Board of Trustees of the St. Helena Public Library

 

Minutes of the Meeting of December 14, 2005

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Dr. Darter at 5 p.m.  Trustee Chairman Dr. Darter, Lynda Burton, Julie Dickson, and Bonnie Long were present, as was Friends of the Library President Dolores Torrigino and Library Director Larry Hlavsa.

 

A motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed.  Minutes of the meeting of November 9th were approved.

 

Library Director’s Report

 

Tweed Trust update.  Larry will draft a letter to the trust attorney to the effect that the city will accept 50% title of the Chiles Valley property. The letter will be sent by City Manager Bert Johansson. It appears not to be necessary for the library board to hire its own attorney as after the title is transferred our own City Attorney can handle matters relating to the sale of the property.  An arrangement will be sought whereby the city will agree that Tweed Trust assets be managed similarly to those of the Wood Trust.  Larry is assembling and studying documents of other library foundations to assist in our establishing one for this library.  

 

Development of Adams Street Property.  The City Council has identified three of the original six developers to proceed with the process.  Trustees asked that Larry obtain the council’s report analyzing the finalists and ascertain the schedule for submission of the next set of designs.  Following discussion, Dr. Darter and Julie agreed to approach the three developers on behalf of the trustees to demonstrate the library’s needs and concerns before the next set of proposals is prepared/submitted. 

 

Resolution No. 2005-08 Approving Revision of Internet Policy and Establishing Policy on Adult and Children’s Internet Areas was presented, moved, seconded, and approved.

 

Resolution No. 2005-09 Recommending Approval by City Council of New Letter of Agreement Between the City of St. Helena and the St. Helena Historical Society was presented, moved, seconded, and approved.

 

Resolution No. 2005-10 Authorizing Betty Saler “Certificate of Appreciation” was presented, moved, seconded, and approved.  Betty is retiring at the end of the year after sixteen years of loyal service and will be sorely missed.

 

Library Maintenance Concerns.  Larry discussed some recent library staff complaints about the daily maintenance of the library. These mostly deal with maintenance of the rugs. Larry had productive meetings with the Public Works Director, Jonathon Goldman and Building Supervisor Jim Haller. Larry will copy his communications with Jim Haller to the trustees as appropriate. 

 

Interior design consultant. Larry is meeting tomorrow with San Francisco-based interior design consultant, Kathy Page, and will discuss various library projects that the consultant may be able to help us with. Funding for any projects would be sought from the Wood Trust or the Friends of the St. Helena Library.

 

Holiday Party for Staff and Volunteers December 13th.  The volunteer of the year is Jeanne Forde.  The attendees were pleased by the attendance of retired library director, Clayla Davis, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Library Friends, volunteers and staff were saddened by the news this week that Bob Brownscombe’s partner and library volunteer Wilma Keenleyside passed away last week.

 

Friends of the Library.  Dolores reported that the troops in Afghanistan are asking for more romance and Western books.  The Blue Sky Mothers in Napa are asking forbook  additions from us for their shipments to the front.  The Friends also contributed to a shipment of supplies from the St. Helena Catholic Church to a parish in Mississippi devastated by Hurricane Katrina.   

 

Napa Valley Wine Library Association.  Julie reported that Carolyn Martini has agreed to join the board of the NVWLA.  Kevin Alfaro has been nominated as association president for 2006.  Advance copies of the “Winter 2005-2006” REPORT were distributed. 

 

St. Helena Historical Society.  Larry announced that the Society has two new board members, Skip Lane and Roberta Oswald, and that a “launch event” for membership expansion is scheduled for January 29th.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

 

                                                            Julie Dickson, recording secretary