HomeMy WebLinkAboutLBMinutes_2008_11_04BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
MINUTES
The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library met Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at
5:30 p.m. in the Historical Room of the Brookings Public Library.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Amber Ohm, Larry Rogers, and Gloria Thvedt
OTHERS PRESENT: Elvita Landau, Cathy Enlow, Peg Whalen and Allyn Frerichs
Vice Chair Amber Ohm called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Larry Rogers moved to approve
the agenda with the adjustment of moving item #7 before Item #6. Glory Thvedt seconded. Motion
approved.
Larry Rogers moved to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2008 minutes as presented.
Amber Ohm seconded. Motion approved.
BILLS AND SALARIES – After reviewing the list of bills, Larry Rogers moved to pay all bills and
salaries. Gloria Thvedt seconded. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT – The Board reviewed the City Financial Report. Areas of concern are
Equipment Maintenance, Janitor Supplies, and Utilities. The Finance Office will be doing a budget
amendment which will add money to the Utilities line item. The Library should end the year within the
bottom line budget.
PRESENTATION ON THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM BY ALLYN FRERICHS – Allyn addressed the Board
as a representative of the Children’s Museum and Cultural Center and Downtown Association regarding
the space west of the library. The lot was purchased by Dale Larson and donated to the City. The
building will be torn down and a green space designed, which will be a visual link to the Children’s
Museum to the north. Tentative plans are to have a one way street in front of the Museum and
rearrange the parking lot for straight on parking running north and south in the Senior Citizen’s/City
Parking Lot. Allyn and the Board discussed the possibility of the Library Parking Lot having two‐way
traffic instead of one‐way. The outdoor book drop would complicate this change. Lot lights would also
need to be moved. Allyn suggested that Elvita talk to the City Engineer’s Office for input on the best
design for the Library’s parking lot. There will be further discussion as plans for the Children’s Museum
are finalized.
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT – Items of note are:
• Starting November 5, we will be offering afternoon programs for school age children on
Wednesday afternoons.
• The Library Staff is participating in the SD 2.0 Challenge. This program is sponsored by the State
Library and includes learning about blogs, RSS feeds, and more.
• The Brookings Optimists have donated $500 for microphones for the puppet theater and
children’s books.
• The Friends of the Library Book Sale is scheduled for Feb 19‐22, 2009. At their last meeting they
gave the library $3700 for items on the current wish list.
COFFEE SHOP PROPOSAL – Elvita reported that Harsha Mistry has returned the Coffee Shop
contract with suggested changes/ clarifications made by her and her lawyer. Gloria Thvedt moved to
take the suggested revisions to the City attorney for review and to move forward with the contract.
Larry Rogers seconded. Motion approved.
STRATEGIC PLANNING – The Strategic Planning Committee met October 16 and reviewed and
revised the 2004 vision statement. They also identified strengths and weaknesses of the city and agreed
on roles the library could play in filling areas of need. The eight areas were later discussed by the staff
using the SWOT process (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). Elvita presented the
information to the Board for their input. The Board quickly went over the information and would take it
home for more study. Their comments will be sent back to Elvita to include for the next Strategic
Planning meeting (Nov. 20).
BOARD EDUCATION – Tabled until the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, December 9, at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elvita Landau, Director