: Scheduled for November 13, 10:00 a.m., at the Government Center. C.Brown will lay out all the information available on Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the financial impact of not filtering. LSTA and e-rate funding -- filtering should be linked to funding streams and amounts. A more formal presentation will be made to the Library Board at the Oct. 22 meeting.

Director's Report

Construction update: Nothing to report on Eden Prairie and Maple Grove. Commissioner Opat toured the Brookdale site and would like a May 2004 opening. Southdale renovations are on track and is re-opening on Monday, Sept. 22.

Member Reports

David Pratt: In August, David & John Gibbs met with Commissioner Mike Opat. David has asked John to set up a Task Force with Cynthia and Dawn to look at long range plans and building proposals [see the July 23, 2003 minutes]. Proposed that the December meeting include a light supper to be paid by Board members, with dinner at 5:00, meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Ridgedale.

Patricia Izek: Will be at Plymouth City Center this weekend to assist with the Libros 'y Mas program; she plans to ride with the Readmobile to Richfield area sites.

Cynthia Steinke: She and Gerda toured the Brookdale Library site with M. McConnell.

Gerda Haas: Visited the Readmobile; Brookdale Library tour; represented the Board at three staff retirements.

Dawn Harris: Brookdale Art Committee meeting was held on Oct. 17; she will probably have art for review and approval at the December 3 Library Board meeting.

Peter Miller: Looked at the Eden Prairie building site and was concerned about the condition to the building as it sits exposed to the elements. Charles Brown responded to his concerns.

John Gibbs: Also concerned about the Eden Prairie site and the reflection of the library on the community.

Other

Gifts to the Library:

$434.17 Friends of the Brooklyn Park Library for balloons and helium, children's programs, and coffee pot.

Two copies of THE PACT by Wally Roer to EP Library, from local Barnes & Noble

contact.

506.35 Eden Prairie MOMS Club donated seven puzzles, three magnetic numbers and letters sets, children's blocks, ABC carpet squares, and realia for pretend play.

115.00 Friends of the Eden Prairie Library for large scheffelara for front window.

700.00 Friends of the Eden Prairie Library for gift certificates for Summer 2003 Read to Win program.

74.32 Lee Schubert donated flowers for the front planters at Eden Prairie Library.

409.70 Friends of Golden Valley Library for slatwall merchandising supplies and merchandising easels.

470.10 Friends of Maple Grove Library support of summer activities, author and writing contest, and aquarium maintenance.

250.00 Penn Lake staff member donated a painting for the Children's Area.

750.00 Friends of the Penn Lake Library donated 4,000 Penn Lake Library address/phone/hours information magnets as public give-aways.

8,478.07 Friends of the Plymouth Library: Mural Extension, wire baskets, winter storytimes, valentine workshop, Hot Read program prizes, bookshelves for teen area, inspirational fiction, staff lounge supplies, Read to Win prizes, plans for outdoor planters, Early Literacy Center supplies, summer program supplies from MELSA, display shelves for videos, Lorna Landvik appearance, and summer program performer fee.

182.50 Friends of the Plymouth Library: summer program supplies from MELSA.

598.66 Friends of Westonka Library: Barnes & Noble Gift certificates for summer weekly drawing, puppets, Barnes & Noble gift certificates for kite decorating contest, ALA posters, bead workshop, Mehndi workshop, express reserves pickup signage.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by P.Izek, and seconded; meeting adjourned.

_____________________________

Dawn Harris, Secretary