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MINUTES OF
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 2007 The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at the Ridgedale Library.
CALL TO ORDER John Gibbs, President called the Hennepin County Library Board Meeting of January 24, 2007 to order at 5 p.m. and welcomed all attendees. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda was unanimously approved. MINUTES Holly Guncheon suggested a revision to the minutes of November 29, 2006. P. Izek moved approval of the revised minutes, seconded by Therese VanBlarcom and they were approved unanimously (6 yeas, 1 absent). PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. INTRODUCTIONS Amy Ryan introduced two Hennepin County Library staff members. Char Sohlberg, Administrative Assistant, Director's Office and Mary Kramer, Capital Projects Coordinator, Center for Innovation and Design. LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Patricia Izek: Attended two Friends of the Library meetings: Hopkins and St. Anthony. Both groups are active and extended a warm welcome to the Library Board. Holly Guncheon: Attended a Raptor Center program at the Rockford Road Library. It was a wonderful collaboration; children and adults in attendance were enthralled. Ms. Guncheon also heard from a delighted customer who recently used her Museum Pass. Cynthia Steinke: Used a Museum Pass at the Museum of Russian Art. It was a wonderful place and staff at the museum was very positive about the Museum Pass program in conjunction with libraries. Ms. Steinke also complimented and thanked Judy Hohmann and the staff in Partnerships & Communications for the At Home Reader which she regularly uses with her book groups. David Pratt: Attended the Michael Stephens presentation, The Hyperlinked Library Social Tools and Trends which focused on the future of libraries. It was fascinating to learn about a new generation of library users in this technology-driven age. Mr. Pratt was pleased to see that the library is aware of these changes and is keeping up with them. Amy Ryan suggested an update on the 21st Century Library from staff from the Center for Innovation and Design as the program report at the February 28, 2007 Library Board meeting which was affirmed by Library Board members. John Gibbs: While on vacation in La Quinta, California in Riverside County, he visited the library and was asked by staff where he was from. When he responded, the staff member asked if he was familiar with the library here. When he replied he was, there was instant, genuine recognition of Hennepin County Library's accomplishments. Mr. Gibbs publicly congratulated Amy Ryan and the staff for doing an outstanding job. PROGRAM Library Board Recognition Dana Bjerke, Youth Services Librarian at the Ridgedale Area Library won a New York Times Librarian Award for 2006. The award "recognizes those librarians in public libraries whose exemplary performance and outstanding community service have made their libraries friendlier and more accessible institutions," according to the NY Times. This year 1,300 librarians were nominated and 21 from around the U.S. won the award. Amy Ryan read an excerpt from the nomination essay written by Shalene Gupta, teen volunteer. Ms. Bjerke received a Recognition of Excellence Certificate from Mr. Gibbs, Library Board President, and congratulations from all in attendance for her outstanding and inspiring work. Museum Adventure Pass Program David Pratt asked about sponsorship through Macy's and MELSA. The museums do not get paid for admissions by the sponsors. They are donating the admissions and benefit from the collaboration and increased recognition. DIRECTOR'S REPORT - Amy Ryan Committee on the Future of Libraries in Hennepin County Amy Ryan recognized the many contributions made to the committee by Judith Friedrich. Attendees were reminded there is a link on the homepage that carries all of the documents from the meetings. There are also notebooks available to view at the Ridgedale Information Desk and at the Central Library Information Desk at Minneapolis Public Library. Ms. Ryan summarized the two meetings that have been held. Handouts prepared for the third of three scheduled meetings were distributed. She also summarized revisions to the principles the options will be measured against, a variety of funding options prepared for discussion purposes, and other issues yet to be determined. Questions and further discussion on governance, advantages, disadvantages and financial feasibility from Library Board members followed Ms. Ryan's presentation. Library Board members were reminded the meetings are open to the public and all were invited to attend the next Committee on the Future of Libraries in Hennepin County (scheduled Jan. 25, 2007 at 11:45 a.m., A-2400 Hennepin County Board Meeting Room). NEW BUSINESS - Janet Leick Positive Environments 2007 Action Plan (draft distributed). Ms. Leick provided background on the need to accommodate all library users, recognizing a significant influx of middle and high school students every weekday afternoon in Hennepin County Libraries. The Library's goal is to ensure a positive environment for all users and staff. In October 2006, staff from six libraries (Augsburg Park, Brooklyn Park, Hopkins, Oxboro, Rockford Road, and St. Louis Park) met to share success stories and identify needs based on their experience with this issue. The outcomes of this meeting resulted in the first items in the action plan:
OLD BUSINESS Report from Bylaw Review Subcommittee - Patricia Izek and Therese VanBlarcom Postponed until the February 2007 Library Board Meeting. Capital Projects Update - Janet Leick The Plymouth and Maple Grove plans are in the schematic design phase with the architects. Decisions are being made about how the buildings are oriented on the site, storm water management, parking lots, traffic flow, book drops and drive-up reserve pick-up windows. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS Therese Van Blarcom moved to accept gifts, seconded by Holly Guncheon, approved unanimously by the Board (six yeas, J. Lunde absent).
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