Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tomy Allison, John Anderson, Tom Bunger, Patty Callison, Greg Crouch, Cindy Haufman, John Irvine, Dana Jackson, Vic Kelson, Jill Lesh, Rita Lichtenberg, Antonia Matthew, Geoff McKim, Richard Rubin,, Joe Lesh, and Charlotte Zietlow.
President Steve Moberly called the meeting to order 5:45pm in Meeting Rooms 1B & 1C.
Steve read an e-mail request he received at home for documents and information for MCPL by Steven Higg (Bloomington Alternative). Steve reported that he had spoke to the library attorney, and on Friday July 13 asked the library director to answer the questions posed, and to prepare a detail response for Steve's approval. Stated said from the outset, he has made it clear to director Gray and to our attorneys, that we will provide all documents in accordance to federal and state law. Steve reported that all information was completed this afternoon and he personally hand delivered it to a Bloomington Alternative reporter.
Steve presented minutes and asked Trustees to review minutes.
Linda Hunt moved to approve the minutes. John Walsh seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Monthly Bills for Payment were presented.
Linda moved for approval. Fred Risinger seconded. The vote was unanimous.
The Monthly Financial Report was presented. Bonnie Estell stated we are staying within our budget.
Janice Stockton moved to approve the report. Fred seconded. The vote was unanimous.
The Personnel Report was presented.
Penny Austin moved to approve it. Linda Hunt seconded. The vote was unanimous.
The Board of Trustees Calendar was presented. Randy Paul stated that he thinks we should have a Board meeting next Wednesday, July 25 at 5:45 regarding the Budget. Randy asked if staff could prepare numbers that were taken away by 2006 (retirement/benefits). Steve responded that he has already asked Ginger to gather information on that.
Cindy Gray presented information on INCOLSA, and stated that INCOLSA asks for members to send representatives to meetings. Cindy said that typically it has been the manager of Collection Services. Cindy recommended Pam Wasmer to be the library's representative.
Fred moved to approve the appointment of Pam Wasmer. Linda Hunt seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Cindy Gray responded to comments regarding the 2nd floor reorganization project, and stated that this project was in the works when we approached the County Council with our LCPF. The goals we have set for the 2nd floor reorganization are steadfast. This includes: Relocate A-V to 2nd floor, widen Indiana Room entrance, enhance Kirkwood entrance, permanently have security desks at 1st floor, redesign pick-up area for public, paint exterior trim and accessories, plan for enhancement for interior signage and outdoor signage, and refigure desk for 2nd floor if possible. The total cost involved is $142,000, plus $138,000 for carpeting.
Discussion followed regarding the cost for renovation of the Bookstore (Cindy stated the library would not give any money towards renovation to the Bookstore; the Friends will provide the funds), and the advantages of having A-V move to the 2nd floor (Steve Backs provided the Board with information relating to this; addressing difficulties Adult Services have with 3 different service areas).
Fred reminded the Board that as the newest Board member he wasn't here when a decision was made to approve the 2nd floor project, but his e-mail is overflowing with e-mails regarding the library. Because of this, and based on the tremendous amount of public comment and staff input, Fred moved to reject the 2nd floor reorganization project. The motion included 3 parts: 1) that we reject the bid for the 2nd floor project for the time-being, the proposal to move the audio-visual materials and service desk to the second floor, 2) that we re-bid the 2nd floor reorganization project focusing on those items which can be characterized as preventative maintenance and repair, and 3) after the Strategic Planning process is complete, we invite the staff, acknowledging the time and effort they have already spent on this effort, to submit plans for remodeling of any and all departments and areas within the main MCPL branch. Randy Paul seconded the motion, and commented on the public applause after Fred's motion which spoke loudly for the public.
John Walsh said he was disappointed this plan has been discussed for 2 years and it now is being discussed again. John stated that a great deal of money will have been wasted, and he is disappointed that this has been presented as a project to move A-V upstairs. The main plan is to improve public services. John said he is disappointed in what he is hearing, but he will support Fred's motion.
Janice Stockton said she agrees with John and is disappointed that we had not heard more previously. Janice has been on Board for 2 years, and basically indicated that she has not heard anything until recently about the concerns of public and staff. Janice said that people need to constantly be vigilant and involved, and not just when something disturbs them exceptionally. Janice challenged the public to remain involved, and stated she appreciated John's statement, and feels very much the same way.
Fred acknowledge the staff's time in coming up with this project and working on it. He stated in the future we can ask Administration and staff to present a new plan.
Linda Hunt said that the Board had ample discussion on this, in the public, and she personally is a proponent of moving A-V upstairs, and making Indiana Room more visible. Linda said "What's happened here is unfortunate. This has become a huge political issue. I feel it is the library's responsibility to take care of the library, and I don't think we should be intimidated by what we presented to the County Council, or should be limited by this. There will always be things that need to be done."
After discussion concluded, Steve asked for public comment on this agenda item.
