LAB Minutes 06/29/2011Naples, Florida, June 29, 2011
101 2!jli;
BY........................
LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date at the
Headquarters Library at 11:20 a.m. in order to hold their Annual Meeting. The following
members were present:
CHAIR: Doris J. Lewis
VICE - CHAIR: Loretta Murray
Fiala
Carla Grieve
Hiller
Shelley Z. Lieb
Henning
Connie Bettinger - Hennink
Coyle
Coletta 7
ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Matthes, Library Director
Judith Kraycik, Administrative Assistant
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The main purpose of this meeting was to select new officers for the coming year. Mrs. Lewis
opened the nominations. Mrs. Bettinger-Hennink made a motion to re -clect Mrs. Lewis as
Chairman. Mrs. Lieb seconded the motion and all in favor. Mrs. Bettinger- Hennink made a
motion to re -elect Mrs. Murray as Vice - Chairman and herself as secretary. Mrs. Lieb seconded
the motion and all in favor
OTHER BUSINESS - None
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Lieb made a motion to adjourn seconded by Mrs. Murray. All in favor and the meeting was
adjourned at 11/21 a.m.
Approved by: C
Doris J. Lewis, Chair
Library Advisory Board
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Naples, Florida, June 29, 2011
LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in regular session
at 10:00 a.m. in the Headquarters Library with the following members present:
CHAIR: Doris J. Lewis 3 (N �° v
VICE- CHAIR: Loretta Murray
Carla Grieve S E P 2 6 1011
Rochelle Lieb
Connie Bettinger - Hennink BY ........................
ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Matthes, Library Director
Judith Kraycik, Administrative Assistant
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of May 18, 2011. A few minor
corrections were noted. Mrs. Lieb moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Mrs. Bettinger-
Hennink and the motion was carried unanimously that the minutes be approved as corrected.
LITERACY PROGRAM REPORT
As Roberta Reiss was not in attendance, there was no Literacy Program Report. Fiala
Hiller �y
REPORT OF OFFICERS - None Henning
Coyle
COMMUNICATIONS
Coletta
Mrs. Grieve stated that she has thanked her contact at the Naples Daily News for the great
placement of the new article that she is writing for the paper about the Library. She said he
responded that he could not guarantee the same placement every time. In addition, Mrs. Grieve
stated that on the Friends of the Library website there will be a link to the articles so that people
who are away for the summer can access them when they return to Naples. She also stated she has
completed two additional articles, one on the Novelist and one on Genealogy.
Mrs. Matthes suggested that a future article could address the convenience of downloadable books.
So many seasonal residents are mailing books and other materials back to us that they checked out
when they were here and the Library is overwhelmed with the volume of these returns. It was
suggested that readers could be invited to share their experiences with books -on -tape and this
information could contribute to future articles. Mrs. Grieve added that people could have unique
experiences with any facet of the library.
Mrs. Grieve mentioned that another article about the library appeared in today's edition of the
Naples Daily News. It was addressing the problem of budget cuts and how those are affecting the
library and library collections and services.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Employee of the Month — June
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Mrs. Bettinger - Hennink nominated Catherine Cowser for Employee of the Month for June. Mrs.
Murray seconded the motion and all in favor.
Mission Statement -final
• Mrs. Matthes stated that after the Library Advisory Board had approved the mission statement at the
May meeting, she asked the branch managers and they wordsmithed it. A slight modification was
made which involved rearranging the verbiage. The revised statement is:
"To provide and promote Library information and sustain services that enlighten the minds and
enrich the lives of community residents and visitors of all ages."
Mrs. Matthes asked for comments. The members were supportive of the changes.
Mrs. Grieve made a motion to accept the revised mission statement. Mrs. Bettinger- Hennink
seconded the motion and all in favor.
Budget
• Mrs. Matthes stated that at the budget workshop with the Board of County Commissioners, there
were no questions regarding the Library budget.
• As a result of the State Legislature mandating that all Florida government employees pay three
percent of their salary toward their retirement, the County budget went down four percent instead of
the requested three percent. This means the County will have a small amount of extra money.
Several options are being considered as to how that money should be used but no decision has yet
been made.
• The millage rate will be set by the BCC at the July meeting. The millage rate cannot increase but it
can decrease.
• The Sheriff submitted a budget that met the budget guidance which the BCC greatly appreciated.
NEW BUSINESS
Internet Usage Policy
Mrs. Matthes stated that last month she reported a problem with a patron using the internet inappropriately.
Within the past month there was another incident at the Marco Island Branch. A patron reported a problem
of inappropriate behavior of another patron to staff. The staff member attempted to locate the patron who
caused the problem but was unsuccessful. The staff member intended to complete an incident report.
