ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
MEETING OF THE BOARD
HEADQUARTERS BRANCH
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008
3:30 PM
The monthly meeting of the Board of the St. Louis County Library District was held at the Headquarters Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. 63131, on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. The agenda had been posted in all branches of the Library District at least 24 hours before the meeting.
ATTENDANCE:
Library Board Members:
Jean Weinstock, President
Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Vice President
Kenneth Stricker, Treasurer
Dr. Ching Ling Tai, Secretary (via telephone)
Mrs. Edith Cunnane had an excused absence.
Others Attending:
Charles Pace, Director; Gary Holdefer, Associate Director and Comptroller; Tim Wadham, Assistant Director, Youth and Community Services; Barbara Brain, Assistant Director for Adult and Support Services; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Marie Conlin, Library Planner; Jim Bogart, Development Manager; Eric Button, North Regional Administrator; Candice Oliver, South Regional Administrator; Lisa Stump, Lashly and Baer; SLCL staff attending: Leander Spearman, Ellen Meschke, Jake Fejedelem, Kathy Wiese, Vicki Krueger, Joyce Loving, Susan Scupin, Lori Boschert, Scott Holl; Mary Wilson, Nicole Clausen, Erin Dominguez, Carrie Robb, Denise Keller, Barb Urban, Kathy Condon Boettcher; Pete Kruchowski, and Sandra Williams.
The MINUTES, dated Monday, October 20, 2008, were approved by the (Stricker/Beckwith).
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
The Treasurer’s Report dated October 31 was approved subject to audit (Stricker/Beckwith). Mr. Holdefer reported that the second installment was received for the RFID grant.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Mr. Pace reported on the following.
There have been a number of different complaints and concerns regarding various issues over the past month with no real pattern to them. Concerns regarding the leased DVD collections seem to have subsided somewhat as our customers get used to the new system. Nevertheless, we are still concerned about having enough materials to meet the demand of all of our users. We are hoping that the availability of materials will increase once we have a few months worth of orders on the shelf. The leased book collections have been very well received although we will continue to tweak and make adjustments to the number of copies ordered as we go forward.
We recently made the decision to once again allow patrons of municipal libraries to place holds on our materials. For some years they have not been allowed to place holds unless they buy a nonresident card. However, this seemed somewhat inequitable since we do allow patrons of the city and St. Charles library systems to place holds. Administering this restriction also caused a lot of ill will between us and the municipal libraries. So as of January 1, their patrons will be able to place holds on our materials, a decision which has been greeted with considerable enthusiasm by their patrons and by our own staff and which should put everyone on the same playing field.
Major Library Events
On Thursday, October 16 we launched the second year of the “Gift of Reading” program at the Florissant Valley Branch. County Executive Charlie Dooley was in attendance and spoke about the importance of books and reading in his life. Following a few brief remarks by Mr. Dooley and our Foundation Board President Harry Morley, we retired to the auditorium to distribute books to the children in attendance at our story time program. The event was very well received by these young people and was a great opportunity for them and our sponsors as well as just being something fun and exciting.
Friday, October 17 saw the return of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson to the library talking about their latest collaboration “Science Project”. As usual both Dave and Ridley were fun and entertaining, crowd included children of all ages and I would estimate that in excess of 350 people attended the program.
Renowned author, illustrator, and St. Louis resident Mary Engelbreit spoke at the library on Friday, October 24. Close to 200 people attended this program and got to meet Ms. Engelbreit in person.
On Wednesday, November 5, I introduced well known mystery writer Reed Coleman at the Jewish Book Festival. This event took place at the Jewish Community Center and was sponsored by the Library. Mr. Coleman is a good friend of the library and has visited us the past three years in a row as part of our Mystery Night. I would estimate the crowd at about 150.
Facilities
Our facility projects are in the wrap up stage as we move toward completion of this year’s budget cycle. The roofing projects here at Headquarters and Daniel Boone are complete except for the installation of the metal end caps at both locations. We are waiting on the sheet metal workers for that final touch. Re-carpeting work is complete at Headquarters and Florissant Valley. Data rewiring at HQ is now underway and should be completed in the next couple of weeks. Our other projects are in their final phases.
Early reports on the use of our new RFID system have been encouraging. During the first month that the system was up and running at our Sachs Branch, roughly thirty percent of all circulation was handled via self check. We expect this number to increase steadily over the next few months as people get more used to the new system. Certainly a goal of fifty to sixty percent self check is within reach in the coming months.
Challenged Materials Issue
The committee looking at this issue met a few times and is preparing a report and recommendations for Board consideration. As we discussed previously, this proposal will be presented to the Board for review and approval at the December Board meeting.
Author Events
Famous children’s author Lemony Snicket was special guest at a book signing at the Daniel Boone library on November 8. He signed copies of his latest book “A Lump of Coal”. Lemony Snicket is the pen name of author Daniel Handler.
The library hosted noted Presidential historian H.W. Brands on November 11. Mr. Brands discussed his biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Traitor to His Class”.
On Tuesday, November 18 we will present Steve Watts talking about his newest book, “Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream”.
Dr. Tai asked why patrons were not allowed to donate material for the Asian Center. Barbara Brain responded that Library policy only accepts certain material that can be added to the collection. Other donations would go to the Library bookstore. Dr. Tai volunteered to review some of the material that patrons would like to donate to the collection for the Asian Center.
Dr. Beckwith stated that he would like to see more managers and assistant managers attend the Board meetings.
OLD BUSINESS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
IN SERVICE DAY
The Board approved a request presented by Library planner Marie Conlin to have staff attend an In-service day on Columbus Day, October 12, 2009 and to close the Library on that day. The staff event would take place at an off site location and it would be mandatory for all full time staff to attend. Part timers would be welcome. The Library would advertise the closing well in advance. (Beckwith/Stricker).
BUDGET
Gary Holdefer presented a review of the Highlights of the 2009 Budget. The Budget includes 10 eliminated positions (which are currently vacant); the elimination of overdue notices being mailed; no transfer from the undesignated fund balance; funds for the new Library logo; funds for roofing and parking lots at designated branches; more money for the Pension due to poor market performance in 2008; more funds for DVDs and adult books; the installation of RFID at three additional branches. The Board approved the 2009 Budget (Stricker/Beckwith).
Dr. Beckwith requested a copy of the flow chart for branch managers.
CLOSED SESSION
Kenneth Stricker moved that the open meeting adjourn. All approved by individual voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________________ __________________
Chingling Tai Date
Secretary