CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by President Mann at 2:31 p.m. in the Library Board Room.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Britt, and Mr. Kawase

Absent: Mr. Georgieff

Staff: Al Milo, Library Director
Joanne Hardy, Adult Services Division Manager
Kathy Dasney, Childrens Services Division Manager
Betty Schwarzkopf, Administrative Secretary

Guest : Nancy Lee, President, Friends of the Library

MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2004:

Mr. Kawase requested that Item No. 7(b) sentence 2 be corrected to read: Mr. Kawase inquired if the Council has been invited to numerous library functions. He also requested that the second sentence of paragraph 2 be deleted.

Mrs. Britt moved and Mr. Kawase seconded that the minutes be approved as corrected. The motion carried.

WARRANT REGISTERS

1. June 2004 (FY2003-2004)

   Mr. Kawase moved and Mrs. Britt seconded that the warrant register in the amount of $34,641.66 be approved. The motion carried.

2. July 2004 (FY2004-2005)

   Mrs. Britt moved and Mr. Kawase seconded that the warrant register in the amount of $67,203.75 be approved. The motion carried.

EXPENDITURE SUMMARIES:

1. June 2004 (FY2003-2004)

   Mr. Milo commented that the fiscal year is now completed and shows a surplus of 4.6 percent. The report was accepted and filed.

2. July 2004 (FY2004-05)

   The report reflected 8.3 percent of the year complete with 1.9 percent expended. The report was accepted and file.

REPORTS:

1. Library Director

   Mrs. Britt inquired about the READ Team. Division Manager Joanne Hardy explained that the acronym stands for the Rapid Exhibit and Display Team, a group of librarians prepared to make a display in response to a current event, such as the death of Marlon Brando. Mr. Kawase inquired about a comment made at the City Council budget hearing about closing the Hunt Branch. Director Milo responded that Council Member Shawn Nelson asked him if the Library had considered closing the branch as an alternative to cutting the Library Materials budget. He added that the inquiry plus a letter by Kanani Fong printed in the newspaper had caused public reaction. Mrs. Mann inquired about the two vacant staff positions due to the retirement of the Circulation Manager and the Bookmobile Librarian. Mr. Milo responded that the City is currently under a hiring freeze, but the City Manager has given his approval for an outside recruitment for the Circulation Manager position. The Bookmobile position is on the agenda for discussion under Old Business.

   Adult Services Division Manager, Joanne Hardy, gave an update on the grants staff has applied for: (1) $10,000 from the Alcoa Foundation for business/community partnerships and (2) 12 videos on human rights. A $10,000 grant was awarded for global language materials for both adults and children. The funds will be used for the purchase of Spanish and Korean materials. The Small Business in a Box grant was also awarded. Staff attended a preparatory workshop and also met with the Chamber of Commerce where they found tremendous support for the grant. In August, the Reference Librarians will attend a training workshop and conduct a survey of the small business community. Several Board Members suggested staff make a presentation on the local cable channel. The written report was accepted and filed.

2. Friends of the Library

   Nancy Lee, President of the Friends of the Library, reported that the Friends have recently received a number of very large donations of used books. One donation was 65 boxes; another was 100 books on cars; and another was 16 boxes of railroad magazines.

3. Library Foundation

   Mr. Kawase said the Foundation Boards July meeting would not be held until the following week. However, he reported that he had tried to make an appointment with City Council Member Nelson. Rather than meeting they had a telephone conversation in which Mr. Kawase explained the distinction between the Library Board of Trustees, the Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Library. They also discussed the Hunt Branch. Mr. Nelson understands that Council has no control over its existence. He is also aware of the Deed of Gift to the City on the Bastanchury property and its restrictions. Mr. Nelson would like to be invited to the next Library Board meeting. Mr. Milo suggested that because there will be a closed session at the August meeting, it would be best to ask him to attend the September meeting.

ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JUNE 2004:

Director Milo commented that this report is for the end of the fiscal year. Division Manager Dasney noted that figures from the Childrens Room have not been included under electronic resources and requested they be included beginning with the new fiscal year. Staff will revise the report to include the Childrens Room. The report was accepted and filed.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Bookmobile Service

   Director Milo informed the Board members that Bookmobile librarian, Barbara Weber, has retired and is moving to Grand Island, Nebraska. He said staff is taking this opportunity to review the Bookmobile schedule and its staffing. Advantages of an in-house recruitment would be a faster process and familiarity of candidates. Disadvantages would be the hiring freeze and a smaller pool of applicants. Advantages for an outside recruitment would be a larger pool of applicants and the opportunity to attract applicants with desirable skills (e.g., bilingual and the ability to drive the Bookmobile). Disadvantages would be it is a slow process, and there is a hiring freeze. Mr. Kawase and Mrs. Britt would like the Bookmobile service to continue without interruption even if that means a reduction in service. There was consensus that there be some type of interim service. At the Boards request, staff will work on getting the Bookmobile in service as fast and as soon as possible.

2. Young Adults Services

   This item was tabled to the August Regular Meeting.

3. Honor Wall

   Mr. Milo said he has not been able to find information on the criteria for choosing a candidate.

NEW BUSINESS:

ACCEPTANCE TO DONATIONS:

Mrs. Johnson moved and Mr. Kawase seconded that the donations in the amount of $6,300 be accepted. The motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

There was no correspondence to report.

BOARD MEMBER ROUND TABLE:

There was discussion regarding the action taken by the City Council on the restructuring of Boards, Committees, and Commissions. The City Council will appoint an ad hoc committee to review and rate applications.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Johnson moved and Mr. Kawase seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 4:50 p.m. The motion carried.