HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-07-11 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting
Fayetteville Public Library
July 11, 1988
Present: Board Members Dorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Charles Kirchen,
Foster Park, Carol Phillips; Library Director Linda Harrison
President Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The minutes
for the regular June 6 meeting were approved as circulated.
library Director Harrison commented briefly on the Statistical and Finan-
cial, reports for June that had been mailed with the agenda for today's
meeting. In response to a question, she commented about the handling of
the petty cash fund. She further noted that the Library is approximately
halfway through the summer reading program for children, with excellent
attendance so far. The restrictions on leaving children in the Library
(recently approved by the Board at staff suggestion) seem to be working
well; the staff has expressed pleasure at the Board action.
In new business President Hay announced that the Fayetteville Rotary Club
has given the Library a new IBM PS -2 Model 25 computer for use by the
public as well as the Library, with additional funds for several software
programs that have been ordered. Publicity will be generated later when
the software has arrived and staff prepared, with regulations and expertise,
to assist public use. Some of this staff training will perhaps be conducted
during the early fall closed week. Budget provisions will be needed for
later updating and further programming; the furniture item in the present
budget can possibly be tapped for the closable stand needed for public
display. There is also the probable need for a maintenance contract, and
for a printer later. A motion by Foster Park, seconded by Carol Phillips, that
the Board expresseits appreciation to the Fayetteville Rotary Club for this
generous gift was approved unanimously.
It was announced that the Arkansas State Library is accepting applications
for grants that will go to five Libra y systems in the state for establishing
video collections for public use. Our application would go through Ozarks
Regional Library, but any video collection awarded would be housed in all
probability in the Fayetteville Library. A motion by Carol Phillips,
seconded by Dorothy Bowen, to encourage the Ozarks Regional Library to
apply for one of the grants was passed unanimously. Director Harrison
further noted the interest of the Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library
in contributing to a video circulation program.
President Hay reported for the Automation Committee on a very worthwhile
recent 'visit she and Director Harrison had made to the Fort Smith Public
Library to observe and gather information about its computer operations.
Fort Smith has been working in computerization for about seven years and
has developed a number of effective applications, including a time -saving
overdue books notice program. Other applications include: an inventory of
holdings, mostly using summer help; genealogy and cemetery records; a
business -financial program; printing processes; and a Books -in -Print
program that is costly but eliminates the purchase of annual volumes for
updating. Based on their experience their advice was that Fayetteville
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Meeting of July 11, 1988
perhaps start with D -base 3 or 14, word processing, and some sort of
accounting program, with expansion later. Dorothy Bowen suggested that we
send a letter of appreciation to the Fort Smith Library for their courtesy
and help. Director Harrison will make a list of equipment and supplies
that we particularly need to start. We also need to resolve with the City
of Fayetteville the question whether or not bids will be required. We
still have not received the remainder of the money from the McLucas
bequest, part of which funds will be used for automation beginnings.
Dorothy Bowen commented on the report of the Space Utilization Committee,
ailed with the agenda, President Hay further noted her recent conversations
with Dr. Mashburn about possible library acquisition of the Pediatric
Building next door. She was told that a real estate appraisal has been
made although no specific figures were mentioned. Dr. Mashburn has indi-
cated that the building will go on the open market by the first of next
year if the Library (or the City) does not proceed with a purchase of it.
The Board agreed that speedy action is needed, especially in trying to
get some commitment from the City about possible purchase. President Hay
and other Board members will visit the Pediatric Building soon and try'to
get more specific information about space arrangements, possible costo,
and the like.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Foster Park, Secretary