September 20, 2007
Present: Deb Adams, Director and board members Amy Robinson, Patricia
Moeller, Bill Wotkyns, and Anne Ladd. Also present was Jan Livingston,
County Administrator, standing in for Leland Christianson, County Commission
liaison to the library board, staff Dail Barbour and guest, Gayle Lien.
President Bill Wotkyns called the meeting to order.
All welcomed the new board member, Patricia Moeller.
Correspondence-none since last board meeting
Approval of Minutes: Amy moved to approve as presented, Ann seconded,
all voted in favor.
Section 215 Report: There have been no requests under Section 215 of
the Patriot Act.
Bill suggests moving the executive session up for Jan's convenience
and suggests that Dail remain for the executive session as she had done
a lot of research with the church which might be helpful. Bill asked
Deb to leave as she holds a position with the church and she agreed
that she should not be involved in any discussions of price. Amy moved
to go into executive session concerning land acquisition-Ann seconded,
all voted in favor.
Gayle makes a request before she left the room that she thinks the
e-mail list which receives the library board agenda also needs notification
of continued meetings. Dail will do this.
Anne moved that the board end the executive session and return to the
public meeting, Amy seconds, all voted in favor. Jan then gave some
general information about the meeting with the church.
The County (Jan Friedlund and Keith Gingery) met on Friday, September
14 with the owners of the potential site for the Alta Branch Library.
Jan said that discussion about current zoning and land use regulations
for the property was part of the meeting. Jan also let the Library Board
know that she will meet with the County Commissioners on this topic
next week to keep them apprised before the next meeting with the land
owners. Because the topic involves potential real estate purchase, that
meeting will be in executive session. She is hoping the Commissioners
can reach make a decision on the land negotiation within the next 6-8
weeks.
Jan also reported on a conversation that she and Commissioners Andy
Schwartz and Leland Christensen had with School Board President Janine
Teske and School Superintendent Pam Shea regarding the deadline for
vacating the school classroom. They got informal assurance that the
school district would be willing to extend the deadline when they see
our plan for the Alta Branch Library. They want to see a timeline before
they consider extending the lease. Obviously, this is only an informal
offer since any extension would have to be approved by the school board
in its regular, public meeting. Deb expressed some concern about informing
staff at the Alta school and library in a timely manner in order to
deal with logistics concerning programming, collection, etc.
Gayle expressed that she and others working on monetary pledges of
support in Alta are anxious to start collecting. Jan explained that
the negotiations will continue and a decision is not imminent in the
next few weeks and the final decision is up to the County Commission.
Bill suggested that checking in with the CC for current information
would be more helpful at this point in the process.
Librarian's Report
Grant Review and Approval
Dail informed the board that the library had received a $20,000 grant
from 1% for the Tetons for Phase 2 of the library solar installation
and asked the board to approve acceptance of the grant. Ann moved that
the board accept the $20,000 grant from 1% of the Tetons, Amy seconded,
all voted in favor.
Bill asked if the library had sent out solar press releases. Dail explained
that a press release went out last week announcing the solar program
at the library from 6:30-8:30 on Thursday, September 27 in the auditorium.
The library is also providing photos to Sara Mitchell at the county
for the green newsletter, Lower Valley is including photos and information
about the project in their newsletter and The Planet is running an article
with photos.
Library WLA Endowment Legislation Review & Approval of Letter of
Support
Dail explained that the WLA was going to try to get the library endowment
legislation approved in this year's legislative session in Cheyenne
in February. Last year the bill passed the Senate but did not get out
of committee in the House. This was due primarily to time constraints.
The WLA Legislative Committee is planning a more grass roots approach
this year and is asking all library boards, foundation boards, and county
commissions to sign the resolution of support. The committee will also
be requesting help in contacting representatives during the session.
Anne moved that the TCL board sign the resolution and support the legislation,
Amy seconded, all voted in favor.
Deb gave a short report on the WLA conference, especially the new library
in Cheyenne. We want it! Lots of new ideas-separate teen zone-new technologies-convenience
of use for patrons-all self checkout-a great youth and teen area on
the 2nd floor and many more innovative services and spaces. The Laramie
County Library web site has photos if the board would like to have a
look.
Deb also reported on our phenomenal summer reading programs, which
smashed all records this year. She and the Youth Services department
felt setting reading goals made a huge difference for the kids this
year.
Financials
Monthly Report
As it is early in the fiscal year, there was not much to report. Bill
asked a few questions about the cash reserve and Deb said that so far
a two month reserve had worked for the library.
Approve Vouchers
Bill had some questions about the statistics. Deb explained that the
people counter had broken several times and been replaced so the numbers
were off. Alta stats are pretty consistent since the hours of operation
had to be changed.
Anne moved to approve the vouchers, Amy seconded, all voted in favor.
Facilities Planning
Main Library Discussion
The board had a short discussion of the library facilities planning
with regard to getting on the SPET ballot in 2008. There was some concern
that the time was very short in which to get a proposal prepared in
time for the application process. Deb pointed out that collection was
running ahead of schedule and the Town and the County could start organizing
for the next ballot as early as January, 2008. The jail will definitely
be on the ballot and will require 30 million dollars. One other smaller
project will probably be included to provide more of a "feel good"
project for the ballot to encourage people to vote. There was some discussion
that the library may require too much money to be included as the town
and the county currently try to hold the collection time to no more
than four years. Bill shared that he had had some conversations with
the town that were very positive about the library being on the ballot.
The town thought the library met a huge community need and represented
a bigger cross section of the community than any other entity.
Executive Session-Personnel Matter
Amy moved that the board go into executive session to discuss a personnel
matter, Patricia seconded, all voted in favor.
At approximately 6:15PM, Amy moved that the library board meeting be
continued to Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and be held in the conference
room from noon-1:30PM. The purpose will be to continue the executive
session concerning the personnel matter. Patricia seconded, all voted
in favor.
Dail Barbour
Administrative Assistant to the Library Board
Approved 10/18/07
Press
Room