CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by President Mann at 2:30 p.m. in the Library Board Room.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Britt

Absent: Mr. Georgieff, Mr. Kawase

Staff: Al Milo, Library Director
Sandy Lamoureux, Circulation Manager
Betty Schwarzkopf, Administrative Secretary

Guest : Nancy Lee, President, Friends of the Library

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17, 2004:

Mrs. Britt moved and Mrs. Johnson seconded that the minutes of November 17, 2004 be approved. The motion carried.

WARRANT REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 2004:

Mrs. Johnson moved and Mrs. Britt seconded that the warrant register in the amount of $33,568.99 be approved. The motion carried.

EXPENDITURE SUMMARY OF DECEMBER 2004:

Director Milo commented that 50% of the fiscal year is complete with 37.7% expended. The report was accepted and filed.

REPORTS:

1. Library Director

   Mrs. Johnson commented that Google is advertising that the holdings of major libraries will soon be included on their search engine. Mr. Milo responded that while he understood that this is technologically possible, there are still legal hurdles concerning copyright laws.

   Mrs. Britt commented that the library is out of the Images of America: Fullerton, books. Mr. Milo responded that they are available at several retail sites throughout Fullerton. Staff has a list of these sites. The books were sold out at the library in November.

   Director Milo introduced the new Library Circulation Manager, Sandy Lamoureux, who comes to the Fullerton Public Library from the Orange County Public Library. Friends President, Nancy Lee, invited Mrs. Lamoureux to attend the Friends next board meeting.

   Director Milo said that the City has had a hiring freeze for more than a year, but the City Manager has approved recruitment for a Librarian and a Library Division Manager. There are currently three librarian positions vacant, one each in Childrens Services, Reference, and the bookmobile. There will be an in-house recruitment for the Librarian position. Twenty applications were mailed to part-time librarians already on the library pay roll. Library Division Manager, Kathy Dasney, has announced her retirement effective April 1, 2005. Recruitment for a Senior Librarian at the Hunt Branch has been put on hold until the new Childrens Division Manager has been appointed so he/she can participate in the selection process.

   The written report was accepted and filed.

2. Friends of the Library

   Ms. Lee reported that the Friends would have their annual Christmas luncheon the next day. She also said the Friends expect to receive $500 from the Senior Citizens Club for large print books.

3. Library Foundation

   Director Milo reported that the Foundation has raised more than $12,000 for the Dig Deep 4 Book$ campaign towards its goal of $52,000. Foundation representatives have distributed flyers at School Night @ the Library events. The Foundation plans to have another solicitation letter to request donations in March. Ms. Lee said that Terry Brick will be the new Library Foundation President in 2005.

ACTIVITY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2004:

The report was accepted and filed.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. CALTAC

   There was discussion as to whether or not the Board should participate in the January Day in the District. There was consensus that the Board Members will meet with State Senator Dick Ackerman to make him aware that the Library has had a $52,000 cut from its materials budget. Director Milo commented that in March the Governor is supposed to submit the proposed State budget, in May his revised budget, and in June the Legislators approve the budget.

2. Honor Wall Criteria

   Staff distributed draft guidelines for review. Following a discussion, Mrs. Mann suggested changing the sentence Nominees may be living or dead, to Recipients may be recognized posthumously. Mrs. Britt moved and Mrs. Johnson seconded that the guidelines be approved as amended. The motion was approved.

3. Young Adult Services

   Director Milo distributed copies of a draft survey for a teen focus group. It was suggested that Ethnic Background be changed to Family Heritage. Mrs. Johnson suggested that the questions be more specific:

   • What brings you to the Library?
   • In a year, what would you like to see at the Library?
   • In what way does the Library help you?
   • For what purpose do you use Library computers?

   Under Item No.5, Rate the Librarys collection of ask the following question: Knowing these resources are available, what do you use?

   Under Item No. 6, Program ideas ask What can we do to make the Young Adults section of the Library more attractive and useful?

   It was suggested that the focus group format should include a facilitator and a recorder. It was also suggested that Glenn Georgieff would make a good facilitator. The recorder would write ideas down on easel sheets. Director Milo said that more than one focus group may be necessary.

4. Library Bond Act

   Director Milo said that he had located the May 23, 2002 Board minutes and the notes by former Board member Bruce Hostetter on the requirements of the 2000 Bond Act application. Director Milo will review these minutes and notes to decide if they might be helpful to the entire Board. Mrs. Britt said that she would like to see a copy of the actual bond application.

   Director Milo mentioned that many libraries that had received state bond funds were struggling to stay within their original construction budgets. Construction costs in California have increased dramatically in just a couple of years. There are libraries having to scale back their projects, or even worse, return the money unspent. Some libraries, like Azusa, had invested a considerable amount of staff and consultant time in meeting the requirements of the bond application process only to learn that they will not be funded.

   Mrs. Johnson said that Fullerton should explore other options to the state bond funds. She pointed out that the Childrens Library expansion was supported by funding from the Library Foundation and the Citys Redevelopment Agency. No state funds were used in that construction project.

   Director Milo reminded the Board that the next library bond measure will not be on the State ballot until March of 2006. If passed, applications will probably not be accepted until 2007.

ACCEPTANCE TO DONATIONS:

Mrs. Britt moved and Mrs. Johnson seconded that gifts in the amount of $1,160.62 be accepted. The motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

There was no correspondence to report.

BOARD MEMBER ROUND TABLE:

Mrs. Johnson reported that she and her husband attended a presentation by Margaret Wheatly in Anaheim. She said a number of Orange County cities sent employees. There were 900 people in attendance. Mr. Milo said that Joanne Hardy, Kathy Dasney, and Tim Mountain attended. Mrs. Johnson and her husband had a stimulating lunch with Mrs. Hardy and Mr. Mountain after the event.

Director Milo said Board President, Pearl Mann, has been named Attorney of the Year by the Orange County Women Lawyers Association. She will be honored on January 4, 2005 at the Turnip Rose in Orange.

Mrs. Britt said that one of the nominees for the Orange County Distinguished Women Awards is a member of the El Toro Library Friends. Their Library Book Store made $75,000 the first year it was open.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Johnson moved and Mrs. Britt seconded that the meeting adjourn at 3:50 p.m. The motion carried.