Grace
A. Dow Memorial Library
Library Board
Minutes
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 7
p.m.
I.
Roll Call
Galt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Melissa Barnard, Maxine Brink, Michael Burhans, Sarah Galt, Tami
Johnson, Laura Peterson, Suzanne Phillips, Marilyn Soules
ALSO PRESENT: Wendy Shields, Technical Secretary; Virginia McKane,
Assistant Director; Marty Wazbinski, City Council member
II.
Introduction of New Board Members
Galt introduced the new Board members, Burhans and Peterson, who each
made a brief statement about themselves.
III.
Acceptance of June 16, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Motion to
accept minutes made by Brink, seconded by Soules. Motion passed.
IV.
Additions or Changes to the Agenda
None
V.
Public Comments
None
VI.
Director’s Report
Barnard reminded the Board
that the Library will be closed Monday, September 6th for the Labor Day holiday. Sunday hours will resume on September 12th.
Barnard noted the new
digital signage in the lobby which will be used to promote the Library and its
programs. The hardware and software were
donated by the Friends of the Library.
Barnard announced a new
format for the Library Connection newsletter.
This streamlined format will be more efficient with no graphics, using
less staff time to produce and reducing printing costs by going to two-color. Galt complimented the new look of the
newsletter.
Barnard expressed
appreciation to the 179 teens who volunteered 1,350 hours in Youth Services
during the Summer Reading Program.
A new book discussion group
will begin this fall. The “Not Too
Serious” Book Club will meet once a month in the morning. The fall series will focus on mysteries. The “Books and Bites” Book Club will continue
as before.
The very successful Summer
Reading Program ended on August 14th. Statistics for this program are not yet
available.
Phillips asked about the ACT
workshops being presented by Youth Services.
This is the first time that the Library has partnered with Kaplan Test
Prep Services to provide the free workshops for students preparing to take the
ACT test. There has been a positive response
to these workshops. Other workshop
topics will be presented in the fall.
Galt commented on the low
attendance numbers for some of the adult programs, specifically classic movies
and computer classes. Barnard explained
that the computer class registrations are at the maximum number of 10 but not
all who register attend. This is an
issue that the staff has and will continue to address. The continuing of classic movies has been
discussed due to low attendance. There
are some seniors who attend regularly.
The staff time and cost are minimal.
VII.
Patron Compliments and Concerns
SIGNED COMMENTS:
1. I participated in the adult summer reading program. Thank you, I enjoyed it. I would like to see the entry cards for the drawing copied on paper and not cardstock. This way slips can be recycled and the cost is much lower for paper. Thank you.
Slips will be shredded and
recycled.
2. Awesome, the best library I have ever visited.
3. Please think about fixing your wireless service. It has gotten slower and less reliable over the past year. More bandwidth would be amazing. Love this place. Please keep it awesome.
Bandwidth limitations do not allow
for downloading large files. This would
be disruptive to other wireless users.
4. I would like to say I overall really appreciate the services at the library. But I was wondering why members are limited to a set time on the computer even when no one is waiting to get on them! I can understand it in order for someone else to have equal opportunity!
Although a computer reservation
system is provided, not all of the library patrons are in the habit of using
the system. Time limits ensure that all
patrons have the opportunity to use the library computers.
5. The youth group library help are very nice people (all of them). Thank you for hiring such wonderful people.
UNSIGNED COMMENTS:
1. I regret the loss of the videos – some things are not duplicated on DVDs.
The circulation of the videos in the VHS format had significantly
decreased and the condition of the tapes was problematic. When possible, DVD replacements were
purchased.
2. I have experienced a maddening lack of reliability on the libraries Wi-Fi. Using various library laptops, I consistently get download speeds no greater than 25 kb/s. Half the speed of Dial-up! This is while the “signal strength excellent” wireless status is showing. Weeks of consistently unacceptable speeds for downloading makes me think this is 1988 and not 2010! Virtually unusable for modern needs.
