CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Jane Callahan. Also attending were Dan Berndt, Randy Demmer, John Hunziker, Phil Karsell, Mark Neville, Harry Swedlund, Joanne Swenson, and Matt Wohlers.
Also attending were Audrey Betcher, Library Director; Carrie Farrow, Director of Communications; and Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
Jane expressed the Board's concern for Sue Reinke whose husband has ALS.
MINUTES
Motion by Joanne Swenson, seconded by John Hunziker to approve the October 25, 2006, meeting minutes as submitted. Motion carried.
LIBRARY BOARD AND DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Audrey stated that staff and the Library Board have been working on the 2007 budget which will be acted on by the City Council on December 18th. We expect a 5% increase, plus a couple of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) requests. One CIP project is for a sorting system that would check items in automatically as they are returned. This system should provide savings in terms of staff and also time in getting items back to the shelves.
Olmsted County will be providing their full share of funding in 2007.
A major project to be undertaken in 2007 is merchandising. A need for this type of project was identified in the library's strategic plan. The library is set up for those that come in looking for a specific item; we do not serve those who come in to browse nearly as well. The Library Board reviewed a multi-year plan for merchandising. The goal in 2007 is to significantly improve access to the collection for browsers. Other libraries that have implemented similar merchandising strategies have seen circulation increase as much as 20%.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy: has not met.
Finance: The committee spent considerable time discussing the Endowment Fund proceeds and 2007 budget. Should the goal be to reinvest a majority of the proceeds in order to grow the fund or to make a certain percentage available to the library each year? How do we handle it if the library requests funding for a specific project? The current policy is that the Foundation determines the amount of Endowment Fund proceeds to be given to the library each year and the Library Board determines how the funds will be spent. The committee will continue to discuss the philosophy of how to handle these issues.
For 2007 (2006 proceeds), the committee recommends that 5% of the Endowment Fund ($39,971) be allocated to the library and 2% ($15,988) be allocated for Foundation expenses. Motion carried.
The 2007 Foundation budget will be submitted for Board approval at the January meeting.
Development: has not met.
Special Events: Jane noted that we are in full gear for Wit, Wisdom & Wine to be held Saturday, January 13, 2007. Invitations will be mailed out tomorrow. Additional copies are available for Board members to distribute to their friends and co-workers.
As in past years, we are looking for items for the silent auction.
A new item this year is a raffle. Kathy solicited and received a donation of two round trip airline tickets from AirTran Airlines as the prize for the raffle. Raffle tickets are $5 each. The raffle drawing will take place at Wit, Wisdom & Wine.The Events Committee is also in the beginning planning stages of a summer fundraising event: an Amazing Race. The event is based on the Amazing Race TV program. The goal is to get 30 teams of 4 people each with an entrance fee of $400 per team. Teams have to perform tasks and get clues for each leg of the race. We will try and get underwriting and sponsorships. The committee is hopeful that the amount raised will be comparable to Wit, Wisdom & Wine, but will appeal to a different demographic of the community.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The nominating committee puts forth the following slate of officers for 2007: Jane Callahan, President; Mike McNeil, Vice-President; Harry Swedlund, Treasurer; Matt Wohlers, Secretary.
Mark Neville moved, Joanne Swenson seconded, to accept the slate of officers for 2007 as presented, Motion carried.
Jane noted that Ed Haskell and Joanne Swenson have reached term limits and are going off the Board at the end of 2006. They were presented a certificate and a small gift as tokens of appreciation for their service.
New members coming on the Board in 2007 are Phil Henoch, Judy Kereakos, Brian Murphy, and Ed Hruska. We will also be asking Calvin Guyer and Dave Marris to join.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Swenson
Secretary