Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Meeting Room 1B &1C
Tom Bunger, Rita Lichtenberg, Antonia Matthew, Christie Popp.
Vice-President Fred Risinger called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m.
The consent agenda (minutes of Jan. 21, 2009 Board meeting; minutes of Jan. 21, 2009 Board of Finance meeting; minutes of Jan. 21, 2009 Board executive session; minutes of Feb. 11, 2009 Board work session; monthly bills for payment; monthly financial report; personnel report; Board calendar) was presented for approval.
Penny Austin made a correction to the Jan. 21, 2009 minutes noting that she presented the slate of officers rather than John Walsh.
Penny Austin moved; Randy Paul seconded approval of the consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Sara Laughlin noted that she has rearranged her report to align with the Strategic Plan. She reported that circulation numbers remain high and that Saturdays “have exploded” quoting Josh Wolf, Children’s Department.
The Board discussed the “holds” process and numbers. Randy Paul asked whether there will be a limit to how many holds staff can handle. Sara said that some automation is being investigated and it is believed this will free up enough staff time to allow staff to deal with continued increases in holds requests.
Penny Austin asked for a description of the newest library channel show. Margaret Harter reported that the topic is “every child ready to read”. Josh Wolf added that it deals with the philosophy behind the program and features interviews with parents and programmers. Sara Laughlin added that there is also a feature on what happens inside the drive-up window. The program is airing on Channel 3.
Sara Laughlin presented a proposed minor revision to Personnel Manual Section 5.8 that deals with personal computer usage by staff. The revision originated in the Employee Forum and is meant to clarify two existing policies. The new policy states that MCPL staff computers, software, electronic files, and email accounts are library property intended for business use. Employees may use staff computers and non-MCPL email accounts for personal business during breaks and unpaid time in compliance with policies.
Penny Austin moved, Randy Paul seconded approval of the revision. Motion carried unanimously.
Randy Paul asked where union communication falls in the policy. Sara Laughlin said that it falls under personal email and email from outside organizations. Attorney Tom Bunger agreed and felt that no additional clarification is necessary.
Ellettsville librarian Penny Gillie, Children’s librarian Josh Wolf, and Circulation Department’s Sally Stribling presented a proposal for a Fine Option Program for Children.
Penny Gillie presented background information and the motivation for the proposed policy. She reported that more than 4,200 Monroe County children (about 1/3 of all with library cards) have blocked library cards due to overdue fines. The library does not charge late fees for overdue juvenile books but does charge for lost or damaged items. It also charges late fees for adult items checked out on children’s cards. The library offers options for partial payment of charges but this is frequently a problem for juveniles with limited resources. Many children are cut off from library resources due to overdue charges.
Sally Stribling reported that initially the Children’s and Circulation departments will be working in tandem to get children enrolled in the program. Circulation will identify the patron, update the account status to Fine Option Plan Children (FOPC), and begin the enrollment process. The Children’s Department will complete enrollment, explain details of the program, distribute program reading log, and assist with the first item selection. After the child has read/listened to the item, the Children’s Department staff will have a conversation with the child, issue a $5 waiver card to be taken to the Circulation Department, and help with selection of another item.
Josh Wolf stated that this program will give children another chance to establish a life-long learning relationship with the library and allow children to manage their own cards and become responsible library users.
The board commended staff on their presentation. Randy Paul felt that it was one of the best new policies to come forward. He asked if there was any way to stop parents from using a child’s card for borrowing. He felt that many parents with fines begin using their children’s cards. Josh Wolf felt that another policy would be required for that. This policy provides basically for a “new one-book card”. Sara Laughlin added that staff does try to insure that the right person is using the card. Bara Swinson said that the Circulation Department has been discussing some ideas and suggestions on the underlying policy for discussion at a later date.
Penny Austin asked about procedures for insuring that the books are actually read. Josh Wolf stated that staff will interact with the child when the item is returned, not a quizzing but a casual conversation for positive reinforcement. Josh Wolf added that staff has a nurturing relationship with many readers and hopes that a similar relationship will continue after children are finished with their reading logs and fines are paid off.
