Call to Order: President Andrew Slade called the meeting of the Duluth Public Library Board to order at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, and reviewed the agenda.
Members Present: Dan D'Allaird, Sister Edith Bogue, Jane Brissett,
Liz Benson Johnson, Virginia Katz, Printha Markert, Peter Spooner,
Martha Watson
Also Present: Carla Powers
Excused: None
Absent: None
Approval of Minutes
The Library Board minutes of the February 23, 2010 meeting were
approved.
Reports
A. Friends of the Duluth Public Library - Markert
The Friends have received a $2000 refund on sales tax paid in
error. Planning for the April 30 Mystery Dinner is underway. The
Friends are sponsoring Dale Hurst for the Port Cities Luncheon.
A special sale just for media will take place May 7 and 8, and
the Friends' annual meeting is scheduled for May 18.
B. Arrowhead Library System - Brissett
The proposed change in the formula for regional library basic
system support will not go forward because not all of the systems
approved it. More funding has been approved for Legacy Amendment
projects and programs. Upcoming programs include DSSO concerts
and poetry events in April. There is a proposal in the legislature
to allow library legacy funding to carry over, as it does for
the other entities that receive it.
C. Manager's Report - Powers
The Manager's Report was reviewed. There was discussion about
the movie license and publicity for movies shown under this license.
Powers explained that one of the conditions of the license agreement
is that the title of the movies cannot be advertised outside the
library.
Old Business
"Talking Points" About the Library and Its Needs
- Powers handed out the latest revision of this document. Board
members agreed that this draft, with just a few brief statements,
is what should be used. Bogue suggested adjusting the wording
on the third bullet point, which has to do with branch hours.
D'Allaird will make this adjustment and put the talking points
on laminated cards for board members to carry. The list of talking
points can be added to as new issues come up.
Review of Internet Use Policy - Watson's new draft was
reviewed, and consensus was that the mission statement at the
top of the page is unnecessary. The draft was approved as amended.
New Business
Review of Bulletin Board and Free Materials Policy
- This will be discussed at the next meeting. D'Allaird suggested
continuing the same procedure that was followed with the Internet
Use Policy, having Powers consult with staff and present a draft,
and having a board member revise the draft if necessary and bring
it back for final approval.
Legislative Auditor's Report - This report was released late yesterday, and the executive summary was briefly reviewed. The main issue worth focusing on is funding inequities. St. Louis County is highlighted as having a large disparity between what city residents pay to support library services compared to what county residents pay. There was a suggestion to forward a copy of the report to Rep. Roger Reinert. There will be more discussion at next month's meeting, after board members have had a chance to read the full report.
Election of Officers - D'Allaird was nominated for president and Bogue for vice president. Approved unanimously.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Gates Computers - This has been scheduled for Monday, April 5, right after the library opens at noon. Mayor Ness will be in attendance to cut the ribbon. Invitations are also going out to the library board, the Friends' board, the Foundation board, the city council, donors to the "Open the Gates" fundraising campaign, and members of the Google Twin Ports group. Johnson offered to make nametags for board members. Powers will check into getting professionally-made nametags for the future.
Lunch With Mayor - Several board members are planning to meet with Mayor Ness over lunch tomorrow. The board plans to discuss the possibility of the mayor appointing a group (an ad hoc committee or the board itself) to formally look into ideas for additional funding sources for the library.
Communications
The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 4:30 p.m.
in the Library's Conference Room.
5/5/10