Board of Trustees of the St. Helena Public Library

 

Minutes of the Meeting of January 12, 2011

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 5 p.m.   Trustee president Dr. Darter, Bonnie Long, Susan Swan and Julie Dickson were present, as were Friends representative Kelly Wheaton and Library Director Jennifer Baker.  A motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed.  The minutes of the meeting of December 8 were approved.

 

Proposed state cuts in library funding.   Trustees reviewed a CLA memo outlining the Governor’s proposal to eliminate all state funding for PLF, TBR, and Literacy.  Extensive discussion ensued concerning the potential impact of such cuts on our library.  Jennifer will forward further CLA communications and monitor developments. 

 

HVAC.  Jennifer has been advised that improvements cannot be included in the upcoming budget unless funding is identified and allocated; HVAC will be placed first on our list of prioritized unmet needs which will be forwarded to the City Manager & City Council for consideration.

 

Library Director’s Report.  The new tri-fold interior map/brochure was reviewed and approved.  Jennifer’s Friday Weekly Reports and trustee meeting agendas will be prominently posted for staff and patrons.  The Adams Street property is on the City Council’s agenda for January 25.

 

Statistical Data.  Ohio-based firm, Orange Boy, have approached us to offer statistical analysis which could prove valuable in the visioning process.  Trustees asked Jennifer to discuss with our consultants how necessary it would be in their work with us and for our future planning.

 

SNAP contract renewal.  Last night the City Council approved a 6-month extension of the agreement, to be considered for an additional 12-month renewal once the new budget is in place. 

 

LSTA grant to Napa City-County Library.  Jennifer assisted Napa in obtaining a $20K grant for outside consultant services to position the current SNAP partners for a migration to an open source Integrated Library System.  There is currently only one other California library which has made the transition to the system under consideration, but Jennifer sees many advantages.  Should costs exceed the grant amount, SNAP reserves could be utilized.

 

Foundation Grant Requests.   It was MOVED, SECONDED, AND APPROVED that the trustees recommend to the Foundation to approve granting $750. to underwrite this summer’s Harry Potter event; the FOL will consider awarding an additional $750 during its upcoming budget consideration, for a total of $1500.   A second possible grant request was to fund consultants to clarify the roles and provide support and strategic planning to the FOL and Foundation in conjunction with the overall visioning process to begin shortly.  It was MOVED, SECONDED, AND APPROVED to table the request at this time, and keep this resource in mind should it prove useful after completion of the visioning process.

 

Visioning process dates.  Jennifer was asked to obtain possible dates from the consultants for the half-day (probably Saturday) session involving community  stakeholders. 

 

Chamber of Commerce Mixer.  The library will host the Chamber’s monthly mixer next Wednesday, January 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Food is being donated and the NVWLA will provide wine.  Trustees are asked to attend to represent the library and show off its new interior!

 

There were no reports from the FOL or the Wine Library Association.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

 

Julie Dickson, recording secretary