Board of Trustees of the
Minutes of the Meeting of January 13, 2010
The
regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 5:05 p.m.
Trustee president Dr. Darter, Lynda Burton, Bonnie Long, Susan Swan and
Julie Dickson were present, as was Library Director Jennifer Baker.
A
motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed.
The minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2009 were approved.
Library Director’s Report.
Jennifer will deliver her annual report
to the City Council on February 9, and trustees are invited to attend.
A highlight will be the Four Star rating this library received from
Library Journal, based upon 2007-08 data.
The City Council has already acknowledged this achievement, and there has
been gratifying press coverage, both in the St. Helena Star and the Napa
Register. Robyn Orsini was featured
in a front page article in the Register.
Preliminary survey date for fiscal year 2008-09 ranks St. Helena first in
Remodel report.
Work has commenced: the circulation
desk has been removed (circulation and reference are combined at the reference
desk,) the pillars are partially down, and work has begun in the book drop area.
A temporary book drop box has been obtained and installed outside the
front doors. The staff is being
remarkably cooperative and flexible; it appears that numerous reshufflings of
work places will be necessitated throughout the process.
The hours designated to accommodate the remodel (open only one morning,
later several days) seem acceptable to the staff and patrons.
Staff is working well on the new split shifts.
Since book donations are not being accepted during the remodel, several
patrons who were not aware were disappointed.
There was a delay on the furniture acquisition due to a single source
issue on a particular chair.
Trustees expressed great satisfaction that after years of planning and
preparation, the remodel is at last under way.
Budget update.
The
city manager has asked for mid-year cuts, and Jennifer was able to reduce the
library budget by $20K. There will
also be a small reduction due to her maternity leave (she will be off April to
July, then half time until October.)
St.
Helena Public Library Foundation.
Dr. Darter reported that the board is up to six persons, with a seventh
about to accept (seven will be a full complement.)
No opposition is expected at the January 21 hearing in Superior Court on
the declaratory judgment approving the transfer of funds from city to foundation
control. The board is
reviewing investment policies prior to a vote at its next meeting and will
select investment advisors.
Friends of the Library.
In
Kelly’s absence there was no formal report.
There was no Friends meeting in December.
Book sale materials have been moved from the meeting room due to the
remodel. Chris Kreiden is willing
to attend the PLA conference in
Napa Valley Wine Library Association.
Julie reported that the annual dinner/planning meeting is set for January 21;
Jennifer has another commitment but will try to attend part of it.
St.
Helena Historical Society.
Its
book is due to be published shortly.
A release event is scheduled for March 14 at the Charles Krug Winery; the
library will co-host.
General Plan Update.
Bonnie reported that the City Council now wants to extend the process:
there will be a preliminary draft, then more town hall meetings, them a
final draft. Having served for four
full years, Bonnie has now resigned from the committee.
Lynda recommended that the trustees begin to consider the nature of the “grand
reopening” once the remodel is complete.
The
meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Julie Dickson, recording secretary