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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-12 MinutesBoard: of Trustees Meeting Fayetteville Public Library (Meeting held at 548 E. Ash Street) October 12, 1987, 4:00 p.m. Present: Board Members Dorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Foster Park, Carol Phillips, Margaret Salassi; Library Director Linda Harrison; Ozarks Regional Director Karen Duree President Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The minutes for the regular September 14 and the special September 21 meetings were approved as mailed. Library Director Harrison circulated and discussed the Statistical and the Financial reports for September. She noted that circulation for the month and for the year to date is slightly above that for 1986. Total new registrations for the year are also up over 1986. The expenditure for the airconditioner replacement (1835.00) is listed under Fixed Assets on the Financial Statement. The $407.40 payment to Franklin & Son (under Building and Grounds) is for necessary caulking around. building windows. The Director also noted that the McLucas gift, reported last month, is unrestricted; presumably the Board can determine its use. The asbestos removal in the Library building is proceeding on schedule. The Director noted that preparations by staff members went well before final closing of the main portion of the building. Library staff work is proceeding according to assignments made earlier by the Director. There have apparently been few problems for the Ozarks Regional staff except for some noise from air monitoring. Ozarks Regional staff has had fewer patron inquiries than expected. Director Harrison disttibuted copies of the proposed 1988 budget, which is 15-17% over the current 1987 budget. The book budget is increased significantly, especially in view of the recognition that Fayetteville total holdings are not growing as needed. Because the book budget has often been tapped for unexpected, emergency expenditures in other areas, the 1988 budget has a new provision for unexpected repair, replacement costs. Regional Director Duree raised the possibility of changing to the category of municipal rates for SWEPCO electrical costs as a way of reducing expenditures. Carol Phillips moved, with a second from Margaret Salassi, that the proposed budget be approved. The motion carried unanimously. The Library budget is due in for preliminary city consideration on Wednesday, October 14. After considerable general discussion of possible uses for the McLucas gift Dorothy Bowen moved, with a second from Carol Phillips, that some system of Library automation -computer control (including financial -accounting programs to keep track of funds, investments, and expenditures) receive first priority. Recognizing the need to investigate first the various possible systems, the Board postponed any decision on definite commitment of funds. President Hay appointed the following committee to study the possibilities and to report back at some future date: Margaret Salassi, Chairman; Dorothy Bowen; and Director Harrison. The Board next considered the problem of the now inoperable building elevator. Three separate firms have made inspections, and prices quoted range from $12,000 to $15,980 for repairs, $25,000 to $30,000 for a new elevator. Consultation with page 2 Meeting for October 12, 1987 (continued) the city administration is obviously needed to set up specifications in preparation for taking bids. The Library will clearly be without elevator service for several months at a minimum. Margaret Salassi's motion, with a second from Carol Phillips, that the Library Director be authorized to draft a letter to the City about elevator need passed unanimously. Director Harrison reported that two members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints have offered to help develop and to help staff (on a volunteer basis) the Library genealogy section. The Board noted the possible benefits from access to other genealogy holdings and from additional staffing but recognized the legal questions that may be raised about doubtful church -state interactions. No formal Board action will be taken until additional information is available and possible legal advice secured. A request from the Sertoma Club for a speaker on the Library for October 21 has come as a result of the Chamber of Commerce news bulletins. Director Harrison hopes that staff member Donovan can make that talk. Secretary Park called attention to the written statement of evaluation for Director Harrison which he had prepared after the meeting of September 14. All members of the Board agreed to sign that statement. The original signed copy was turned over to Ms. Harrison and a copy will be placed in her personnel file. There will be budget conferences with the city within the next few days. Board member Phillips indicated that she is available to accompany Director Harrison whenever desirable. The meeting adjourned at 5;25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Foster Park, Secretary