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MINUTES OF
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING August 27, 2008 The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Eden Prairie Library.
CALL TO ORDER President Patricia Izek called the Hennepin County Library Board meeting of August 27, 2008 to order at 5:07 p.m. and welcomed attendees. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Cynthia Steinke made a motion to approve the agenda which was seconded by Jill Joseph. Motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENT Patricia Izek read the resolution commending Library Director Amy Ryan. Kathleen Lamb made a motion to approve the resolution which was seconded by David Pratt. Motion passed. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RICHARD JOHNSON
Eden Prairie Senior Librarian Ali Turner welcomed attendees. Ms. Turner provided highlights including the renovated Children's Readmobile space, a refreshed teen area and the reveal/open house on Sun., Oct. 26, the strong support from the Eden Prairie Friends of the Library, and other community collaborations with residents, schools and businesses. BUSINESS PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED Friends/Foundation Subcommittee Report Subcommittee Chair Gibbs provided background on the purpose of the Subcommittee, their work and the work of the two support groups. He also recognized Carolyn Bacon who served to facilitate the work of both groups. A draft resolution was presented to the Board recommending one Hennepin County Library system-wide support organization be recognized with three function areas - Development/Fundraising, Programs/Marketing, and Friends/Support Groups (one for each facility plus one online, total of 42). John Gibbs moved and Roger Hale seconded the draft resolution. Board discussion followed that included a review of the Board's duty to accept gifts and give guidance to the support structure. Mr. Gibbs recognized the valuable support from The Library Foundation of Hennepin County, The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library, and the intent to welcome neighborhood support that enthusiastically embraces the traditions existing groups have brought and will allow us to bring support for all Hennepin County Libraries to the next level as we continue moving forward. Public comments were made by Holly Denis and Christina Melloh. Three changes to the draft resolution were suggested by John Pacheco. Roger Hale made a motion to approve the draft resolution as amended which was seconded by Kathleen Lamb. Following Board discussion, the motion passed. NEW BUSINESS Library Board Fee and Fine Policy Director Amy Ryan recognized two complex fee schedules have been in place since Jan. 1, 2008. A uniform fine and fee schedule for all libraries that is easy to understand, equitable for all customers, and streamlines operations for staff was proposed. In addition, suburban libraries were audited last year and in order to reduce the subjectivity of waived fines the library needs to instigate consistency in waiving fines along with documentation and reconciliation which is accomplished by this resolution. If the recommended resolution is passed, the Library Board is endorsing the change which will be part of a public hearing on Oct. 31, finalized if approved by the County Board Dec. 16, and effective Jan. 1, 2009. Therese VanBlarcom made a motion to endorse the resolution for a uniform fine and fee schedule which was seconded by Roger Hale. Following discussion, the motion passed. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
An interim Director has not been named. Ms. Ryan explained County Administrator Johnson will make a decision in consultation with Board President Patricia Izek and the announcement is expected soon. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of the minutes of the July 23, 2008 Library Board meeting and acceptance of donations were moved by Roger Hale, seconded by Cynthia Steinke. The motion passed. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Therese VanBlarcom expressed congratulations and thanks to Amy Ryan and best wishes in her new position as President of Boston Public Library. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Roger Hale made a motion to adjourn the Library Board meeting of Aug. 27, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. which was seconded by Jill Joseph. The motion passed. The next meeting is Sep. 24, 2008 at Minneapolis Central Library.
