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Home My WebLink About1988-11-14 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting Fayetteville Public Library November 14, 1988 Present: Board Members Dorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Charles Kirchen, Foster Park, Carol Phillips; Library Director Linda Harrison; Ozarks Regional Library Director Karen Duree President Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 1.4:00 p.m. The minutes for the regular October 10 meeting were approved as circulated. Library Director' Harrison commented on the previously -circulated Statistical Report and the Financial Report. Of particular concern are the two break-ins of the Library during tne last month, with some glass panel breakage and minor burglaries (some money from the Children's Department desk and a checkbook from Director Harrison's office). The Board discussed various ways of dealing with this problem, including the possibility of having more outside lighting and more extensive police patrolling. Ms. Harrison then reported on public access computer use for the new IBM computer --a total of 88 hours since October 1. In addition, staff members have been using it for both practical uses and for practice. Adult Services Director Genie Donovan was present to report on book purchases for the year. She further noted that titles have been picked out for tne recent vidiotape grant. But of particular interest was her announcement of a special grant, that Mrs. Donovan recently applied for, from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This grant is of a number of videotapes, estimated value $30,000, of MacArthur Foundation -sponsored programs including Alistair Cooke's America, American Playhouse, Civilisation, Nova, The Story of English, Planet Earth, and Great Performances. It was noted that we will need to get additional storage and display cases for this collection. The book shelves beside the main circulation desk will be built up and enclosed (estimated cost *55o) to serve! as storage. Director Harrison reported on tne status of the 1989 budget, noting the across-the-board cut of 14 mandated for all city budget requests, but this cut does not affect the $500,000 capital improvement plans (approved by Fayetteville voters, along with other capital projects for the City, on November 8). Directors Harrison and Duree further noted the recent vote to restore the one mill tax for library support; Washington County and Rogers voteoifor it; Crawford County voted against, but tne proposal can be voted/again in 1990. It will be 1990 or 1991, however, before this additional library support can be collected and allocated. Treasurer Phillips reported that we have $2776.17 currently in our First National Bank checking account, $995.98 in the Memorial Fund, page 2 Meeting of November 14, 1988 $21,558.32 in the McLucas Fund in Mcllroy Bank, and $49,039.55 in the three certificates of deposit. President Hay and Directors Harrison and Duree reported on the recent Arkansas Library Association meetings in Little Rock. It was generally agreed that such meetings are quite useful, particularly in face of considerably decreased state aid to libraries this year. Some changes needed in the ALA Constitution and the desirability of obtaining more members from among library boards of trustees were particularly noted. President Hay suggested that we perhaps need to consider paying member dues from Library funds and possibly travel funds for the state meeting. Northwest Arkansas was well represented at the recent con- ference. President Hay reported on several problems regarding the acquisition of the MedArk Building. It will be April or May 1989 before the bond issue for Fayetteville capital improvements will be approved. In the meantime we need to see what kind of architectural service will be necessary. Furthermore, we need to formalize some sort of agreement to purchase before the bond money finally becomes available. And we need to see if the $100,000 allocated for renovation will be sufficient. Director puree noted that some money is available from the State Library for library renovation. Director Harrison reported on the bids that have been received for a Fayetteville Library computer system. Of the five responses to our requests for bids only one --from Computers Plus -.-was complete. Their bid for $8343 indicated no extra charge for installation; additional training for staff use is available at $35 an hour. Charles Kirchen moved, with a second from Dorothy Bowen, approta1 of the bid from Computers Plus, with an additional $2000 flexibility for adjusted supplies and options at the discretion of Director Harrison. The motion was approved unanimously. The Board then turned to the letter of November 2, 1988, from the Ozarks Regional Library about the curreib poor quality of janitorial service for the Library building. It was gaaerally agreed that considerable improvement in the service is needed. Director Harrison was asked by the Board to solicit new bids for janitorial service (there is no formal contract at present) and to notify the present service. Secretary Park will draft a letter of response to the Ozarks Regional Librakry. A patron request for reconsideration of a book, dated October 24, 1988, in the Children's Tilbury was denied. A. motion by Dorothy Bowen, seconded by Foster Park, that a letter of explanation be sent was unanimously approved. Children's Librarian Mim Neralich will also suggest alternatives to the book complained of. The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Foster Park, Secretary