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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-22 MinutesBOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING Fayetteville Public Library September 22, 1997 Present: Board members: Mark Burdette, Nancy Hendricks, Steve Singleton, Maury Roberts, Michael Thomas (arrived late), Library personnel: June Jefferson, Lynaire Hartsell, Lolly Maxey, Mary Saxon, Mary Jo Godfrey, Carolyn Diemente, Anne Prichard, ORL Director Karen Duree, Don Michael of the Northwest Arkansas Times, and Scott Butki of the Morning News. I. Call to order: Burdette called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm in the meeting room of the Fayetteville Public Library. II. Statistical and Financial Reports: Jefferson presented the Statistical and Financial Reports. Jefferson noted that since the library was closed for two weeks in August, the statistics are for only half a month. Burdette pointed out that it looks like we are under budget in the salaries category. It was presumed that this was due to the loss of two Reference librarians who haven't been replaced. Jefferson noted that we have been making transfers from long-term development on a quarterly basis to fund the automation and it is about time to do this again. This is timed to when a CD matures. In the financial report where it looks like we are over budget, it is because the automation was not budgeted for, because it will come from long-term development. If you take off the figures for the computer equipment, training, software, furniture, building maintenance related to computer installation, office supplies, technical support, severance pay, coverage salaries, and staff needed for duties to be covered because of the subsequent shuffling of responsibilities and added tasks, we are within the budget. III. Report on Washington County Library Meeting: Maxey reported that it was the decision of the Board to go with the 94% collection rate figures, whichis advantageous for all the libraries concerned. Duree noted that this amount is an increase over last years figures. Maxey said this amount is for one year only, and is one of the issues that will be turned over to the consultant. Duree said this year the allotments were decided only upon the school districts valuation, with no other factors involved. Roberts asked Duree what were some of the factors used for evaluation. Duree replied circulation, attendance, hours, holdings, number of patrons, number of interlibrary loans, number of holds placed on material - there are any number of factors that statistical reports can be made from. Burdette said it is hard to get a handle on what is really important, and so thats why using the school district valuation is much easier. IV. City Council Tour: Tour will be Wednesday morning Sept. 24 at 7:30. Hartsell said they will begin the tour in Genealogy, then to Children's, and finish upstairs in the adult library where we will have some refreshments. We hope to do patron registration and register the City Council members. Burdette asked Duree what amount the County was chipping in on the automation project for Fayetteville's part until the end of this year. Duree said she wasn't sure• but would fax these figures to Thomas. V. Special Announcement: Additional staff and patrons who came for the special announcement were Lynn Stewart, Wendy Stewart, Pat Schram, Shawn Walker, Ann Tatom, Nadine Sewak, Kathy Stevens, Melanie Stockdell, Susie. Walker, Barbara Hale, Patsy Stromblad, Karin Wiggins, Jeanie Wyant, Carol Szedlak, and Cynthia Christie. Also present were representatives of Channel 5 and Channel 29. Thomas announced that he had gotten a call from Marsha Woodruff, attorney for the estate of Lela Otwell, who was with us today. Ms. Woodruff announced that Mrs. Otwell had left $500,000 to the Fayetteville Public Library. The money is to set up a perpetual fund with these strings attached, (1) the Library Board can only spend the interest generated from this fund, and (2) the money can only be spent on long term assets. Thomas asked Ms. Woodruff to give us a little background on Mrs. Otwell. She said Mrs. Otwell's husband, Harry Otwell, who died in the 1970's was an eye doctor in Fayetteville.. He was also an inventor, and several of his optical devices were patented and are still in use around the United. States. Mrs. Otwell was very interested in eye care and education and left gifts to many charities. Ms. Woodruff siad she will be able to deliver a cashier's check to the Board within a week or two. Thomas said the Board will appoint .a review committee to recommend an investment strategy directed toward growing the -endowment while generating modest income that will be used for projects in the spirit of the Otweli's wishes. The plan is for future Boards to have a steady income from this endowment. Thomas said he felt we should take an area and dedicate it to the Otwell's. VI. Adjournment: Roberts moved to adjourn, Singleton seconded, and all voted AYE. The meeting was adjourned at 5:20. Executive Session: Burdette moved .to go into Executive session, Roberts seconded, all voted AYE. The Board went into Executive Session at 6:00. Burdette moved to adjourn the Executive Session, Roberts seconded, and all voted AYE, and Ole meeting was adjourned at 6:20.