Board of Trustees of the
Minutes of the Meeting of April 14, 2010
Present: Robert Darter, Susan Swan and Lynda Burton. Also
present were Kelly Wheaton from the Friend's, Leslie Stanton, acting director
and Jennifer Baker, library director.
The
minutes from last month’s meeting were approved and consent items adopted.
Leslie gave a remodel update with a projected timeline for completion.
Lynda suggested doing formal thank you gifts for staff for all their hard work
during the remodel. It was suggested that the Friends should be approached to
fund a stipend for gifts. Lynda will manage purchase, organizing and
distributing.
The
Board discussed a proposal from staff to change hours. After much discussion of
various pros and cons the issue was tabled to be brought up at a special meeting
set for April 18 so that additional board members could participate in the
decision making process.
Jennifer discussed the overall City Budget and the library’s proposed budget
including General Fund, CLSA funds and more. Cuts have been made to the SNAP
contract—since this contract is paid by both CLSA and GF funds, the cuts were
applied to GF and CLSA remained flat. Additional cuts to the SNAP contract are
expected because directors are reviewing database subscriptions and anticipate
dropping several. EBSCO and several other key databases will be preserved
however many are on the chopping block.
Linda Struve will retire at the end of May. The Board expressed concern that her
position be filled since losing a full-time person would mean having to reduce
library hours significantly. Jennifer reported that she had already spoken with
Mary Neilan about filling the position and is making arrangements.
JuneFest was discussed. Lynda is working with the Foundation and Robyn Orsini to
facilitate the event as an Open House. Board members were asked to volunteer to
be available for the event. Rather than have tours, it is planned to have people
stationed at various service points within the library to show off the new
features of the remodel as people explore. The Friends plan to hold a book
donation drive at the event to replenish stock.
Kelly Wheaton gave a brief report of the Friends’ most recent meeting.
There was no report from Wine Library or Historical Society.
The
Foundation now has seven directors. They have hired a finance manager and are
working to create appropriate publicity materials.
The
meeting adjourned at 6:20pm.
Leslie Stanton, recording secretary
Board of Trustees of the
Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 18, 2010
The
meeting was called to order at 3:30pm. Present: Robert Darter, Susan Swan,
Bonnie Long and Lynda Burton. Also present Leslie Stanton, acting
director and Jennifer Baker, library director.
This meeting was called specifically to discuss the issue of changing library
hours.
Jennifer presented a report to the Board members explaining the reasons why
changing hours was being considered at this time.
Several different options were considered and reviewed taking into account
patron usage patterns, staff availability, programming standards, and possible
budget changes. The following proposal was agreed to be the best scenario to
address all these variables:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10-9
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 2-6
A total of 49 hours per week.
Library staff unanimously supported this change in schedule.
This schedule maintains the same number of weekday morning hours and adds an
additional evening during the week. The shortened hours on Friday-Monday are
better suited to patrons’ current use of the library and also allows for more
flexible staffing.
Since Sue Michul left the library in January 2009 and her position was not
filled, the library has been perpetually short-staffed. The new schedule will
alleviate much of this stress. The shortened hours on Mondays and Friday will
also allow fulltime staff to devote their full attention to projects and
technical work when the library is not open to the public.
Additional benefits of the proposed schedule include a more simplified structure
that will be easier to remember and advertise while maintaining a seven day a
week schedule.
In
their discussion of this proposal, the Trustees expressed concern over public
perception of a reduction in hours, even one as slight as three hours a week.
Although there have been no recent or new cuts to library staff, this change in
schedule is the result of the cuts made in January 2009.
In
their motion to approve the change to library hours, the Trustees clarified that
maintaining current staffing levels is critical to the success of any seven day
schedule. This includes being able to replace a fulltime employee who has
announced intentions to retire at the end of May. The proposed schedule of 49
hours a week has many benefits; however, it is the maximum that library staff
can reasonably maintain without a continuous negative impact on service levels.
Library staff and the Trustees wish to be very clear that any further reductions
in staffing would necessitate drastic changes to library hours and services,
including, but not limited to, closing the library one or more days a week. The
Trustees instructed Jennifer to be very clear on these points in her report to
City Council.
The
meeting adjourned at 4:30pm.
Leslie Stanton, recording secretary