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MINUTES OF
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2008 The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Brookdale Library.
CALL TO ORDER Library Board President John Gibbs called the Hennepin County Library Board meeting of January 23, 2008 to order at 5 p.m. and welcomed all attendees. APPROVAL OF AGENDA David Pratt made a motion to approve the agenda which was seconded by Claudia Kelly. Motion was approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Therese VanBlarcom made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 28, 2007 Library Board meeting which was seconded by Cynthia Steinke. Motion was approved. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. PROGRAM REPORT Library Board Recognition: 2007 Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults Award for Hennepin County Library's International Teen Club - Nong Lee, Outreach Liaison to the Hmong Community. Housed at the Brookdale Library, this program was recognized as one of the five best in the country. Patrick Jones, Outreach Manager, presented the award and four teens shared their experiences and summarized activities they have been involved in that include knitting, Hmong flute class, poetry slam, culture shows and Dance Dance Revolution. This program is made possible by funds from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. DIRECTOR'S REPORT - Amy Ryan, Director United Hennepin County Library: Update
Expanded Library Board: Update February 27, 2008 will be the first meeting of the expanded Library Board. Orientation plans are underway, and the meeting will introduce work to be done on a new Library mission and vision. Future meetings will determine if updates or modifications are needed to the overarching goals. Capital plan funding applications will occur in April with a final plan in May. Library Board policies will be identified for review in June after the mission and vision is complete. Stakeholder Events The Friends of Minneapolis Libraries and Library Foundation will host a major gala at Minneapolis Central Library May 31. This fundraiser will include music, dancing, and a silent auction. Plans are also underway for an event in March to celebrate the united Hennepin County Library and thank our stakeholders. The March event will include the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, City Council, Minneapolis Library Trustees, Mayors from over 40 cities in Hennepin County, other elected officials, Friends of the Library and Foundation members. NEW BUSINESS Friends/Foundation Committee: Update This group was formed to learn about and provide guidance from the Library Board for these two highly valued support groups as we proceed post-merger. Holly Guncheon and David Pratt were appointed and John Gibbs will chair this committee. Other members are Pam Gagnon President of the Library Foundation, Glenn Miller President of the Friends of Minneapolis Libraries, Amy Ryan, and Char Sohlberg. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, 12-1:30 p.m. and is publicly noticed. Friends and Volunteers Recognition Event - May 17, 2008 at Golden Valley Country Club Please plan to attend this event, invitations will be sent. Impact of ballpark revenue on Library hours - Lois Thompson, Deputy Library Director Ms. Thompson and Ms. Palmer provided an overview of legislation that provides up to $2 million a year in revenue from the ballpark for library hours expansion. Preliminary planning is underway to provide the most access for customers and broad geographic coverage across Hennepin County. A framework is being developed with input from Library Board members and others. BUSINESS PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED Library Board Bylaws Proposed Revisions - Susan Segal Library Board Bylaws with proposed amendments post-merger were discussed. The changes are: adding a reference to the session law, in Article 1, paragraph 1 change the number of board members from seven to eleven and delete the statement, "Terms have been staggered so that no more than three appointments expire on December 31 of any given year." This sentence would be deleted because six terms will expire due to recent appointments in one year but continuity on the Library Board will continue. Approval of the Bylaws changes will occur after the February meeting. Certificate of Appreciation to Susan Segal, Senior Attorney, Hennepin County Attorney's Office John Gibbs thanked Susan Segal for her many contributions to Hennepin County Library, especially over the last six months with real estate, labor laws, Bylaws, administrative and many other issues associated with the merger. Ms. Segal said she enjoyed working with the libraries. Ms. Segal was wished the best as she begins her new position as the Minneapolis City Attorney mid-February. Library Board Policies Top priorities are the mission and vision, media relations, collection development, information services, and meeting rooms. These will be brought to the Library Board in 2008. 2008 Library Board meeting locations John Gibbs reviewed the Board meeting locations/times as presented. Patricia Izek made a motion to approve the list of meeting dates/locations/start time through March 19, 2008 with further review by the expanded Library Board to occur at the February meeting. This was seconded by Therese VanBlarcom and the motion was approved. Orientation: Update - Therese VanBlarcom An orientation notebook is being assembled for all Library Board members. An informal mentoring program to pair new board members with an existing board member to clarify or give background information was positively received. Library tours for members individually, or with Board colleagues will be offered. Consider the subcommittee format to address policies which might make the process more efficient. Further review of the Bylaws which state a subcommittee of three members based on a board of seven and possibly increase subcommittee size due to the eleven member Board. Mr. Gibbs asked Ms. VanBlarcom to follow up with Amy Ryan on the plans for welcoming new Board members, tours and orientation sessions. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS Mr. Gibbs acknowledged the list of non-monetary donations and thanked contributors on behalf of the Library Board. Ms. VanBlarcom moved to accept the donations, seconded by Ms. Kelly. Motion was approved. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Patricia Izek visited all of the Hennepin County Libraries located within the city of Minneapolis with her family. The staff in all locations provided a warm welcome. Ms. Izek encouraged other Board members to visit with the staff and explore libraries throughout Hennepin County. John Gibbs thanked the Library Board members for their commitment to visit new Hennepin County Libraries. David Pratt requested staff recommendations as to which events the Library Board should plan to attend at the Public Library Association Conference in March. Holly Guncheon requested a statistical analysis in response to the year end statistics that are down in 2007. Therese VanBlarcom thanked John Gibbs for his representation of the Library Board on the Committee on the Future of Libraries in Hennepin County, and at the openings of the three shuttered libraries. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Library Board Meeting of January 23, 2008, adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 5-6:30 p.m., at Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
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