Grace
A. Dow Memorial Library
Library Board
Minutes
Wednesday, April 20, 2011 7
p.m.
I.
Roll Call
Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Melissa Barnard, Michael Burhans, Tami Johnson, Laura Peterson,
Suzanne Phillips, Marilyn Soules
ABSENT: Maxine Brink, Sarah Galt
ALSO PRESENT: Wendy Shields, Technical Secretary; Virginia McKane,
Assistant Director, Stephanie Williams, Kaitlyn Mercy, Grace Pruett, Sara
Terwillegar, Mrs. Pruett, Mrs. Terwillegar, and Mr. and Mrs. Mercy
II.
Acceptance of February 16, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Motion to
accept minutes made by Burhans, seconded by Peterson. Motion approved.
III.
Additions or Changes to the Agenda
None
IV.
Public Comments
None
V.
Presentation on Programs and Services for Teens
In addressing the Board goal
to increase awareness of the library, Barnard arranged for three
officers of the Teen Advisory Board to give a presentation. Stephanie
Williams introduced Sara Terwillegar, Grace Pruett and Kaitlyn Mercy who gave
an overview of the library’s programs and services for teens.
VI.
Director’s Report
Barnard announced that as of
July 5th, date due stamps will no longer be available and new
materials will not have date due stickers on them. This decision is in response to patron frustration
in reading descriptions of materials on the back cover. The date due sticker can cover a significant
amount of that text. This change in
procedure is explained in the May/June edition of the Library Connection. Phillips asked if date due stickers on
current materials would be removed.
Barnard responded that only new materials would not have the sticker on
them. There are still several ways to be
aware of the date materials are due, these include: phone notification, accessing patron account
on the internet, paper receipt received at checkout and e-mail notification.
Barnard mentioned that the
Library will be closed Friday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 24th
for the Easter holiday.
Barnard also announced that
the Joint Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative Board/Advisory Council Annual
Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 12th, 5:00 p.m., at the Baker
College Flint Campus. Soules added that
this is a dinner meeting with a speaker.
Johnson asked about the
Summer Reading Program. Barnard responded
that the May/June Library Connection will have information about all of the
programs coming this summer.
VII.
Patron Compliments and Concerns
SIGNED COMMENTS:
1. Have we changed the rules on talking and cell phones ringing off the hook, can’t even think anymore.
Patrons should report disruptive
cell phone use to the librarians.
Notices have been attached to the computer monitors instructing users to
put phones on vibrate and conduct necessary conversations quietly.
2. Great service again from the Children’s section.
3. Please have applicants for library cards etc., fill out forms at the reference desk.
The Check Out desk is staffed at all times. Reference staff must leave their desk area to
assist patrons. Staff has initiated a
shortcut procedure for library card applications that will address the time
issue.
4. Transform a room into a “studying” nook.
There is no room available.
5. We use this library regularly and have always received quick, professional service. Our community is well serviced by the volunteers and employees of Grace Dow Library.
UNSIGNED COMMENTS:
1.
I really think you should call when a book is
one day overdue instead of when there is a fine due. This would take care of a lot of fines. Sometimes you forget or you missed a book. Maybe a reminder the day before either inform
on an e-mail or a phone call.
Patrons who provide an email address will receive pre-overdue
notification three days before the materials are due.
2. This is the loudest library I have ever been in. Patrons are loud and disruptive (tutoring, cell phones, etc). Employees freely talk throughout the building, especially near the office in the mezzanine. Maintenance man has radio turned up. Ringer on phones at reference desk should not be heard throughout. No enforcement. Complete disrespect on every level. Clearly not the library I remember as a child. Local coffee shops are more conducive to reading.
The library does provide quiet areas in the magazine reading room and
along the windows behind the non fiction collection.
VIII.
Old Business
a. Board/Community Communications
Soules shared that she participated in the Midland
Artists Guild exhibit on the Mezzanine in March and heard good feedback on the
event. Soules also attended the National
Library Week Tea and commented that she enjoyed the event.
b. Mid-Michigan Library Cooperative Report
Soules
reported that the MMLC Board’s main focus
is the state’s budget and its impact on libraries.
c. Library Board Goals Committee Reports
Goal 1: Phillips reported that the committee is
waiting for the new census data to become available.
Goal 3: Johnson reported that the Library of the Year
nomination had been submitted to the Library Journal. Included in the nomination packet were
letters of support, the “I Love My Library” award company press release,
Midland Daily News newspaper articles, the 2011 Happenings flyer and a cover
with a collage of photos. The Library
Journal will announce the winner at the American Library Association’s Annual
Conference in June.
d. Expiring Board Terms: Soules and Johnson
Soules and
Johnson announced that they will not renew their board terms. Both encouraged interested people to apply to
the board.
IX.
New Business
a. New Board Member Appointment
Process
There
are two citizen at large positions on the available on the Library Board. Interested persons must be City of Midland
residents. Terms expire 6/30/2014. Applications are available on the City’s
website or at the library. Applications
will be accepted at City Hall until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 6th, 2011.
b. Library Board Annual Report Committee
Peterson and Burhans agreed to serve on the
Annual Report Committee.
c. 2011-2012 Library Budget
Barnard reviewed the budget schedule. The City’s proposed budget includes a .85
millage increase. Reductions have been made throughout City
departments. The
Library’s proposed budget
eliminates the Assistant Director position when it is
vacated due to retirement. Participation in the high school student co-op
program
would be suspended. There would be a $20,000 reduction in the
materials budget as
well as a $4,000 reduction in
the programming budget. There would be
no staff lay-
offs and no reduction in library
hours. These reductions would keep the library’s
budget flat from 2010-11 to
2011-2012.
X.
Board Announcements
Soules commended the staff on a wonderful Tea
featuring Gary Skory, Director of the Midland County Historical Society,
presenting a preview to the upcoming “Voices” exhibit at the Doan History Center.
XI.
Adjournment
Soules moved to adjourn. Phillips seconded. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned at
7:57 p.m.