MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

April 28, 2005

1. CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by President Kawase at 2:30 p.m. in the Library Board Room.

ROLL CALL:

President Kawase introduced and welcomed new board member Vince Buck.

Present: Mrs. Britt, Mr. Kawase, Mr. Buck, and Mr. Georgieff (arrived at 3 p.m.)

Absent: Mrs. Mann

Staff: Al Milo, Library Director

Betty Schwarzkopf, Administrative Secretary

Jeanette Pham, Children’s Library Division Manager

Guest: Nancy Lee, President, Friends of FPL

Director Milo introduced Jeanette Pham, the new Children’s Services Library Division Manager who began her duties on April 4, 2005 following the retirement of Kathy Dasney on April 1st.

2. MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2005:

Mr. Kawase requested that the first sentence of his report on the Foundation meeting be corrected to read: “Mr. Kawase reported that the Foundation’s endowment portfolio is stagnant due to the stock market, but they have diversified a portion of the endowment to include CDs.”

Mrs. Britt moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the minutes of the meeting of March 24, 2005 be approved as corrected. The motion carried.

3. WARRANT REGISTER OF APRIL 2005:

Mrs. Britt moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the warrant register in the amount of $40,976.05 be approved. The motion carried.

4. EXPENDITURE SUMMARY OF APRIL 2005:

Director Milo commented that 83.3% of the fiscal year is complete with 73.9% expended. The report was accepted and filed.

5. REPORTS:

a. Library Director

Director Milo explained the meaning of metadata records in regards to digitizing historical photographs. He reported that the Main Library is participating in Night in Fullerton. The CSUF Kaleidoscope Players will provide three performances aimed at children. Mr. Milo reported that the recruitment for a Senior Librarian at the Hunt Branch closed on April 15. There were 11 applicants and 6-8 of them will be invited to an interview. Former Technical Services Division Manager Maureen Gebelein is continuing in the position on a part-time basis until a new manager can be hired. She has been overseeing the installation of new staff computers. The public computers will be installed on May 5.

The written report was accepted and filed.

b. Friends of the Library

Friends President, Nancy Lee, reported that the Friends Annual Summer Book Sale will be held on June 3, 4, and 5th. She said the Friends received a royalties check from Arcadia Book Publishing for the sale of the books on Fullerton. The check will go into an account setup to support the Launer Room. Ms. Lee also said that Board of Trustees member, Ginger Britt, made a presentation to the Friends’ Board on her recommendation for a book store in the Library.

c. Library Foundation

Ray Kawase reported that the Foundation’s goal for the Dig Deep 4 Book$ campaign has been met. They have applied for a $15,000 grant from the Phelps Foundation. Their portfolio is still experiencing slow growth because of the market. They have a $300,000 endowment in a money market account and $80,000 in a checking account. Ms. Lee suggested that the Board send Maxine Allen a thank you note for all her hard work and effort on the Dig Deep 4 Book$ campaign. Mrs. Britt will send a note on behalf of the Board.

6. ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MARCH 2005:

There was discussion on the bookmobile circulation statistics. Mr. Kawase said the Board should take a look at what the public wants from the bookmobile. Mr. Georgieff said there is still a need for the bookmobile and suggested an advertising campaign. Director Milo said the bookmobile will be on the next agenda and Bookmobile Librarian, Chaunacey Dunklee, will be available to answer any questions regarding the use of the bookmobile.

The report was accepted and filed.

7. OLD BUSINESS:

a. Selection of Foundation Liaison

There was consensus to table the item to the next meeting when all Board members are present.

b. Office Visits to State Legislators

Mrs. Britt will schedule appointments for the Board members to meet with Assemblywoman Daucher and Senator Ackerman on May 13. Mrs. Britt will also contact CALTAC to schedule a fall training workshop for the Board to be held at the Library.

c. Revised Library Code of Conduct

There was consensus to accept the Library Code of Conduct as revised.

d. Library Bookstore Proposal

Mrs. Britt reported she had met with the Friends of the Library and presented her proposal for a book store. She distributed copies of a questionnaire she had requested the Friends fill out and a tally of their answers. She said although most of the answers were negative, one questionnaire had a comment. “Find out from libraries that have one how they started. More information is needed before the idea can be put to a vote.” Friends President, Nancy Lee, distributed a list of her thoughts and concerns about a book store. Mrs. Britt said she would volunteer to begin a book store guild and would be willing to donate a year of her time. Mr. Buck said his concern would be to not undermine the Friends’ morale. It might be better to just have a store that sells coffee and gifts. Mr. Kawase said the Board would not want to replace the used book sales. Mr. Georgieff suggested a space study of the library to find how best to utilize space for a coffee shop, book store, or young adults area. He said the Foundation could be approached to fund the idea. The Board requested the item be brought back for further discussion on the June agenda.

e. Santiago Library System Membership/Non-Resident Library Card

Director Milo explained that the Library cannot rejoin SLS until June 2006 because this year’s budget has already been done. He said the non-resident fee will need to stay in effect for another year. Mr. Georgieff moved and Mrs. Britt seconded that the non-resident fee be continued until the Library is accepted in SLS (July 1, 2006). The motion was approved.

f. 2005-2007 Proposed Budget

Director Milo distributed copies of his report “2005-2007 Library Budget Talking Points.” He explained the budget shortfalls: $100,000 per year over the next two years, and if the sewer fees are not approved by the City Council, an additional $500,000 per year. He said the biggest expenses are in personnel and library materials, and went through the expenditures for each subprogram. Mr. Georgieff inquired if there would be layoffs. Mr. Milo responded it would not affect full-time regular employees but it would affect part-time non-regular employees. He added that it would also affect the number of hours of operation at both the Hunt Branch and the Main Library. Mr. Georgieff requested staff to bring numbers to the next meeting.

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Memorial Day Closure

Director Milo explained that staff is requesting that the Library be closed the Sunday prior to Memorial Day. Mrs. Britt moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the Library be closed the Sunday before Memorial Day (May 29). The motion carried.

b. Carolyn T. Johnson Recognition

Director Milo reported in response to inquiries from the Board members, that Carolyn T. Johnson will be presented a plaque from the City Council in appreciation of her service on the Library Board of Trustees. Mrs. Britt will send her a note of appreciation from the Board members.

c. U.S. Poet Laureate Program

Mr. Georgieff said he is trying to get the U.S. Poet Laureate as a speaker for a Foundation program for early next year during the Library’s Centennial. He asked for the Board’s approval to continue to pursue the idea. There was a consensus of the Board members that he should continue.

9. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS:

Mr. Georgieff moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the gifts in the amount of $35,000 be accepted. Thirty thousand dollars was from the Foundation representing its first installation of funds raised by the Dig Deep 4 Book$ campaign. Five thousand dollars was from the Friends to purchase a laptop and scanner adapters for Technical Services. The motion carried.

10. CORRESPONDENCE:

Mrs. Britt read a post card from Roma sent by Board member Pearl Mann.

11. BOARD MEMBER ROUND TABLE:

Ms. Lee said she is really sorry that so much money has to be cut from the budget.

Mr. Georgieff said he had just returned from a 78 mile Boy Scout canoe trip. He also said he had spoken with Mayor Shawn Nelson at the Taste of the Town. The mayor seemed to be concerned about the Bastanchury property.

Mrs. Britt wished Mr. Buck’s critically ill son well. She said she will send confirmation of the May 13 meeting with the legislators to the Board members.

12. ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Georgieff moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 4:55 p.m. The motion was approved.