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MINUTES OF HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2002 The Hennepin County Library Board met on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at the Ridgedale Area Library. Present: Gerda Haas, Dawn Harris, Patricia Izek, David Pratt, Cynthia Steinke, Carol Walsh. Library Staff Attending: C.Brown, D.Cramer, J.Leick, N.Perron, M.Turner, E.Feinberg, G.Mueller Schultz, V.Deford, C.Ahrens, & B.Berg. Guests: Alanna Tyler (County Admin.) and Rosalyn Slomoff (patron/observer). Call to Order/Welcome/Public Comment The meeting was called to order by President David Pratt with a welcome to guests and staff. Public Comment: Ms. Rosalyn Slomoff addressed the Library Board with questions about the library collection policy -- 1) she was concerned about the number of items withdrawn and sold in the book sales, and 2) questioning the foreign language materials in the collection as relates to the balance of the collection. Charles Brown and Elizabeth Feinberg responded to these issues. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2002, meeting was made by G. Haas, seconded by C. Walsh; motion passed. PROGRAM: e-Library Update was presented by Marilyn Turner. COMMITTEE REPORTS Policy Committee: Cynthia Steinke noted that the revised Expense Policy had been sent to Library Board for review. She moved acceptance of the revised policy, Gerda Haas & Patricia Izek seconded, and the motion passed. As part of the Expense Policy, David Pratt reviewed the 2002 Board travel expense report; balance of the budget has been spent on collection. A listing of 2003 conferences was sent to the Board for consideration. Charles Brown made a special request for participation on February 19 for Library Legislative Day. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2003 Budget Presentation: C. Brown reported that everything went very well, positive responses from the Commissioners, and a well-received presentation. 2003 Meeting Schedule: One additional change to the schedule -- the January meeting will be held at Hopkins Library in conjunction with the art opening. P. Izek moved approval of the schedule, G. Haas seconded; motion passed. 2002 Budget: D. Cramer has figures through October, but no final report yet. 2003 budget will have several reductions based on the state financial report and deficit. Cramer reported that in conjunction with the Southdale renovation for the check out area, the bookstore will close at end of this year through the entire construction period. Since the revenue for Library Board Undesignated Gift Fund comes from sales of gifts at Southdale, all book sales will temporarily transfer to the Ridgedale bookstore which should not impact the fund. NEW BUSINESS Art: David Pratt had shared the Foundation art update with Library Board. He has asked Dawn Harris to be the Library Board representative on the Brookdale Art Committee. St. Louis Park Art: Electronic version of the final art piece had been sent to Board members for an informal electronic vote of approval (received 5 approving votes, no other votes). Motion by Carol Walsh to formally approve the selection of the art piece for St. Louis Park Library, seconded by Cynthia Steinke and Dawn Harris; motion passed. Eden Prairie Art: Cynthia Steinke gave background on the 5 proposed projects and artists -- 2 in children's area, 2 outdoors, and 1 with interior pillars. Carol Walsh moved approval of the five projects, Dawn Harris seconded, motion passed. County Open Appointment Process: Charles Brown reminded all that the process is now open, will be highlighted on the Library web page, and encourage anyone to apply for the two open terms [Patricia Izek and Carol Walsh]. Library Board March Retreat Follow Up: David Pratt had requested a discussion of the "Next Steps" from the retreat in March. Vicki DeFord was present to facilitate this discussion. Some of the Action items have been accomplished -- Library Board members have ID badges, Commissioner breakfast was hosted with the Foundation Board. "Come Meet Your Commissioner Day" at libraries was discussed with possible options; outcome: V.DeFord and N.Perron will look at upcoming major library programs and try to prepare a proposal for the Library Board. "Encourage Friends groups to interact with the County Board -- outcome: Library Board needs to define expected role of Friends and then identify appropriate training. "Review Strategic Plan" --outcome: scheduled for first quarter of 2003, Board will review the plan and make sure that Board efforts align with the Plan. Discussion Topics were also reviewed. The first two items were covered at the Commissioner Breakfast (themes and advocacy). MPL impact is ongoing. Legislative Day was discussed with a request for Board involvement/attendance. Naming policy has been covered in various e-mail messages. Role of the Board in national organizations -- outcome: should discuss on a future meeting agenda. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A written report was mailed in the Board packets. Charles reported briefly on construction projects: Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Brookdale, Maple Grove. MEMBER REPORTS D. Pratt: Requested bags of Cleveland Public Library bags of information from a recent HCL presentation. C. Walsh: New state budget figures were released today and Carol has contacted Jack Cole to see if he knew any of Gov.-elect Pawlenty transition team members, but he didn't. Even though she is not applying for reappointment to the Library Board, she plans to continue library contact by volunteering at the JACIC. Dawn Harris: she attended the Parliamentary Procedure workshop sponsored by the MN Bar Association and she will share a handout with Board members. OTHER There were no gifts for approval this month. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made and seconded; meeting was adjourned. _____________________________ Dawn Harris, Secretary |