HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-08 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting
Fayetteville Public Library
February 8, 1988
Present: Board MembersDorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Foster Park, Carol Phillips,
Margaret Salassi; Library Director Linda Harrison; Ozarks Regional
Library Director Karen Duree
President Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The minutes for
the regular January 11 meeting were approved as corrected (in paragraph 5
present library tax support is .5 mill rather than .6 mill as stated).
Library Director Harrison circulated and discussed the Statistical and
Financial reports for January, noting that both circulation and new registration
are down a bit from 1987. She noted the $646.65 under Equipment Maintenance:
this is the rest of the bill from Montgomery Elevator for elevator service.
Director Harrison announced that the Library will receive *205,090 from the City
of Fayetteville in its 1988 budget. She circulated a revised Library budget to
reflect this decrease of 36000 in requested city support for 1988. The motion
by Carol Phillips, seconded by Margaret Salassi, to accept this revised budget
passed unanimously. Ms. Harrison further noted that previously indicated staff
vacancies have now been filled.
Ozarks Regional Library Director Duree discussed at some length and answered
questions about the proposed campaign to restore the one mill tax for library
support in this area. There will be a meeting on February 22 of a somewhat
limited group to begin planning. Restoration of the full one mill tax, she
estimated, would bring in an additional $175,000 for the county per year. A
failure to pass the increase might be devastating because of the possible loss
of state aid. President Hay noted the need to try to get accurate projections
of gains and possible losses although both she and Director Duree cautioned
about the problems of interpreting budget figures and allocating specific sums
to various divisions within the library system. The loss of the full one mill
tax came without any real prior recognition of the consequences with the passage
of Amendment 59 to the Arkansas Constitution in 1980. In response to a question
from President Hay, Director Duree indicated that projected increases would be
used in various ways by individual libraries: some libraries need a usable
catalog, others: need additional books and materials, perhaps others could
install computer services. No exact answers are really possible in advance.
In old business. Director Harrison circulated copies of a letter to City Prose.
cutor Terry Jones about the recent book theft/substitution case, but no reply
has yet been received.
A discussion of needs for the incoming new board member followed. President Hay
has written to Mayor Marilyn Johnson about the coming vacancy and desirable
qualities in the new appointee.
Under long range planning Director Harrison called attention to new proposals
from staff member Genie Donovan: for genealogy; for expanded reference services;
for building improvements, especially fixtures; for a possible theft detection
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Minutes for February 8, 1988 (continued)
system; for a separate Young Adult section; for improved audio-visual services;
for a separate typing room. The Board expressed its appreciation for these
suggestions and invited others from Library staff.
President Hay noted that although the City of Fayetteville has not moved
directly to purchase the Pediatric Building next door (as was discussed in
Board meetings last year), the City is apparently still consideriig such a
purchase as part of its long-range planning. It was noted that the Library,
because of pressing space needs, may soon be forced to give up its auditorium
for public use. President Hay will write to city officials strongly urging the
need for additional space such as the Pediatric Building might provide.
Director Harrison was urged by the Board to keep a file of such long-range plans
discussed by the Board and by the Library staff.
Director Harrison noted that the staff is now working on formalizing Library
policies and rules for later Board consideration and approval.
In view of recent and prospective Board membership changes President Hay's
name will be added to the signature cards for the general checking account
(in the event of Treasurer Phillips' absence).
The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Foster Park, Secretary
