Grace
A. Dow Memorial Library
Library Board
Minutes
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7
p.m.
I.
Roll Call
Soules called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Melissa Barnard, Maxine Brink, Sarah Galt, Tami Johnson, Norm
Neher, William Snover, Marilyn Soules
ABSENT: Kathleen Kinnish
ALSO PRESENT: Wendy Shields, Technical Secretary; Virginia McKane,
Assistant Director; John Palen, Midland
Issues
II.
Acceptance of May 20, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Minutes approved as
submitted.
III.
Additions or Changes to the Agenda
None
IV.
Public Comments
None
V.
Director’s Report
Barnard reminded everyone of
new Library hours effective Wednesday, July 1, 2009. New Library hours are 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Library is closed on Sunday from Memorial
Day through Labor Day. Barnard reported
that there were some patrons who thought the reduction in hours was a temporary
change; she confirmed that this change is permanent.
Also, the Library will be
closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th for the
Independence Day holiday.
Soules commented on the new
exterior sign at the Library that directs people to the main entrance and the
Auditorium/Lounge entrance.
Galt expressed thanks to the
public for their support of the Lincolns for the Library campaign. Barnard reported
that $516.84 was donated to purchase books and DVDs. There will be a special
display of these items in the Library and a list is available on the website.
Barnard reported that the
summer reading program has begun for both adults and children. A wrapper
publicizing the summer reading program was included in the Midland Daily News
Sunday, June 14th edition.
Barnard announced that the
One Book, One Community program is back by popular demand. The book title will be announced in the
July/August edition of the Library Connection.
The author will present a program at the Library on October 8th.
Barnard reported that Stealing
Buddha’s Dinner has been selected as the Great Michigan Read book for
2009. Copies of the book are now
available at the Library. The author
will visit Midland on October 15th.
Soules expressed thanks to
the local garden clubs for planting flowers on the Library grounds and the Teen
Advisory Board for their work on the Midland Blooms program. Board member Tami Johnson also helped with
Midland Blooms.
Galt asked about the
Babysitter Bags that were mentioned in the director’s report. Barnard explained that the Babysitter Bags
had several picture books, a DVD and activity sheets. Currently, the bags focus on preschool age
children.
Soules inquired about the
Social Networking Workshop that was sponsored by Mideastern Michigan Library
Cooperative. McKane responded that she
attended the workshop that focused on social networking vehicles such as
websites, RSS feeds, Facebook, Twitter, and Library Thing. Participants learned how to use these tools
and how they can be best applied to libraries.
VI.
Patron Compliments and Concerns
SIGNED COMMENTS:
1. I would like to see “new” section for MP3 Audio Books so a patron can quickly tell a new addition. I check them out a lot and it takes time to go back through them.
The library offers an online newsletter that will alert you of new
additions. To subscribe:
On our webpage click on “New at the Library”
Scroll down and click on New Audiobooks
Click on “Sign up for email newsletters”
Scroll down to “MP3 Audiobooks” and click on the box
Enter your email address and click on “Subscribe”
2. It is a real privilege to have access to a truly outstanding library with an outstanding book collection here in Midland. Kudos to the director and staff for your excellent work. As my husband and I travel, we frequently visit libraries in other Michigan cities, using WiFi access, reading newspapers and perusing their book collections. Sometimes we are a bit surprised but heartened to find outstanding facilities in even the smallest towns. An observation from our experience is that some of these small towns have self-checkout of most items. I recall that this has been investigated for the GA Dow library. Can you tell me whether it is still under consideration?
Self check-out is a service that
the library would like to offer but given the economic environment and the cost
to implement, it is not possible at this time.
3. Better signage for oversize books would be most helpful. There is only one sign, above the 700’s. There is no way to know where the lower numbers are. It would also be helpful if the main stacks area had some information about where to look for oversize books.
Staff will be addressing this concern.
UNSIGNED COMMENTS:
1. I am very frustrated and angry at the appearance and contents of the “Book Express”!!! Four to six month old books, books placed every-which-way on the shelves, no current or up to date books or list of books!! Other smaller libraries and Meijer have a better updated selection of books. If these matters do not improve in the near future, I will go elsewhere.
