HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-18 - BLT - 01 Draft Minutes of Mar 21 2016Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2016
Page 1
DRAFT
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
Board of Library Trustees
Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2016 – 5:00 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – Chair King called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL – Roll call by Administrative Support Specialist Elaine McMillion
Trustees Present: Chair Jerry King; Vice Chair John Prichard; Secretary Jill Johnson-
Tucker; Board Member Robyn Grant
Trustee Absent: Board Member Janet Ray (Excused)
Staff Present: Library Services Director Tim Hetherton; Library Services Manager Dave
Curtis; Administrative Support Specialist Elaine McMillion; Support
Services Coordinator Melissa Kelly; Branch and Youth Services
Coordinator Debbie Walker; Adult Services Coordinator Natalie
Basmaciyan; Balboa Branch Librarian Evelyn Rogers; Librarian II Melissa
Hartson
III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC – Chair King
IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair King opened the public comments portion of the meeting.
Jim Mosher referenced the Director’s report and mentioned a City staff-prepared survey and
suggested that the Board participate in same. He referenced the expense report and
expenditures through March 1, 2016, and suggested they may be expenditures through an
earlier period. Additionally, he commented on an item scheduled for the upcoming City
Council meeting relative to increasing charges for sewer use. He reported that the City has
been exempting the Library from that fee and stated it is possible that Council will change
that direction.
Chair King closed public comments.
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Minutes of the February 16, 2016, Board of Library Trustees Meeting
B. Consent Calendar Items
1. Customer Comments
Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2016
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Monthly review of evaluations of library services through suggestions and requests
received from customers.
2. Library Activities
Monthly update of library events, services and statistics.
3. Expenditure Status Report
Monthly expenditure status of the library’s operating expenses; services, salaries and
benefits by department.
4. Board of Library Trustees Monitoring List
List of agenda items and dates for monthly review of projects by the Board of Library
Trustees.
Discussion followed regarding the Monitoring List and the election of Board Trustee Officers
being held in September last year. It was suggested to move it to July 18, 2016.
Motion made by Board Member Grant and seconded by Secretary Johnson-Tucker and
carried (3-0-1-1) to approve the minutes of February 16, 2016, as presented, and carried (4-
0-0-1) to approve the Consent Calendar items.
AYES: Grant; Johnson-Tucker; King
NOES: None
ABSTENTION: Prichard (Minutes only)
ABSENT: Ray
VI. CURRENT BUSINESS
A. Items for Review
5. Balboa Branch Library Report
Branch Librarian Evelyn Rogers will present the annual update on Balboa Branch
activities.
Balboa Branch Librarian Evelyn Rogers provided details of the Balboa Branch addressing
operating hours, staffing, unique features and collections and goals in terms of facility
maintenance.
In response to Chair King’s inquiry regarding duplication of nautical maps, Branch Librarian
Rogers reported speaking with a member of the public prior to this meeting regarding the
possibility of moving the nautical collection to the Central Library. She reported that only
back issues of periodicals were moved to the Central Library.
Branch Librarian Rogers addressed circulation and reference services and reference
questions. She commented on plans to move collections and moving all non-fiction into the
same room. Additionally, she reported on checkouts, program attendance including
children’s and special programs, summer reading, a comic book program for older children
and collection maintenance.
Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2016
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Chair King reported there was great press coverage in the local newspaper on Library
programs.
Branch and Youth Services Coordinator Debbie Walker reported that a needs assessment
group has been formed for the Balboa Branch and that the first task is to produce a survey
similar to the one created for the Corona del Mar Branch. The survey will run from the
summer through Thanksgiving and will be available via hardcopy and online. It will also
include an informal log of questions asked.
Discussion followed regarding developing the survey questions and making the survey short
and simple. Members of the Board indicated interest in learning what the Balboa Branch
lacks and the effect on use when the library is “freshened up”. Ensuing discussion pertained
to looking at demographics and projections, the need for a community room, and the
average number of daily users.
6. Media Lab Update
Adult Services Coordinator Natalie Basmaciyan will report on Media and Sound Lab
usage, resources, and management.
Adult Services Coordinator Natalie Basmaciyan presented a report addressing hosting
open-house events for increased use of the Media and Sound Lab, the addition of a second
VHS conversion station in response to direct customer feedback, classes held in the Lab,
programming for evening classes and Lynda.com based classes and introduction of the
Tech Toys collection. She reported that newly promoted Librarian Alex Jenkins, will host a
class the end of May, at the Central Library on designing and creating your own comic book.
She added that the Media Lab has been opened to City and staff for training and noted
wanting to attract both internal and external customers.
In response to Board Member Prichard’s question, Adult Services Coordinator Basmaciyan
addressed use of the Media Lab as well as trends. She added that the Sound Lab is
booked every day and commented on the possibility of shortening reservations from four
hours to two hours to accommodate more people.
Discussion followed regarding signage, brochures and branding, well-attended open
houses, volunteers, connections with open house attendees, and tracking usage of the
Media and Sound Lab.
7. Library Material Selection and Downloadable Services
Librarian II Melissa Hartson will provide the annual update on Collection
Development activities.
