HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-17 MinutesFayetteville Public Library
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
August 17, 2009
Minutes
Prepared by S. Terry, Communications Manager
Board Members present: L. Brewer, S. Clark, D. Ferritor, M. Hunt, E. Jordan, M. Malone and B. Schaffer.
Staff present: S. Foley, C. Rew, L. Schaper, S. Terry and S. Thorup. Press: S. Descant, The Morning
News and Robin Mero, Northwest Arkansas Times.
I. The Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 4:12 p.m. by L. Brewer.
II. Approval of minutes. D. Ferritor made a motion to approve minutes from the June 15
meeting. B. Schaffer seconded. All voted aye.
III. Reports. A.) Management reports — L. Schaper reported that the library installed Envisionware
last week, an upgrade of its PC and print management system. The system allows the library to
charge for black and white and color copies separately. S. Thorup announced the number of
Summer Reading Club participants increased more than 62 percent from 2008. The elementary
program increased 45 percent while the teen program participants increased almost 22 percent.
Program attendance was up almost 7 percent. Thorup also said she and Lolly Greenwood, Youth
Services Manager, recently met with the director of the Washington County Head Start. A
Community Development Block Grant will allow the library to put lending libraries in each of the
Fayetteville Head Start locations. The program will launch in September. L. Schaper announced
the Friends will host a bargain book garage sale on Saturday, August 22 because of a recent
overflow in donations. S. Thorup noted FPL will pilot a program this year to sell online textbooks
donated to the Friends of the Library. The program will be piloted this year through the University
of Arkansas's School of Education. Performance Measures — L. Schaper said the library saw the
busiest months ever during June and July. About 65.5% of the check outs were done on the self
check out stations. Self registrations are up about 28%. Volunteer hours are up almost 12%. B.)
Financial Report — C. Rew noted the library's utility bill has recovered somewhat from the harsh
winter because of the cooler -than -usual summer. The library should not go over budget on that
line item. L. Schaper reported that state aid to libraries is back up to the same level after it had
been cut. All libraries are seeing an increase in state aid. C.) Search Committee Report — M.
Malone reported that the search committee has met twice, reviewing applications, gathering
information and checking references of applicants. Malone said the committee had a good group
of applicants and thanked Sharon Daniel for her help organizing the applications. D.) Audit
Committee Report — E. Jordan reported the finance committee met with the auditors. Both the
Library and the Foundation were in good financial shape considering the down economic times.
E.) Art Committee Report — E. Jordan reported that the art committee met in June and
afterwards the library staff had Stealing Horses by Woodrow Wilson Crumbo appraised. The
artwork was given to the library in the 1930s and was appraised for $25,000. It will be
recommended to the Art Committee that it be hung in the library's Roberta Fulbright room. The
committee also approved a temporary art exhibit for Starpops by local artist Stuart Fulbright. The
exhibit is at the corner of Rock Street and School Avenue.
IV. Unfinished Business.
V. New business. A.) Revisions to policies —1.) Policy KG: Computer resources and internet
use: S. Thorup said this came from the Reference and Adult Services Department and the three
main points are: includes the laptops for check out, clarified expectation that patrons will only use
their own card and limiting visitors passes to one per person per day. E. Jordan moved to
approve; S. Clark seconded. All voted aye. M. Malone made a motion that revenues from
sale of the eco cards be dedicated to green initiatives at the library. D. Ferritor seconded.
All voted aye. 2.) FG: Grant review: S. Throup reviewed the Foundation's grant policy and
made changes to include administration of a successful grant. D. Ferritor moved to approve; B.
Schaffer seconded. All voted aye. 3.) JF: Fee schedule: S. Thorup said the revised schedule
includes fees for the fan cards, bike locks that are checked out and lost or have to be cut off and
laptops that are checked out and not returned. S. Clark moved to approve; D. Ferritor
Vl.
VII.
seconded. All voted aye. B.) Appointments to the FPL Foundation Board of Directors: D.
Ferritor announced the recommended appointments of Sally Overby, George Faucette and Tony
Uth and the reappointment of Mary Beth Brooks. B. Schaffer moved to approve; S. Clark
seconded. All voted aye. C.) Recommended revisions to the bylaws of the FPL
Foundation: S. Thorup reformatted the bylaws to reflect the Trustees' bylaws, removed items
that were no longer relevant and included best practices, etc. to conform to the Trustees' bylaws.
D. Ferritor moved to approve; B. Schaffer seconded. All voted aye. D.) Staff presentation
by Susan Foley, Director of Development: Foley said her top three goals were to raise funds
for the NEH Challenge Grant, to reorganize the Roberta Fulbright Society into an annual giving
fund and to work on the Ed Begley Jr. Renowned Author event, which the library will host Friday,
October 23.
Executive Session: D. Ferritor moved to go into executive session at 5:19 p.m. M. Hunt
seconded. The board came out of executive session at 6:11 p.m. D. Ferritor moved to contact
three candidates to verify they are still interested in the position. As soon as they are
verified, their names will be released and teleconference or in-person interviews will be scheduled
to take place before Labor Day. S. Clark seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Adjournment: D. Ferritor moved to adjourn. B. Schaffer seconded. All voted aye. Meeting
adjourned at 6:18 p.m.