The Book Express collection is kept neat. Books are added weekly. If the list is missing, please inform the
staff at the Reference Desk. Books
remain in the collection as long as they continue to be checked out.
Six comments from users of conference rooms requesting that library stay open until 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Budget reductions and new hours were approved before these comments
were received. The Conference Rooms will be available for use until 8:25 p.m.
on weekday evenings beginning July 1, 2009.
Two positive comments on flowers in planters in front of library.
VII.
Old Business
a. Board/Community
Communications
The board discussed whether or not to continue the
Board column in the Library Connection.
In the past, the column has been used to answer questions and give book
suggestions. In response to the Board’s
request of statistics for books that had been recommended, Barnard explained
that our current system can’t calculate the statistics for a specific title on
a monthly basis. This makes it difficult
to determine the impact of the column.
Johnson questioned whether the space was needed for other purposes. Barnard responded that the space could be
used. Johnson noted that the column is a
good link to the community. Neher
suggested the Board cease publication of the column to see if there is any
reaction. The Library Connection will continue to note when the Library Board
meets and announce when members leave or are appointed to the Board. It was suggested that Board contact
information be added to this space with a note like “we welcome your comments
and suggestions.” As a result of the
discussion, the board decided to discontinue the Board column until further
notice or when a need arises.
b. Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative Board
Report
Soules reported that the current director is retiring
in the fall and four candidates were interviewed as his replacement. The committee recommended two candidates to
the Cooperative Board. The Board will
offer the position to their choice of candidate. At this time, no official announcement has
been made.
Soules reported that there will be a 4% cut in state
aid to libraries this fiscal year that will affect Cooperative services. An additional 15% cut has been proposed by
the State Senate. Barnard stated that
this additional cut would impact the library’s budget. Currently state aid makes up approximately
$50,000 out of the Library’s $4 million dollar budget.
c. Library Board Goals
Committee Reports
Soules called
upon board members to report on the activities of their committees.
Goal 1: Advise
library staff and evaluate processes and procedures related to technology use
and instruction at the library.
Board members
assigned: Neher, Galt, Johnson
Report was presented
in January 2009
Goal 2: Participate
in the review of the Library’s Mission Statement and development of a strategic
plan.
Board members
assigned: Galt, Soules, Kinnish
Library staff is
working on action plans for the short term and long term goals. The Board will have the opportunity to review
and approve the statements and strategic plan at the August meeting.
Goal 3: Participate
in the City of Midland Community Roundtable discussions regarding city
services, including the services of the library, to provide input in
identifying city budget priorities for fiscal year 2009-2010.
This goal was
completed in October 2008.
Goal 4: Suggest
innovative marketing strategies to communicate library services and programs to
the community.
Board members
assigned: Kinnish, Soules, Snover
Barnard reviewed
the ideas presented by the Northwood University students that were most
relevant and applicable.
d. Library Board Annual Report
Committee – Galt, Johnson, Soules
Soules reported
that the committee has been meeting and will have a preliminary draft at the
August meeting.
e. Board Member Appointment
City Council
will interview three candidates for the vacant Board position on Monday, June
22nd. The new Board member
will be approved at the June 22nd City Council meeting and will
start at the August meeting.
f. Nominations Committee Report
& Elections of Officers for 2009-2010 – Kinnish, Soules
The committee
presented the following slate of officers for appointment:
Chair – Sarah
Galt
Vice Chair –
Tami Johnson
Brink motioned
that the slate be accepted. Neher
seconded the motion. Motion passed. The new officers begin their term on August
19th.
VIII.
New Business
a. Mideastern Michigan Library
Cooperative Plan of Service Approval
The Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative Plan of
Service was presented for approval.
Brink made a motion to accept the changes in the MMLC Plan of
Service. Galt seconded. Motion passed.
IX.
Board Announcements
Snover read a statement expressing his appreciation
to the Board, the community and the library staff for his time on the board.
Soules thanked Snover for his words and his service
to the Board.
X.
Adjournment
Brink moved to adjourn. Snover seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.