Board of Trustees of the St. Helena Public Library

   

Minutes of the Meeting of June 14, 2006

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Dr. Darter at 5 p.m.  Trustee Chairman Dr. Darter, Gwen Becker, Lynda Burton, Julie Dickson, and Bonnie Long were present, as were Friends of the Library representative Kleo Mini, Library Director Larry Hlavsa, and Peter F. Hunter, Fund Development Officer of the Sonoma County Library.

 

A motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed.  Minutes of the meeting of May 10 were approved as mailed.

 

Library Director’s Report

 

Tweed Trust.  Following discussion, the following resolution was passed unanimously:  That the library director request that the city council appoint a 4-person panel (two council members, two library trustees) to draw up an appropriate administration agreement for the Tweed Trust.  This is the procedure which was successfully utilized eight or nine years ago regarding a similar bequest.

 

Foundation considerations.  Larry introduced Peter Hunter, whom he had asked to share with our board his thoughts and recommendations as to the establishment and operation of charitable foundations. Peter gave an overview and distributed materials illustrating the benefits and choices as to structure and organization of foundations created to fund library support and enrichment. Following extensive discussion, Peter was thanked and excused and the board agreed to address the initial steps in creating a 501©(3) foundation for this library.

 

Planning session.  The board recognized the need for an off-site exercise to define our mission and aims.  Larry was asked to locate a facilitator with experience in working with library boards; Dr. Darter offered his home as the site.  In the meantime, the planning/foundation subcommittee of Bonnie, Lynda, and Larry – and a Friends representative – will meet to begin to outline the task.

 

Other items.  Larry is working on leasing a new public copier/printer; the proposal for interior design consulting was tabled for a month by the Friends, until the necessity of public input is addressed; Larry is making minor revisions to the NVWL collection policy; Barbara Hellwig’s replacement will be a Library Assistant I, which offers more flexibility than a clerical designation.

 

Friends’ resolutions.  Larry reported that three funding resolutions were passed by the Friends board earlier this week: two pre-configured “Early Literacy Stations” for children to replace current aging game/educational PCs; 8000 full-color library information magnets; prize books for the summer reading program, utilizing a local grant for that purpose. 

 

Friends of the Library (Kleo Mini).  Kleo reported that 15 boxes of books were distributed during the recent book sale, largely due to the innovation of giving five book coupons to each school child.  A high school student, Skye Morgan, has been added to the Friends’ board. 

 

Wine Library Association (Julie Dickson).  Julie reminded board members that the annual tasting at Silverado will be Sunday, August 13th, and that invitations will be forthcoming. 

 

St. Helena Historical Society (Gwen Becker).  Gwen reported that a second community planning meeting will occur in September, following on the success of the April gathering.  She also passed on to Larry an inquiry as to the availability of downloadable audio books for I-Pod users. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

 

                                                Julie Dickson, recording secretary