Public Library Board October 20
October meeting was held at the library’s main branch in Burlington.
Agenda
A motion was made by Chairman Jackson to amend the agenda to eliminate discussion regarding the Florence branch and the Archive & History Center as Dr. Jackson wants to have the individuals directly related to these two topics present at the Board’s meeting. The motion passed and these two items will be added to the agenda for November instead.
Presentations
Presentations were given by the Digital Services Librarian and the Collection & Technical Services Director regarding the Boone County Public Library’s (BCPL’s) process for handling digital media as well as how the BCPL determines what books or other items remain on the shelves and how items are “retired” or aged out, given that the library can’t just continue to add shelves.
Public Comment
A young man who has been monitoring the Board meetings for a few months commented on the digital collection, saying he would like to see the budget increased to provide more digital media such as audio books. Naomi Lebsen, the young man’s companion, wants to see more effort by the BCPL to promote the classics, especially for children. She also touted authors such as Kurt Vonnegut, especially for young men. She also referred to obtaining other more “subversive” classics, also geared towards young men.
Director’s Report
- The BCPL received a $10,000 grant from the Kentucky Arts Council to add a mural and other items for the US 250th anniversary. Other grants are pending but the government shutdown has slowed the grant responses.
- On November 14 Director Herrmann (CH) will attend a Boone County award ceremony honoring the Boone County Park system.
- The BCPL staff is conducting a review of the library’s hours at all locations.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to no longer support rate funding of internet hot spots, which will affect BCPL remote access for activities such as the BCPL bookmobile.
- In August the BCPL launched an email initiative to remind patrons whose library cards are expiring.
- BCPL staff is working on two new story walks around the county.
- CH confirmed that Joe, who has been attending the last several board meetings with concerns about the Florence branch, has been working with her facilities director and has expressed satisfaction with the progress that has been made with the Florence branch, specifically the landscaping issues.
- In response to Board member Rich’s question about the Hebron land use analysis from the two public meetings, CH indicated the consulting firm is still gathering and collating the responses and that she may have a presentation available for the November meeting.
Accountant’s Report
Current assets total $87 million with $61 million in fixed assets. $737,000 in liabilities. Fund equity just over $69 million. In the first fiscal quarter BCPL received $735,000 in revenue.
Business
- The Open Records & Open Meetings Act document that had already been distributed and acknowledged by the Board had to be resubmitted as the State Attorney General released an updated version in late September.
- The Staff Development & Training Policy was presented for the Board’s approval. The policy included the tweaks required by the Board at last month’s meeting and was approved in final form.
- The Risk Management policy was presented to the Board as a new policy and after very little discussion was approved by the Board.
- Board member Myers reported on the meeting the Chapin Memorial Library (CML) Ad Hoc Committee had with the newly retained consultant, who is actually an architect. They went over the history of the CML plus its history with the BCPL. The consultant wants to reach out to the community as much as possible rather than utilize a survey approach. The Ad Hoc Committee will reconvene in December to allow the consultant time to meet one on one with various community groups.
- A GED testing grant as well as a website technology grant have been applied for.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:45pm