HomeMy WebLinkAboutLBMinutes_2009_02_17BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FEBRUARY 17, 2009
MINUTES
The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library met Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at
5:30 p.m. in the Historical Room of the Brookings Public Library.
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Kubal, Amber Ohm, Gloria Thvedt, and Tami Watson
OTHERS PRESENT: Elvita Landau, Cathy Enlow, Peg Whalen, Harsha Mistry, Jeff Weldon,
Cecilia Sherwin
Chair Tami Watson called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Gloria Thvedt moved that the order
of the presented agenda be changed to allow #7 (Coffee Shop Plans) to become 3b. Amber Ohm
seconded. Motion approved. Amber Ohm moved to have #10 (Public Comment on Items not on
Agenda) to 3c. John Kubal seconded. Motion carried.
Amber Ohm moved to accept the January 20, 2009 minutes as presented. John Kubal seconded.
Motion approved.
COFFEE SHOP PLANS – Elvita reported that we are waiting for the SD Department of Health’s
approval of the coffee shop plans. After that happens, the City will advertize for bids followed by the
City Council approving the contract. It appears that the earliest the coffee shop could open would be
the end of May.
The vendor of the coffee shop, Harsha Mistry, spoke to the Board about the naming of the
business. Following the discussion of names and legalities, Tami Watson moved that the name of the
coffee shop would be decided by the current vendor. John Kubal seconded. Motion approved. The
name chosen was Mango Tree Coffee Shop.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – Cecelia Sherwin, a patron of the library,
brought her concern regarding privacy in using the computer room to the Board. Since identity theft is a
threat for computer users, she felt that more privacy should be afforded those using the library’s
computers. She suggested privacy screens which she has seen used in another library. There followed a
discussion on public place use balanced against the staff being able to monitor use of the computers.
Further discussion on the subject was moved to the agenda item of Policy Review of the Internet Usage
Policy.
BILLS AND SALARIES – After the Board reviewed the bills, Tami Watson moved to pay all bills
and salaries. John Kubal seconded. Motion approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Since we are only into the second month of the year, the finances are in
order.
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT - Items of note are:
• One of the local radio stations is unable to accommodate the weekly on-air library slot,
so we are down to one radio station. (It was suggested that we put Elvita’s weekly talk
on our web site.)
• The four computer classes scheduled for February are full. We will continue to have
classes quarterly.
• Young Adult librarian, Ali Bruinsma, will be assisting the State Library with Jumpstart
Summer Reading Program sessions in February.
• Friends of the Library hold their annual book sale Feb. 20-22.
• Two units of the air handling system went down in late January. A voltage monitor will
be installed to help determine if the problems are internal or external.
• Elvita was elected Vice President/President Elect of the Mountain Plains Library
Association. This will be a 3 year commitment.
POLICY REVIEW – The Board reviewed the Internet Usage Policy. Elvita suggested that the
Mission Statement of the policy agree with the current statement and that the paragraph on attending
an orientation session on Internet use before being allowed to use the Internet be removed. Following
discussion it was suggested that the Internet Usage Agreement that patrons sign before using the
Internet be part of the Internet Usage Policy.
The Board discussed public use versus the patrons wish for privacy and the obligation of the
library staff to monitor computers for misuse. The Board felt that because we are a public facility that
privacy is not necessarily inherent.
The consensus of the Board was to send a letter to Ms Sherwin stating that the Board took the
matter under consideration but took no action. Tami Watson, as Board Chair, will draft and send the
letter.
Amber Ohm moved to approve the Internet Usage Policy as revised. Gloria Thvedt seconded.
Motion approved.
BOARD EDUCATION - moved to the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elvita Landau, Director