Hennepin County Library Board Resolution Commending Amy E. Ryan
Whereas, Amy Ryan has served as Hennepin County Library Director since Jan. 4, 2005; and Whereas, Ms. Ryan has carried out her duties as Library Director with energy, creativity, strategic vision, imagination, stamina, and grace; and Whereas, with Ms. Ryan's guidance, Hennepin County Library continues to be a leader in library service that is nationally recognized and locally loved; and Whereas, under Ms. Ryan's leadership, Hennepin County Library made library resources accessible for all ages and interests in a wide range of traditional and emerging formats resulting in a significant increase in circulation in libraries along with the establishment of a strong online community of library users; and Whereas, Ms. Ryan was involved in five renovations (Brookdale, Brooklyn Park, Rogers, St. Bonifacius and Westonka) that refreshed libraries and supported positive environments for customers and staff, and reopened three libraries (Roosevelt, Southeast and Webber Park), all of which were renovated or reopened to the delight of neighborhood residents; and Whereas, Ms. Ryan served as a member of the Committee on the Future of Libraries in Hennepin County and participated and provided support as the committee explored 21st century library service for all residents of Hennepin County; and Whereas, during the discussions with respect to the merger of Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library, Ms. Ryan provided outstanding leadership before, during and after the transition with primary focus on providing better and more seamless service to the public in libraries, through the world wide web, and many other ways of outreach to all residents of Hennepin County; and Whereas, Ms. Ryan has worked tirelessly for and has a deep commitment to the mission of Hennepin County and Hennepin County Library, demonstrated the ability to make high-impact improvements, and has expressed a strong personal and professional commitment to diversity, including the ability to foster an inclusive community; and Whereas, Ms. Ryan has shown a great commitment to the staff of Hennepin County Library ensuring all are recognized and aware of their value to the organization and are treated with dignity and respect; Therefore, be it resolved, that the Hennepin County Library Board expresses its sincere thanks to Ms. Ryan for her visionary leadership and dedicated service to the Hennepin County Library and extends its best wishes to Ms. Ryan as she assumes her new responsibilities as President of Boston Public Library in Massachusetts. Kathleen Lamb made a motion for the Library Board to approve the resolution which was seconded by David Pratt. The motion passed.
Hennepin County Library Board Resolution
August 27, 2008 Whereas, the Library Board has the responsibility to accept and manage gifts and funds contributed to the Hennepin County Library ("HCL") and to articulate and endorse major library system goals and initiatives for which significant private financial support and partnership will be necessary; and Whereas as a result of action by the Minneapolis Public Library Board, Minneapolis City Council and Mayor, Hennepin County Board, Hennepin County Library Board ("Library Board") and Minnesota Legislature, the Minneapolis Public Library ("MPL") system ceased to exist as of the first of the year and its assets and mission were consolidated into the HCL; and Whereas, The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library is a nonprofit entity which provided valuable support to the Minneapolis Public Library for over 60 years; and Whereas, The Library Foundation of Hennepin County ("Foundation") is a nonprofit entity that has provided valuable support for the Hennepin County Library for over 20 years, as have many local Friends Groups loosely affiliated with HCL and the Foundation; and Whereas, the Library Board charged its Friends/Foundation Subcommittee with providing information to the Library Board to help frame conversations at future Board meetings on the work being done by our highly-valued partners, The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library and the Foundation and make recommendations if appropriate; and Whereas, the Subcommittee has worked with representatives from The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library and the Foundation, Therefore, be it resolved, that
This resolution incorporates all amendments adopted at the Hennepin County Library Board meeting August 27, 2008.
Hennepin County Library Board Resolution to be acted on August 27, 2008
Whereas, a public hearing was held Nov. 27, 2007 prior to the merger on the fine and fee schedule for Minneapolis libraries and on Dec. 18, 2007 as part of the Library consolidation, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 07-12-656 allowing the existing fine and fee schedule for the Minneapolis libraries to continue, and Whereas, two fine and fee structures have been in place in Hennepin County Library since Jan. 2, 2008, and Whereas, a single, Hennepin County Library fee and fine structure that is easily understood by customers and staff for all Hennepin County Libraries is recommended to minimize confusion, simplify procedures and establish an equitable system-wide practice, Therefore, be it resolved, that the Hennepin County Library Board endorses the recommended Hennepin County Library Fee and Fine policy effective Jan. 1, 2009 to be presented for County Board approval. Therese VanBlarcom made a motion for the Library Board to endorse the resolution for a uniform fine and fee schedule which was seconded by Roger Hale. The motion passed.
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