Melissa Pogue asked how children who do not come to the library will be reached. Josh Wolf said that the program will be promoted through the library’s continued outreach programs, public relations, visits to schools and agencies. Sara Laughlin added that the goal is to have the new program up and running so it can be promoted along with the Summer Reading Program.
Randy Paul asked if other libraries have similar programs. Penny Gillie said that MCPL’s policy has unique qualities such as using Polaris to track the “one-item” checkouts. Sara Laughlin added that she has heard from several libraries who are interested in seeing how it works out. Randy Paul asked how it will be gauged. Penny Gillie said monthly statistics will be kept with a year-end evaluation.
Fred Risinger thanked the staff for a very positive policy that will help children learn responsibility.
Penny Austin moved; Randy Paul seconded adoption of the Fine Option Program for Children. Motion carried unanimously.
Michael White stated that this is the 35th year of CATS operation at the library. CATS is funded by contracts with the Town of Ellettsville, City of Bloomington, and Monroe County from their franchise fees. Ellettsville and the City of Bloomington have been funding CATS with 50% of their franchise fees. Monroe County will this year be able to fund at a 50% level. This will establish funding neutrality among the three agencies as well as provide additional funding. These funds will enable the completion of Studio B thus allowing for additional live programming. Michael announced that CATS hopes to launch a local news initiative this year and will provide details and a proposal at the March board meeting.
The contract with the City of Bloomington is for $325,316 and the contract with Monroe County is for $200,000. All terms of the contracts remain the same as previous year.
The board thanked Michael White and the CATS staff for a high quality product.
Randy Paul moved; Penny Austin seconded approval of the contracts. Motion carried unanimously.
Michael White presented the resolution and provided background information. AT&T has been operating its U-verse system since March 2007 and is required by state law to provide public, educational, and governmental (PEG) channels on their system. To date they are not carrying the channels. Additionally, if AT&T were to carry the channels they would be accessed through a separate interface making them less accessible and with lower resolution. The resolution urges compliance with the requirement to carry the five PEG channels managed by MCPL as well as the channel managed by WTIU; equivalent placement of the channels, and equivalent full-screen broadcast quality.
Randy Paul moved, Penny Austin seconded approval of the resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
Randy Paul felt that it is an important issue and efforts should continue if this resolution is not successful.
Christy Popp, secretary of the Board of El Centro Latino Comunal, presented an update on the El Centro Latino Community. The organization is a social service nonprofit organization dealing primarily with the Spanish-speaking population. It provides information on resources and community events; educational activities such as computer classes and informative workshops; tax help; pro-bono legal clinic; and medical interpretation program with doctor’s offices. El Centro has two part-time employees.
Randy Paul and Penny Austin felt that it the present partnership is a very positive relationship.
Penny Austin moved; Randy Paul seconded approval of the $3,600 contract with El Centro Latino Community. Motion carried unanimously.
Sara Laughlin presented the resolution for a transfer from the 2008 Rainy Day Fund in the amount of $12,000 from Line Item 31200 (Engineering/Architectural Fees) to Line Item 31300 (Legal Services). The resolution is required to correct an error on the formal document submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. The funds were listed in the correct general category but on the wrong line item.
Randy Paul moved, Penny Austin seconded approval of the Rainy Day Fund Transfer Resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
Randy Paul asked whether there has been any movement toward the formation of a Long-Term Financial Planning task force. Sara Laughlin confirmed that it is on her list and she will be moving it forward.
Sara Laughlin announced that a handout has been prepared showing “return on investment” for the library showing $1.80 for each tax dollar. “Priceless programs” are listed on the back.
Sara Laughlin announced that a new report by Library Journal lists MCPL in the three-star (out of a possible five stars) category for libraries with a 5-9 million dollar budget, ranking it among the top 4 percent of public libraries nationally. The study is based on 2006 numbers.
None.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Contact
Us Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County, Indiana ° (812)349-3050
Updated:
April 3, 2009
° http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/board/200902min.html