Rita Lichtenberg spoke to the Board and stated that she thinks we should remember this library was designated as one of the best in the country; 2nd in the country for this size. She reminded that when we change things, we want to change them for the better, and stated that she has been against moving A-V from the beginning as it should be kept separately. Rita said "I will fight as hard as I can. I think it should be stopped now, and I think you made a mistake when you moved A-V and AS together.
Charlotte Zietlow spoke to the Board and acknowledged her appreciation for Fred's motion. Charlotte stated that there are a number of issues of the community that need to be addressed as well as this. Charlotte said "This library is well respected, but the staff is the heart and core of this library and their professionalism represents knowledge to the community. As we go forward, we really do understand the value of this staff to the people"
Valerie Merriam spoke to the Board indicating her support to the library capital project fund, and pleased that the library had received some of the money from the proposal. She also stated "Ellettsville and the Bookmobile are waiting with needs. Is the renovation at Main the best order at this point, given the money you have?"
Greg Crouch spoke to the Board, stating he has been a resident of Monroe County for 12 years. He stated "You have an excellent library here. My concern is we are like in a déjà vu experience. We are repeating a scene similar to one that happened with a director a few years ago. Most of us who use the library have a range of expectation. Knowledge courteous staff, and money (tax dollars) well spent, as we are paying taxes for essential services. All organizations change, they never stay the same. We want to have a director with a vision. If we turn the library over to a committee, we could end up with problems. I hope we can take this out of the public form. It doesn't serve best interest with public hostility."
Cindy Haufman thanked the Board for their service, and stated "This is getting a lot of public attention and public heat. Naively I thought the staff was my representative. They, I believe, note the opinion of patrons. I ask the Board, when was staff involved in these decisions."
Cindy Gray responded that in June, 2005 this project was brought forward, and staff were involved from the beginning. Any staff who wanted to be involved have been involved.
Cindy Haufman said "That is my greatest concern; is staff involved. I am uncomfortable with the business model that has snuck it's way into government. I appreciate everything the Board does, and I am very much in favor of the union and of staff.
John Irvine told the Board that he was opposed to what Greg Crouch said. John stated "You have to nurture staff. The idea that we have to regidly follow a business procedure is absurd. No one will be in favor of a bond issue, if you do this."
Dana Jackson asked the Board if they want union comments to be a part of this agenda item discussion. Steve Moberly replied, no, not at this time, but reminded Dana that she could later in public comment.
Dana talked about the business model, which she said began when strategic planning began under the direction of Director David Ivey, and it was driven by economics. Dana said, "The thing you have that is unique to you is your staff. Certain things gobble money, but your staff is your unique resource. How well staff feel is how well they serve you. The business model is a model based on quantitative features. Not qualitative. It's your job as Trustees to keep in mind quantitative and qualitative, and keep the qualitative on top. The rugs are the least of our worries."
A patron named Peter spoke to the Board and stated "I came here originally to address the union, but I want to address this agenda item. I am the president of the union at IU. I am a cataloger at the library; I love it and am dedicated to it. Regarding embracing change, we deal with it at IU, all the time. The impression I have gotten from this renovation project is that you have a large part of staff that feel their input is not valued. They sense there is favoritism that has gone on. You need to help staff to see and understand problems. If changes improve the ability of the library to serve, then I would strongly encourage the staff to get on Board with it, but for whatever reason the staff feel they haven't been heard with this project, they need to understand what's happening and be given the tools to work with change. Staff feel their input has not been valued. They are the contact point, the ones who deal with public all the time. They need to be listened to, and nurtured. If you want to keep these e-mails out of the paper, let staff speak with a unionized voice, and let them become union. The union will keep staff in line. The union will help staff to understand why changes like the 2nd floor renovation are important."
Tom Gillespie spoke to the Board, saying that he thinks the 2nd floor project was a vision, not a change thing. He told the Board that they need to ask how they will maintain this change.
Vic Kelson, member of the County Council, spoke to the Board, saying "I am a father of 2 kids who use the library continuously. The idea of moving A-V upstairs doesn't appeal to me. It is very convenient to have A-V downstairs. I think it will be uncomfortable for parents with small children to move their kids in tow to 2nd floor. I also feel like I have to respond to remarks that were made at the beginning of the meeting made by Director Gray. I thought this project was off the table at the 2nd meeting. At our 1st meeting, this project was controversial. What was not made clear to us was the notion that this project had been bumped up the priority list instead of bumped down. I don't want to micromanage director, but I didn't think this would become the very first project following the LCPF."
Randy Paul moved the quest on the floor. The motion was repeated, and passed unanimously.
Cindy Gray presented information on the strategic plan and asked Margaret Harter to present additional information at the podium. Margaret reported to the Board that invitations had gone out encouraging the public to attend focus groups. Margaret said that we will also encourage public to come to a public forum, and have sent out a press release to a number of organizations in the community. Margaret also reported that Cindy Gray has recorded a PSA that will come out on CATS channels.
There was none.
There was none.
There was no additional public comment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:04pm.
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