Bandwidth limitations do not allow for
downloading large files. This would be
disruptive to other wireless users.
3. Where are all the “best sellers” for the “Book Express”? Meijers has the popular books at least two weeks before Midland!! The Book Express has 3-4 month old books on them!!
New books are added to the Book Express collection regularly. The copies are checked out very quickly so
the newest additions may not be on the shelf.
There is a list provided of the titles in the Book Express
collection. Titles remain in the
collection as long as they are being checked out.
4. It would be great to have a branch of this library in the Midland Mall – and ease a little congestion. Please put a sign at entrance and exit doors to tell perfectly capable people that using the button wastes energy!
There are no plans to
expand library service beyond the current building.
5. It is incredibly frustrating that your computers do not have Microsoft Office, specifically Word. Users cannot print documents because they cannot open them without Word being on the computer. There is no program whatsoever for users to print specific and/or original/unique information. Very disappointing, Midland.
There is a link on the computers to Google Docs, a program similar to
Microsoft Word. The Microsoft Office
Suite is available on the in-house laptops that are available to check out.
6. E-mail due messages are not useful on short term items like videos. The morning after I checked out the video, I received a due notice.
The automated system does not allow different formats/check out dates
to be exempted from the early notification.
Five comments objecting to DVD check out procedure.
The new system has improved security.
Patrons have been very cooperative and are adjusting to the changes.
Two comments suggesting angle parking in public parking lot.
Angle parking will greatly reduce the number of parking spaces
available.
VIII.
Old Business
a. Board/Community Communications
None
b. Mid-Michigan Library Cooperative Report
Soules reported that the Cooperative Board is
currently evaluating the MMLC Director, Denise Hooks. Library Directors from the Cooperative
responded to surveys to assist in the process.
c. Library Board Annual Report
Committee – Galt, Johnson, Phillips
Galt requested
input on the draft from Board members.
Suggested revisions will be made and presented to the Board for approval
at the September meeting. The report
will be submitted to City Council in October.
IX.
New Business
a. Board
Meeting Dates
A draft of possible board meeting dates was
presented. Since several meetings this
past year were less than one hour in length, there was a suggestion to reduce
the number of times the Board meets next year.
It was decided to reduce the number of meetings for 2011from ten to
seven. Brink made a motion for the Board
to meet the following months during 2011:
January, February, April, June, August, October and November. Burhans seconded the motion. Motion passed.
b. Library
2010-2011 Strategic Plan Review and Approval
Barnard reviewed the Library’s Strategic Plan goals
for 2010-2011. Brink moved to approve
the Library’s Strategic Plan as presented.
Soules seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
c. Board 2010-2011 Goal Development
The Board decided to carry over goal number one from
2009-2010 that was postponed because of the 2010 census. This goal will look at
demographic information. Goal number two
and action plan b from last year will be included in this year’s goals. Action plan b invites library staff to
present 2-3 new topics at Board meetings.
There was discussion about re-applying for the Library of the Year Award
that was goal number three last year. Johnson and Soules volunteered to work with
staff on revisiting this topic and possibly re-submitting an application.
The following people will draft goals to be
presented at the next meeting:
Goal #1 Phillips
Goal #2 b Staff
Goal #3 Johnson
Goal development will be on the agenda in September
for further discussion and approval.
X.
Board Announcements
Soules congratulated Barnard on receiving the 2009-2010
Volunteer Excellence Award from the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art for
her service on that Board.
Soules was pleased that the Walk/Don’t Walk pedestrian
signals on the corner of Eastman and St. Andrews have been updated to include count
downs. The signals were installed by the
Michigan Department of Transportation.
Brink announced that she has a Midland County Township
Officials meeting on September 2nd at 6:30pm in Porter Township
Hall. Staff will provide Brink Library
promotional materials to distribute.
XI.
Adjournment
Brink moved to adjourn. Phillips seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at
8:40 p.m.