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Library Board Executive Committee June 8, 2009 Meeting Summary

Library Board Members Therese VanBlarcom, President Claudia Kelly, Vice President John Pacheco, Secretary John Gibbs Holly Guncheon Roger Hale Patricia Izek Jill Joseph Kathleen Lamb David Pratt Cynthia Steinke Library Director Lois Langer Thompson

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Attendees: Library Board members President Therese VanBlarcom, Vice President Claudia Kelly, Secretary John Pacheco, past President John Gibbs, Jill Joseph; staff Director Lois Langer Thompson, Operations Division Manager Nancy Palmer, Capital Projects Manager Lois Lenroot-Ernt and Marilyn Zastrow

Welcome and Approvals

President Therese VanBlarcom welcomed attendees. Claudia Kelly made a motion to approve the meeting agenda; seconded by John Pacheco. Motion passed. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve the summaries of the April 13 and May 11, 2009 meetings; seconded by Jill Joseph. Motion passed.

Mission and Vision Next Steps

Ms. VanBlarcom led the discussion regarding the next steps for the mission and vision. Lois Thompson will provide a copy of the work completed for Executive Committee review in July. Outcomes from the Committee discussion will be presented to the full Library Board.

Board Attendance at Library Events

Ms. VanBlarcom discussed Library Board presence at HCL events. Library staff will invite Board members as appropriate. The process for attending will remain "informal" but members are encouraged to attend events they are interested in and are asked to report back to the full Board. Discussion followed with an annual "open house" was suggested where officials could attend and Library Board members would share annual priorities, the role of the advisory Board, being strategic in being an advocate for the library at community events, and board members being acknowledged by staff at events.

Committee members also discussed the need to meet with the County Board on their focus and priorities. Discussion included the need to inform the County Board of the current committee structure, what they are working on and plans for the future -- the challenge to find best practices for the new HCL with the current budget constraints and finding a way to achieve their vision for the library of the future.

Preliminary 2010 Library Operating Budget Request

Nancy Palmer reviewed the 2010 Operating Budget Outlook (4% reduction). Discussion followed and included the impact on the operating budget when new libraries are opened (Plymouth and Maple Grove), health insurance increases and maintaining purchasing power for collection and technology. Five priorities have been identified by the Library: early literacy, out of school time, jobs and small businesses, 55+ and lifelong learning with diversity integrated into each. and evaluating library efficiencies (ratios of number of staff per hour, open hours to circulation and facility s.f., staffing levels, etc.). Discussion followed and included customer access, hours, partnerships, and community expectations. Ms. Thompson added the Library request is due July 2 and she will communicate with the Library Board via e-mail. The full Library Board will receive a 2010 operating budget request update at the July 22 meeting.

Action Items

Draft meeting summary will be forwarded to members to be approved at their next meeting.

Change next meeting from July 13 to July 6 at Central Library, Doty Board Room, 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Director Lois Thompson and President Therese VanBlarcom will meet with Commissioner Opat and outline a conversation with the County Board.

Approved July 6, 2009