MINUTES OF
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2008
The Hennepin County Library Board met Wed.,
Sept. 24, 2008 at Minneapolis Central Library.
Present: Holly
Guncheon, Roger Hale, Patricia
Izek, Jill Joseph, Kathleen Lamb, John Pacheco, David Pratt, Cynthia Steinke
and
Therese VanBlarcom
Hennepin Bill Berg, Ginger Bush, Tonya DePriest, Connie Hill, Teresa Jensen, Teresa
Jepma, Richard P. Johnson, Patrick Jones,
Staff: Michael McConnell, Stacy Opitz, Nancy Palmer,
Allen Rezac, Char Sohlberg, Lois Langer
Thompson, Marilyn Turner and
Betsy Williams
Public: Lynn
DeVore, Pam Gagnon, Kelly Kilmartin, Cheryl Luger,
Adam Olson, Donna Scudder and Stu Wilson
CALL TO ORDER
President Patricia Izek called the Hennepin County
Library Board meeting of Sept. 24, 2008 to order at 5:04 p.m. and welcomed
attendees.
APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
Ms. Izek amended the agenda to include updates on the Planetarium and 2009
Budget request from County Administrator Richard Johnson. David Pratt requested
it be further amended to welcome Stu Wilson, soon to be confirmed as the new
Executive Director of the combined Library Foundation and Friends of the
Minneapolis Public Library. Ms. Izek approved the additional amendment. Roger Hale made a motion to approve the agenda as amended
which was seconded by Cynthia Steinke. Motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kelly Kilmartin from Sylvan Learning Centers introduced herself to the
Board and offered their services to collaborate in any educational realm from
enrichment to remedial support for learners age four to adult.
COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR RICHARD JOHNSON
Library Director Recruitment Update
The County Board approved the request to
the State for an exception to the salary cap to increase it to $160,000. A
promotional flyer is being developed to promote the opening and respond to
inquiries. Advertising nationally begins Oct. 1 for six weeks. A Human
Resources (HR) team will develop qualification criteria and an applicant review
team will be formed to screen applications based on the criteria. The applicant
review team may consist of two Library Board members, one member from the
Library Foundation, one representative from The Friends of the Minneapolis
Public Library, and two outside library professionals. The committee's task is to
recommend three to six candidates to interview. Three interview panels should
also be created: 1) Library Board Director Search subcommittee comprised of
three or four Board members; 2) County Administration; and 3) Library Senior
Management team. The Library Board subcommittee and Library Senior Management
team submit recommendations to Mr. Johnson who will consult with both groups as
a final decision is made on who to recommend for confirmation by the County Board. Library Board discussion on the
process followed and included a request from Roger Hale for information on the
benefits package estimated at 55% of the salary. Ms. Izek will provide two
Board member's names for the applicant review team by the end of October for
screening to begin mid-November. John Pacheco made a motion for concurrence
with the Library Director hiring process as presented by Mr. Johnson, the
motion was seconded by Jill Joseph.
Motion passed.
Planetarium Update
The County Board resolution with a recommendation from
the Planetarium Work Group to support building a planetarium on top of
Minneapolis Central Library with contingencies was summarized. Mr. Johnson
reported the County Board clarified their position in support of the efforts
but they will not seek and do not desire legislative authority for Hennepin
County to issue debt for a planetarium, in the event private fundraising
efforts fall short. They also indicated any future planetarium funding and
operations would be maintained separately from the Library system. Board discussion
followed.
2009 Budget Request Update
Mr. Johnson summarized the proposed 2009
Operating Budget as presented to the County Board Sept. 23. The request is $1.7 billion (an increase of
approximately 2.4%). The Library proposal represents an increase slightly over
8% which means a number of departments proposed budgets may decline or be held
flat. Next steps: hearings with departments begin mid-November with the Library
presenting Nov. 17. Commissioner amendments may occur Nov. 19-20. As the
request is currently constructed it uses 6.98% of the maximum levy of 7% so
adjustments mean taking money from one place and moving it to another. The
final 2009 budget will be adopted by the County Board Dec. 16, 2008. Board
discussion followed.
