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Library Board Executive Committee September 14, 2009 Meeting Summary

Library Board Members Therese VanBlarcom, President Claudia Kelly, Vice President John Pacheco, Secretary Brandi Brown John Gibbs Holly Guncheon Sandy Johnson 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 and Jill Joseph. Staff: Director Lois Langer Thompson, Nancy Palmer, Jodi Monson and Char Sohlberg

Welcome and Approvals

President VanBlarcom called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. Claudia Kelly made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Jill Joseph. Motion passed. Ms. Kelly made a motion to approve the summary of the July 6, 2009 Executive Committee meeting; seconded by Jill Joseph. Motion passed.

Meeting with Hennepin County Board Chair Commissioner Mike Opat

President VanBlarcom and Library Director Lois Langer Thompson met with Commissioner Opat Aug. 3, 2009. He expressed the need and value of Library Board connections with the public to help tell the library's story. The County Board receives input on facilities and buildings via partnerships with other entities and constituents. A joint Board meeting will be revisited in early-2010.

Library Board Officers/Library Foundation Board of Directors

The Library Foundation of Hennepin County is in the process of revising their Bylaws possibly by Jan. 2010; Library Board membership on the Foundation Board will be included.

Strategic Planning Process

Ms. Thompson proposed an HCL Strategic Plan process and requested feedback on the Board’s role. Discussion followed. Committee endorsed the plan and felt it was appropriate for the full board to review the kinds of services being proposed and priorities (setting guidelines for future use of resources). They would like to be kept informed by the Library Director as the plan progresses. Committee agreed to the suggested phased implementation and felt a schedule to review the plan was necessary to ensure the it's relevance. John Pacheco requested clarification on the role of the Library Board. Ms. VanBlarcom explained that based on Minnesota Statutes, it is advisory in nature, not to involve itself in operational matters. Discussion followed and the possible need for a Strategic Plan for the Library Board was expressed.

Budget Update

Operations Manager Nancy Palmer provided an update on the 2010 requested Library Budget. Ms. Joseph summarized feedback provided to the Library Director by the Budget & Finance Committee as staff prepares the Library's presentation to the County Board. A dry run of the presentation will be presented at the next Budget & Finance committee meeting Mon., Oct. 12 at 3:30 p.m. in the Robert H. Rohlf (RHR) Meeting Room at Ridgedale. Handouts will be submitted to Commissioners prior to the Library's 2010 Budget presentation scheduled Fri., Oct. 23 at 9 a.m.

Other announcements

1) Please watch for an invitation from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County for a joint luncheon with the Library Board Mon., Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m. at Marquette Hotel. 2) Information from the Mpls. Planning Commission re: Nokomis Library project will be shared by Lois Thompson via e-mail. 3) Jill Joseph updated the Executive Committee on the Capital Budget Task Force (CBTF) meeting she attended. 4) CBTF goes before the County Board Thur., Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. to make capital budget recommendations.

The Sept. 23, 2009 Library Board Meeting Agenda was set by the Executive Committee.

Jill Joseph made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m.; motion was seconded by Claudia Kelly. Motion passed.

Updates/Next Steps

Draft meeting summary will be forwarded to members to be approved at October meeting.

Future agenda topics for: Full Library Board, Oct. 28: Strategic Plan, Budget de-brief; Executive Committee, Oct. 12: identify Board meeting program reports, Library Board and Executive Committee meeting dates for 2010, Communication/Advocacy plans.

Next meeting is Mon., Oct. 12, 2009 at Ridgedale Library, RHR Mtg. Rm., 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Approved 10/12/09