HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-15 MinutesFayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting November 15, 2004 Minutes Prepared by Steven Thomas, M.L.S., Director of Operations Board Members present: L. Gottsponer, M. Thomas, M. Roberts, L. Brewer, A. de Noble, and S. Singleton. Absent: B. Schaffer. Staff present. L Schaper, S. Thomas, & C. Rew. Other's present: V. Chadick, Lindsley Smith. Press present: The October 18, 2004 Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by L. Gottsponer. 1. M. Thomas moved to accept the minutes of the August meeting. M. Roberts seconded. All voted' aye. 2. Library Reports. 1.) L. Schaper noted that circulation had continued to soar since the opening of Blair Library, with more than 70,000 items being checked out during the 3+ weeks in October that we were open. 2.) L. Schaper and S. Thomas discussed progress being made with the self -check workstations, the high usage of the young adult collections, and the heavy demands being placed on the magazine and media collection. 3.) L. • Schaper discussed the Jim Gilmore visit to the library and noted that a video of his lecture was currently being processed. 4.) L. Schaper and C. Rew noted progress being made on the building's punch list. 5.) L. Schaper noted that the landscape lighting was completed, but that there was still a lot more landscape work to be done. 6.) L. Schaper noted the retired librarians volunteering at FPL, answered questions from M. Roberts about Friends Bookstore sales and stated that FPL had been presented the "Golden Shovel Award" at the most recent Chamber of Commerce construction industry banquet. 3. Statistical and Financial Report. '1.) S. Thomas noted that library circulation for the year would exceed measures and likely top 700,000. 2.) L. Schaper noted new categories on the form (YA computers, KidTech, etc) due to the layout of the new' building. 3.) L. Schaper discussed Summer Reading Program statistics from last summer and provided an overview of the myriad tours given at Blair Library. 4.) C. Rew discussed revised budget worksheets which omitted funds related to building project expenditures noted that substantially increased utility bills would be kicking in soon, and noted the presence of the funds from the sale of the Fulbright building as a line item on the budget. 5.) C. Rew and L. Schaper discussed the building project worksheet and talked about the number of expenses that are still out there including the need for additional tasks chairs, a scissors lift, etc. 4. Punch List Progress. L. Schaper and C. Rew noted ongoing progress and answered questions related to potential fixes for the security gate at the front of the library. 5. Sale of Building. V. Chadick noted that the sale of the building had been finalized. He also reported on the escrow requested by the buyers. 6. 2005 Budget. C. Rew noted that FPL will need to go back to the City Council for additional funding for landscaping, maintenance and cleaning. L. Schaper noted that library requests, to this point, have met with city approval. 7. TIF. V. Chadick stated that Senator Sue Madison had gotten questions to submit to the Arkansas Attorney General regarding TIF and the Fayetteville Public Library and that he hoped that these had been forwarded and that answers would come soon. He stated that this opinion was non-binding. He further stated that he was convinced that the library amendment to the Arkansas State Constitution prohibited funding from a dedicated millage from being used for any other purpose and felt it was likely that the Attorney General would rule this way as well. 8. Millage Rollback. L. Schaper and C. Rew noted that there were more issues to be finalized before this issue was ready to be discussed. 9. Executive Director Appraisal. The library board decided that L. Schaper's evaluation would be held in December. 10. M. Thomas retirement from Board. M. Thomas was presented an honorary hard-hat and a framed etching of Blair Library. A letter — written with input from board members and staff — was read aloud expressing Michael's vast contributions to the success of FPL and of people's feelings about him. 11. At 5:30 M. Thomas moved to adjourn. M. Roberts seconded. All voted aye.