PROGRAM REPORT
- Library Services Division Manager Ginger Bush
Ms. Bush provided an overview of Minneapolis Central Library service
highlights. Tours for first time visitors continue at a rate of 150-200 people
per month which means the library is still new to many people. Other
statistical information was shared that showcased a library in constant motion that
is rich in partnerships. Board
discussion followed and Ms. Izek acknowledged Ms. Bush's retirement Oct. 17.
She also thanked Ms. Bush for her years of service and many contributions.
Kathleen Lamb added her best wishes and thanked Ms. Bush for the spectacular
role she has had at Minneapolis Public Library, always representing the best of
what public service is and should be.
WELCOME AND
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Pratt introduced Stu Wilson who will start Oct. 6 as the Executive
Director of the soon to be merged Library Foundation of Hennepin County and The
Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library. Mr. Wilson addressed the Board to
express his appreciation for the opportunity to work with them.
PROGRAM REPORT
- National Association of Counties Information Officers Awards (NACIO)
Acting Communications Supervisor Stacy
Opitz described six awards presented to HCL at a County Board meeting:
1) External publications: kids and
teen program guides; 2) News and writing:
ttyl@hcl program news release; 3) Photos: library vignette a collection of photos of
libraries in HCL; 4) Community events: El día de los niños/El día de los libros for program promotion; 5) Computer
media: eNews redesign that uses sound
and flash animation for children grades K-5; and 6) a second award in this category
for the updated eNewsletter. Ms. Izek
reported Sept. 26 is Ms. Opitz' last day, and wished her well in her new
position with Casa Esperanza.
BOARD MEMBER
REPORTS
Ms. Joseph updated the
Board on planning meetings for ground breakings for Plymouth (scheduled Mon.,
Oct. 13 @ 2 p.m.) and Maple Grove libraries. She will inform the Board as soon
as a date is set for Maple Grove Library.
Ms. Izek reported on the
Sept. 23 meeting of Board officers and past president facilitated by Carolyn
Bacon. A report with a recommendation to form three standing committees will be
distributed as soon as it is available.
Therese
VanBlarcom reported on feedback received at the Sept. 23 meeting that included a
need expressed by staff for strategic planning from the Board. The committee
recommendation is expected to help the Board effectively move forward in that
direction.
NEW BUSINESS
Library Board Policies - Interim Library Director Lois
Langer Thompson
Five policies: Donations,
Gifts to the Collection, Internet Public Use, Data Privacy of Library Records,
and Friends of the Library were recommended for review. Board discussion on the
list of policies to be reviewed in 2009 included a request from Mr. Hale for
staff to research "best practice" policies in leading libraries in
the U.S. Ms. Izek will appoint members to a Policy Review committee prior to
the next Board meeting. After the suggested policies have been reviewed by the
committee, they will be presented for adoption by the full Board.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thompson thanked the
Board, Mr. Johnson and library colleagues for their support in her role as
Interim Library Director. She also provided an update on Capital Projects.
Following discussion, Ms. Lamb requested an updated list of capital projects for
the Board. Ms. Thompson reminded Board members of the Franklin Learning
Center's 20th Anniversary celebration Oct. 7 from 5-7 p.m. and
mid-resource group Principal Librarian Connie Hill provided background
information the Franklin Learning Center. Board members interested in attending
the Minnesota Library Assoc. Conference in Bloomington, Nov. 19-21 should
contact Char Sohlberg.
CONSENT ITEMS
Approval of the minutes
of the Aug. 27, 2008 Library Board meeting and acceptance of donations were
moved by Ms. VanBlarcom, seconded by Mr. Hale; the motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Ms. Joseph made a motion to adjourn the Library
Board meeting of Sept. 24, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. which was seconded by Ms. Steinke.
The motion passed. The next meeting is Oct. 22, 2008 at Ridgedale
Library.
____________________________________
John Pacheco, Secretary