However, the incident was reported to the Sheriff's Office by the patron. A Deputy arrived on the scene and
proceeded to investigate. A problem arose when the Sheriff's Office wanted to obtain information regarding
who was using the computer. According to state law, public library records are confidential. As a result, we
could not provide the information to the police. Mrs. Matthes told the police that they needed a court order
to obtain the records and they decided not to pursue the issue. Because of this issue and other similar issues,
Mrs. Matthes is going to request that the County Attorney's Office review and possibly update the internet
usage policy. The question was asked whether the laws prohibiting sexual predators from being near schools
or daycare centers also apply to libraries. Mrs. Matthes stated they do not. As a result, staff tries to be
observant of any unusual behavior in or around the library and reports any suspicious behavior to the proper
authorities. Also under consideration is the installation of cameras at various points in the libraries. The
question was asked whether Mrs. Matthes has obtained an estimate on the codling cameras at all mflo!�is!a
g louis!Q the libraries. She s�W%1% has and it would c8� ouisi atel $3 50
ei;aio� w! � 1` y 03$`5AW'9`! ' and wouldlb @!3 euuop
lboordinated by tttlu�(}�9'c-6urity Departments ou d she decide to go forward with this. A member asked
if the Board sho���te�� t} �y o #� "00--%sIQ 4DCWGff discussion it was
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decided to delay a vote until more information is provided regarding the process. The question was asked if
someone is trespassed from one library, can they use another library. Mrs. Matthes responded it depends on
how and why the trespass was issued. A comment was made that wireless access would still be available
outside the building. Mrs. Matthes stated that wireless access is also monitored.
Landscape Headquarters
• Mrs. Matthes reported that the landscaping and fountain renovation have been separated into two
different projects. This eliminates the need to hire a general contractor.
• Some of the more mature trees need to be removed because the roots are damaging the pavers and
the roof.
• At some point in the future a plumber and a fountain specialist will be hired to change or replace the
fountain.
Part -time hours changes
• Due to vacant positions and employee illness, it has been requested to increase the amount of hours
our part -time employees work.
• We had permission to hire three temporary library assistants to help with the summer programs.
Only two were hired and one of those has reduced her hours to Saturdays only because she has
secured a full -time position elsewhere.
• Currently two full -time positions are currently being advertised.
• We will initiate the hiring of winter season employees early this year in order to ensure they are on
board on the desired date.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Mrs. Bettinger - Hennink stated that many people do not know that the library offers more than just
books. She discovered this during a conversation with a co- worker. Mrs. Matthes asked if she could
send a general e-mail regarding the services the library offers to all Sheriff s Department employees.
Mrs. Betting - Hennink responded that she would look in to making that happen.
Mrs. Lewis asked if anything had been decided about the purchase of Nooks for the library. Mrs.
Matthes responded that the Friends of the Library are still considering this project. It will most
likely be addressed again in the fall.
• The question was asked if the keyboards of the library computers are cleaned. Mrs. Matthes stated
the staff in each building spend some time taking care of that. If we could get volunteers to do that,
it would be a great help.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
• Mrs. Matthes will be attending a conference entitled `The Future of the Book' in Tallahassee which
addresses the advent of electronic media and its effect on libraries.
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As a result of a number of staff meetings of the Public Services Division where the state of employee
morale was addressed, it was decided that the library would set up training options for all Public
Services employees in the library training lab.
o Employees would have access to a computer to take on -line classes any time the library is
open.
o In addition, library staff is establishing a list of classes that they can teach such as using a
Nook or using our databases.
o A member asked if the Board is eligible to use this service and Mrs. Matthes responded that
they are.
Circulation histories for each library were distributed to the members.
o Preliminary population figures have been received by the County. These figures show that
the population of Florida has increased but that previous estimated figures went down.
o Circulation figures continue to decrease but this could be explained by the fact that there are
less people around, operating hours for the libraries have been reduced and fewer books are
being purchased, in particular less best sellers.
o The opening of South Regional Library has affected the circulation of the branch libraries,
primarily East Naples.
o Mrs. Matthes stated that five of the branch libraries are not open on Saturdays which also
affects circulation.
o Complaints are received from the public because these libraries are closed on Saturday but
due to economic conditions, we do not have the staff to work at these locations on Saturdays.
Mrs. Matthes also stated that a number of years ago a study had been done and it was found
that when the book budget increased circulation figures increased as well.
• Mrs. Matthes stated that when the library became automated back in the 1990's and reports were
available to show circulation figures, DVD rentals were very high. At that time, rentals were for two
days. After changing the length of time for a DVD rental to five days, DVD circulation figures went
down considerably. Currently 20 books are checked out in comparison to any one DVD.
REPORT OF THE FRIENDS
• Mrs. Grieve reported on the following items:
o The newspaper articles will be available on the Friends website
o Strategic Planning session will be taking place in the fall
o The reduction of staff in the Friends office
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board, Mrs. Lieb moved to
adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Bettinger Hennink and carried unanimously the meeting was adjourned
at 11:19 a.m.
Approved by:
Doris J. Lewis
Chair, Library Advisory Board 1/
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