Call to Order: President Bogue called the meeting of the Duluth Public Library Board to order at 4:35 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. On a motion by Katz, seconded by Spooner, the agenda was approved.

Members Present: Sister Edith Bogue, Jane Brissett, Dan D'Allaird, Liz Benson Johnson, Virginia Katz, Printha Markert, Peter Spooner
Also Present: Carla Powers
Excused: Frank Jewell, Andrew Slade

Approval of Minutes
On a motion by D'Allaird, seconded by Brissett, the library board minutes of the regular meeting of September 25 were approved as drafted. .

Reports
A. Arrowhead Library System - Powers
ALS board member Teresa Dawson was not able to attend today's meeting but passed along some information to Powers. The strategic planning process is continuing at ALS. The planning team has wrapped up its work, and committees are forming to develop action plans. ALS is beginning to plan its annual dinner, which will take place in May. Brissett has applied to be on the ALS board but has not heard anything yet.

B. Friends of the Duluth Public Library - Markert
The Friends will be holding a book fair at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, December 1. Anyone showing a voucher will have a portion of the proceeds from their purchase that day donated to the Friends of the Library. Vouchers are available from Friends members or at the store the day of the book fair. Friends will be holding a holiday book sale at Main on December 5 and 6.

C. Duluth Library Foundation - Katz/D'Allaird
The mugs are selling well at Main and the branches, and the foundation's fall fundraising campaign will begin soon. The foundation plans to have a presence at "Give to the Max Day" online on November 15. Katz is working on bookmarks explaining the roles of the Friends, foundation and library boards. The foundation has discussed looking for a college intern to assist with marketing.

D. Stability in Funding Committee - D'Allaird
This committee has not met since the last library board meeting.

E. One Book, One Community - Brissett
The committee has chosen three books for young people this year: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (a picture book), Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge (a graphic novel), and Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett (for middle readers). Susan Vreeland, the author of the adult selection, will be making an appearance in the region, and Brissett has approached Blue Balliett about doing programs at schools. Possible program topics include a talk and tour of Tiffany windows in Duluth, a lecture on regional labor issues and women in the labor force in the early 20th century, an antique appraisal centered on glass or early 20th century items, and a demonstration of stained glass art by a local expert. Ideas for children's programs will be discussed at the next committee meeting, which is scheduled for October 30.

Old Business:
Talking points. The list of talking points developed two years ago is in need of an update. Bogue has begun revising them, and will make a few more edits before the next meeting. She will make laminated copies once the revisions are complete.

Update on potential building project. Powers and city architect Tari Rayala are doing research on recent library building projects, to get an idea of square footage and costs. Powers is looking into public library building projects, and Rayala is finding out about the UMD and UWS libraries. The two will present their findings to CAO Dave Montgomery and Public Administration Director Roshanda Smiley early next month.

New Business:
Usage statistics for third quarter. Powers sent out a report to board members showing continued increases in usage at the branches and modest increases in most categories at Main. Bogue suggested that board members make an appearance at a January city council meeting, one year after the expansion of branch hours, to thank councilors for their support of the library. This will be on the agenda for the November meeting, and Bogue will draft a letter.

New library board member. Johnson's second term on the board will expire in March, and there was discussion about possible replacements for the mayor's consideration. There was a suggestion to find a board member from the West Duluth neighborhood, perhaps getting ideas from the branch staff. Another suggestion was to find a member of a constituent group that uses library services. A third suggestion was to look for an influential person in the community who can be an effective advocate for the library.

Communications/Correspondence:
Manager's Report. Powers reported that a small committee has formed to look into the possibility of forming a Duluth Historical Society, which would seek funding to support a Duluth History Center in the Main Library. Some board members raised concerns about the idea, especially if it added another location for community members to donate and/or search for items of historical interest. Public Services Supervisor David Ouse is on the committee, and board members invited him to the November meeting to provide more information about this project.

The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. and was followed by a tour of the Storyland exhibit.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 27.

2/13/13
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802