Call to Order: President Dan D'Allaird called the meeting of the Duluth Public Library Board to order at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. On a motion by Katz, seconded by Markert, the agenda was approved with two additions under "Reports."

Members Present: Dan D'Allaird, Jane Brissett, Sister Edith Bogue, Virginia Katz, Printha Markert, Andrew Slade, Martha Watson
Also Present: Dan Hartman, Adele Krusz, Patra Sevastiades, Carla Powers
Excused: Liz Benson Johnson, Martha Watson
Absent: Peter Spooner

Approval of Minutes
Brissett corrected a mistake in the "One Book, One Community" report. On a motion by Katz, seconded by Bogue, the Library Board minutes of the regular meeting of April 26, 2011 meeting were approved as amended.

Reports
A. Councilor Update on Long-Term Library Funding - Hartman
City Councilor Dan Hartman explained a concept he has been working on to generate a more sustainable funding structure for DPL. He is researching the idea of creating a separate designated fund, or perhaps establishing a freestanding authority, for library operations. He pointed out that Duluth appears to be the only community its size in Minnesota that does not have a broader source of funding for library services. For example, the Rochester Public Library receives significant funding from Olmsted County, and the St. Cloud Public Library is a member of a consolidated county system. Hartman is exploring different funding options and may be seeking the support of the State Legislature to enact a structure that distributes costs more equitably among the communities whose residents use the library. He asked for the library board's support in advocating for a plan once one is developed.

B. Friends of the Duluth Public Library - Markert
The Friends' annual meeting took place last week, and the group highlighted Friends' accomplishments over the past year. The Friends board now has five new members. Nearly $1400 was raised at the VHS sale a couple of weeks ago. The book sale will take place June 14-17. Krusz handed out posters about the book sale and encouraged board members to take a yard sign to help publicize the event.

C. Arrowhead Library System - Brissett
The ALS board recently voted to retire $1.2 million in bonds, which will free up approximately $180,000 per year for operations. The North Country Library Cooperative (NCLC), which is the region's multitype library system, is currently doing strategic planning and has asked for input on ways of strengthening ties with ALS. Brissett will sit on a committee with representatives from both boards to look at options.

Old Business:
Update on Library Supervisor Positions - Powers said that the process of hiring three Library Supervisors is proceeding. The job posting expired on Friday, and applications have been scored. The next step is a Civil Service examination for internal applicants.

Laptop Policy - On a motion by Bogue, seconded by Katz, the laptop policy was approved as drafted.

Appropriate Library Behavior Policy - Slade suggested a change in wording regarding cell phones. On a motion by Slade, seconded by Bogue, the policy was approved as amended.

Election of Officers - On a motion of Katz, seconded by Brissett, D'Allaird was reelected as president and Bogue was reelected as vice president for another term.

New Business:
"Our Libraries are Essential" Campaign - D'Allaird explained that this campaign grew out of a meeting of the leaders of the library's supporting organizations. The main focus will be restoration of branch hours. Sevastiades showed a T-shirt that has been designed and donated for the campaign and said that a group of library supporters will attend City Council meetings in July and August to lobby for the importance of libraries. There was a suggestion that the library board try to schedule a meeting with the Duluth News Tribune's editorial board. Brissett will follow up with the newspaper. D'Allaird recently contacted an at-large candidate for City Council to advocate for increasing library hours. Katz and Brissett volunteered to contact a candidate who is running in their district.

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The next meeting will take place Tuesday, June 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the library's conference room.

8/2/11
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802