City Hall Council Chambers

I. Roll Call

Galt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Melissa Barnard, Maxine Brink, Sarah Galt, Tami Johnson, Kathleen Kinnish, Norm Neher, Suzanne Phillips, Marilyn Soules

ALSO PRESENT: Wendy Shields, Technical Secretary; Virginia McKane, Assistant Director

II. Acceptance of February 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Motion to accept minutes made by Soules, seconded by Brink. Motion passed.

III. Additions or Changes to the Agenda

None

IV. Public Comments

None

V. Director’s Report

Barnard called the Board’s attention to the newspaper article on the Battle of the Books program. The final two teams were highlighted in an ad congratulating both teams.

Galt mentioned the Camp Kick Off on Saturday, March 20 at the Midland Center for the Arts. The event is from 12 p.m. – 4p.m. The Library will be represented at the City Booth.

Galt congratulated Brink on her “Making Democracy Work” award from the League of Women Voters.

Kinnish reminded everyone of the upcoming dates the Library will be closed: Friday, April 2^nd, Sunday, April 4^th.

VI. Patron Compliments and Concerns

SIGNED COMMENTS:

1. Please place return date stickers horizontally instead of vertically, especially on paperback books, as many times it is impossible to read the content blurb on the back of the book. Thanks for considering this.

The due date stickers are difficult to place and not cover up information. Patrons continue to prefer using this method for the due date even with the receipts provided that list materials checked out.

UNSIGNED COMMENTS:

None

VII. Old Business

a. Board/Community Communications

Soules shared a compliment from a patron on the Library’s extensive large print book collection.

b. Mid-Michigan Library Cooperative Report

Soules was unable to attend the meeting this month, but was able to give some information from the packet she received. The Michigan Department of Education has begun downsizing the Library of Michigan collections per the Governor’s executive order. The Library of Michigan will be faced with further reductions in the next fiscal year with a 23% budget cut.

Soules also mentioned a proposal to reduce the number of Cooperative Board meetings from six to three per year.

c. Library Board Goals Committee Reports

Goal 1: Phillips, Neher

Postponed 2-10.

Goal 2: Galt, Soules

Board members shared ways that they are reaching out to the community to inform them of all the library has to offer. Soules has the college newspaper letters ready to be sent to those publications. Neher has distributed copies of the Library Connection to acquaintances. He is talking with the library paraprofessionals about the value of providing copies of the newsletter in the media centers for students and parents. Galt left a newsletter in a school office area. Soules mailed copies to contacts with a note. Brink distributed copies of the Library Connection to participants at a Midland County Township Officials meeting.

Barnard reported that she followed up with the Supervisor of Youth Services on a suggestion that Teen Advisory Board members make posters highlighting library services for teens to be displayed at the middle and high schools.

Goal 3: Kinnish, Brink, Johnson

A preliminary draft of the application was distributed to the Board. There was discussion regarding additions and corrections that needed to be made. Once these revisions are made, pictures will be added to the application as well as letters of support from the community. The original deadline for submission was incorrect. The official deadline is April 2^nd.

d. Expiring Board Terms: Neher, Kinnish, Brink

Kinnish has decided to retire from the Library Board at the end of her term in June.

Neher will be retiring from Midland Public Schools in June. Midland Public Schools is recommending Laura Peterson for appointment by City Council.

The Midland County Township Association has recommended that Brink be re-appointed as their representative to the Library Board. This appointment should happen at the March 22^nd City Council meeting.

VIII. New Business

a. Library Board Annual Report Committee

Item to be discussed at the April meeting.

b. City of Midland 2010-2011 Budget Schedule

4/12/10 Proposed budget to City Council

4/19/10 Council Work Session

4/26/10 Budget Hearing #1

5/10/10 Budget Hearing #2

5/24/10 Scheduled budget adoption

All meetings are at 7p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. These meetings will be shown on MCTV Channel 96 and are available on on-demand video from the city’s website.

IX. Board Announcements

Soules commented on the thank you to volunteers that appeared in the Library Connection. She appreciated the recognition.

Johnson encountered the Crafty Readers in the library parking lot flying the kites they had made. She complimented the staff on how organized and well thought out the event was. She also recommended the electronic resource, Tumblebooks, for patrons with young children.

X. Adjournment

Soules moved to adjourn. Neher seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.