Board of Trustees of the St. Helena Public Library

Minutes of the Meeting of June 11, 2008

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 5:15 p.m.  Trustee Chairman Dr. Darter, Gwen Becker, Lynda Burton, and Bonnie Long were present, as were Friends representative Miriam Hess and Library Director Jennifer Baker. 

A motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed.  The minutes of the meeting of May 14 were approved with one correction – Bonnie, not Lynda, was reapplying for a new Trustee term.

Library Director’s Report.  Jennifer reviewed the highlights of her Friday Reports since the last meeting, touching on changes to the way bills from large vendors will be invoiced, plans to update the website, a new analytics program to track website usage and changes to subscription databases.    

Architectural Phase of Remodel.  The final version of the contract with MacCracken Architects was sent out Friday, June 6 for signature.

Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute.  Jennifer is one of two people in the State of California to be invited to participate in this 3-day workshop on the subject of library services to baby boomers and older adults. She was invited after the State Library reviewed her application and offered to pay her tuition, food and hotel expenses. The Friends of the Library have agreed to fund $650 in additional travel expenses. The Institute is in North Carolina at the end of July.  

Homework Help grant.  Jennifer reported that the Library was selected by the State Library to received LSTA funding for this new service. The grant will pay 100% of the subscription cost in the first year, 75% in the second and 50% in the third. We do not need to reapply, the library will automatically receive this funding. Jennifer plans to apply for a second grant with the SHUSD Parent Teacher Group to cover the additional funding in the 2^nd, 3^rd and ongoing years. She is also planning to meet with school district representatives over the summer to prep teachers in the use of the program and ensure that school computer systems are configured to support the program in the fall. She will also brainstorm with them ideas for marketing the program to teachers, students and parents. Gwen had several ideas for people to contact within the school system and methods of getting the word out.

HVAC System Jennifer reported that there have been a number of recent problems with the AC compressors. Public Works is looking into the problem to see what may be fixed as a matter of routine maintenance and what may require additional funding. The Board agreed that it would be worthwhile to get a quote on upgrading the system as part of the remodel.

St. Helena Public Library Foundation.  We officially have three board members: Dr. Darter, Rob Andreae and Audie Hayne, Sr. Now that we have at least two people, the 501c3 application can be completed. Lynda will work with the accountant to get this done as quickly as possible.

Friends of the Library.  Miriam reported expenditures of $650 for Jennifer to travel to the LALLI program in July and $400.92 to extend the Library’s subscription to Film Movement for another twelve months. The subscription includes one new DVD a month of a foreign or independent film that has not yet been released in theaters. The film is added to the collection but also includes performance rights for a single screening.  The Friends will be having their annual Board meeting July 23 at 6pm to elect officers and give awards. The FOL have new book bags for sale for $3.

JUNE FEST The June Fest program will begin at 6:30 following the Board Meeting in the parking lot. The St. Helena Community Band will play for an hour beginning at 7:30. The Friends of the Library will be selling food and beverages.   

Wine Library Association.  No official report but Jennifer relayed that someone from the Wine Library Assoc. is meeting with the family of Bernard Rhodes (Barney) to discuss the acquisition of his book collection.

St. Helena Historical Society.  Gwen reported on the strategic planning the Historical Society has been doing. They have created a “visitor’s experience” which details their vision of what the new facility would be like if the Adams Street property were developed. They plan to invite Lynda to a future meeting to get acquainted since she will be taking over Gwen’s position as liaison. This is Gwen’s last Library Board meeting. She has been a Trustee for 15 years! Thanks Gwen!

Jennifer Baker, recording secretary