Librarian II Melissa Hartson provided an update on Collection Development activities
including responsibilities, Collection Development policies, selection based on value and
need, collections unique to each library location, public requests, resources, professional
journals, meeting community needs, maintaining balance within the collection, inter-library
loans, evaluation of donated materials and staff collaboration. Librarian II Hartson
addressed the Library’s holds ratio, selection of digital and downloadable materials which
includes eBooks and downloadable audio books, and working within the budget. She
reported on vendors and purchasing, and de-selection of materials, which involves
evaluating and determining what to remove from the collection and book disposal/recycling
services.
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March 21, 2016
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Secretary Johnson-Tucker commended staff for the quality of the report and asked
regarding the circulation process and transfers from other branches.
Brief discussion followed regarding big books for little readers.
Chair King opened public comments.
Jim Mosher commented on Library policies being available on the Library’s website but
noted that it is not indicated whether the policy was reviewed and approved by the Board
and that other policies are not listed. He suggested the Board review the matter from time
to time. He addressed the de-selection policy and opined that staff cannot know how
reference materials are used or not used. He commented on the benefits of reviewing
policies of other libraries, the California Digital Library, interlibrary loans and the possibility of
working with other library systems.
Chair King closed public comments.
8. Corona del Mar Branch Project Update
Library Services Director Tim Hetherton will provide an update of recent activities
pertaining to the planning of the new Branch facility in Corona del Mar.
Library Services Director Tim Hetherton reported that the branch will be closed in August
and that construction of the new building should start in September. Staff will establish a
committee to facilitate movement of the collections. Additionally, he reported that the
Friends of the Library will hold a sale at the branch and hoped that the funds will help
purchase a branch-opening collection. He reported that people have donated money to the
Foundation with direction that the money be used for this branch.
In response to an inquiry from the Board, Library Services Director Hetherton noted that
Friends of the Corona del Mar Library have contributed funds to the Library Foundation.
Library Services Director Hetherton continued with a status update of the Corona del Mar
Library and next steps. He reported that during the closure, children’s programs will be held
at the City’s Community Youth Center and Grant Howald Park, and that the concierge
service at OASIS will be maintained.
Discussion followed regarding 501(c)(3) status for donations, the proposed layout and
installing more outlets and private carrels.
Library Services Director Hetherton reported that the reopening should occur in late spring
or early summer of 2017.
9. Donations to the Library
Staff recommends that the Board of Library Trustees accept a check in the amount
of $15,480 from the NBPL Foundation for restricted disbursement, and another
check in the amount of $200 for the Mariners Branch Library's collection.
Library Services Director Hetherton recommended accepting the donation of $15,480 from
the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation.
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March 21, 2016
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Board Member Grant commented on the part of the donation restricted for religious or
spiritual purposes.
Secretary Johnson-Tucker commented on enhancing the current collection.
Librarian II Melissa Hartson stated that the funds, relative to religious and spiritual purposes
will be used for a broad purpose versus purchasing specific titles.
Motion made by Board Member Grant and seconded by Vice Chair Prichard and carried (4-
0-0-1) to accept a check in the amount of $15,480 from the NBPL Foundation for restricted
disbursement, and another check in the amount of $200 for the Mariners Branch Library's
collection.
AYES: Grant; Johnson-Tucker; King, Prichard
NOES: None
ABSTENTION: None
ABSENT: Ray
B. Monthly Reports
10. Library Services
Report of Library issues regarding services, customers and staff.
Library Services Director Hetherton announced the second part of a retreat that was
conducted last fall, to be held in May. He addressed established goals and noted that staff
has been implementing them. Additionally, he reported wanting to conduct a broad
customer service survey and stated he will present it to the Board in May and in concert with
the retreat. He encouraged Trustees to attend the April 12, 2016, City Council meeting
when Council will present a proclamation for National Library Week. He noted that he will
send an email reminder to the Board.
11. Friends of the Library Liaison Report
Trustee update of the most recently attended Friends of the Library Board meeting.
Chair King noted no report at this time.
12. Library Foundation Liaison Report
Trustee update of the most recently attended Library Foundation Board meeting.
Secretary Jill Johnson-Tucker reported she sent out a request for someone to attend the
meeting as her replacement.
Library Services Director Hetherton reported that he attended and noted that a new
Programming Director, Susan Groux, was hired. He added that she has experience in
grant-writing and will free up Tracy Keys so that she may focus more on fundraising.
Discussion followed regarding expanding programming and whether an additional staff
member will be required.
Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2016
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13. Witte Lectures Committee Liaison Report
Trustee update of the most recently attended Witte Lectures Committee's monthly
meeting.
Vice Chair Prichard reported the committee continues to do good work and that Sherman
Alexi was the speaker in March. He added that David Ignatious will be the speaker in April
and has sold out. He reported that the committee will focus on speakers for the 2017
Lecture Series and the topics to be addressed.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of changing the venue.
VII. BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH
MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION,
ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)] - None
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Jim Mosher commented on the Library Foundation’s fundraising, election of officers to occur
in July, according to the By-laws, the importance of tomorrow’s City Council meeting as well
as the April 12th meeting, and review of the infrastructure element of the General Plan.
Chair King commented on City Council meetings, allocation of staff to the various
committees and cutting expenses.
Support Services Coordinator Melissa Kelly announced the Gift of Literacy Luncheon in
June and reported that tickets are now on sale.
IX. ADJOURNMENT – 6:26 p.m.
Submitted by: _________________________________________
Approval of Minutes