City Hall Council Chambers

I. Roll Call

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

PRESENT: Melissa Barnard, Maxine Brink, Michael Burhans, Sarah Galt, Laura Peterson, Suzanne Phillips, Marilyn Soules

ABSENT: Tami Johnson

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

II. Acceptance of April 20, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Motion to accept minutes made by Soules, seconded by Phillips. Motion approved.

III. Additions or Changes to the Agenda

None

IV. Public Comments

None

V. Director’s Report

Barnard announced that the Library has been awarded a grant from the Midland Rotary Foundation to develop an Early Literacy Activity Center in Youth Services that will serve children 0-5 years.

Barnard reviewed the Friends of the Library contributions from the current year. The Friends have agreed to fund the projects that they have in the past plus donate additional funds to support the Library materials budget. The total contribution for 2011-2012 is $30,000.

Barnard noted that the Library will be closed on Sundays until September 11^th as well as Monday, July 4^th in observance of Independence Day.

Barnard also announced that Summer Reading Program brochures and calendars are available at the library as well as on the library’s website.

Galt complimented the staff on the bookmarks listing the various ways that patrons can locate the due date of their materials after the date stamping is discontinued. Galt commented on the decrease in circulation of adult materials. The decrease may reflect the significant reduction in the library materials budget.

Patron Compliments and Concerns

SIGNED COMMENTS:

1. I can’t believe the need to present a library card is so great that you must be charged $1.00. I didn’t bring my card, but called home to get the number. The library check out didn’t have to look anything up, no extra work. What is the issue?

ID is required to verify patron name when no library card is presented. Encouraging patrons to carry their library card improves efficiency in the check out process.

2. I still prefer the stamping system for check-out, for book story details could you put those on the inside cover?

This would require more staff resources to relocate cover information.

3. Might think of getting more Art books. You used to have great and many art books with photos on the new book shelves, why are they gone?

The library’s budget to purchase books has been significantly reduced over the past several years due to economic challenges. All areas of the library’s collection have been affected by these reductions.

4. I love the new computers in the lab on the first floor, but was unable to use the USB! My sites I use are Northwood.edu and connect (McGraw) for homework. Is it possible to open educational sites to download information for college students?

The library provides laptops for use in the library that do allow for downloading files.

UNSIGNED COMMENTS:

1. Several DVDs are scratched and do not play well.

When staff is notified of any problems with the DVDs, the DVDs are placed in the queue for review.

VI. Old Business

a. Board/Community Communications

Soules encouraged people who have an interest to volunteer for the Friends of the Library. Friends contact information is available on the Library’s website.

b. Mid-Michigan Library Cooperative Report

Soules was unable to attend most recent meeting. Barnard did attend and reported that the director gave a status report of the cooperative. Barnard explained that since this meeting, regular state aid has been reduced 40%. This reduction will have an impact on the cooperative although the impact is uncertain. With Soules leaving the Board, a new representative is needed for the MMLC Board. There are three meetings per year and the term would run until September 30, 2012. Any interested Board member can contact Barnard.

c. Library Board Goals Committee Reports

Goal 1: Phillips reported that the committee is still waiting for the new census data to become available. Barnard stated that she has located some demographics from the census and will forward this information to Phillips and Burhans.

Goal 3: Barnard reported that the Library of the Year award has been presented to King County in Washington State.

d. Library Board Annual Report Committee

Phillips and Burhans will present a draft to the Board at the August meeting.

e. Library Budget 2011-2012

Barnard reported that City Council approved the budget at their May 23^rd meeting. The Library’s budget calls for no staff lay-offs and no reduction of hours. Staffing reductions will include the elimination of high school co-ops for the 2011-12 fiscal year and the Assistant Director position. The materials and programming budgets have been decreased for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The Library’s budget from the current to the next year has remained flat at $3.75 million.

VII. New Business

a. Nominations Committee

Chair and Vice Chair positions are open. Brink volunteered to be vice chair. Peterson agreed to serve as the nominations committee. Peterson will have the slate ready to be voted on at the August meeting.

b. Library Strategic Plan Review

Barnard gave an update on action items in the Strategic Plan.

c. Board Member Appointments

Barnard reported that interviews for new board members have been scheduled and will be approved at the June 27^th City Council meeting. New board members will begin attending meetings in August.

VIII. Board Announcements

Galt thanked Soules and Johnson for their service to the Library Board.

IX. Adjournment

Phillips moved to adjourn. Brink seconded. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned at

7:45 p.m.