Library Board of Trustees

Liberty Lake Municipal Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes October 18, 2018 1. The meeting was called to order by Carol Johns at 10;15 a.m. In attendance were Carol Johns, Mindy Howe, Pat Lutzenberger, Lu Embrey, Katy Allen, Jocelyn Redel, Pamela Mogen and Mike Kennedy. 2. The minutes of the September 13, 2018 meeting were approved as published. 3. Comments: None 4. Reports: a. Library Director – Pamela Mogen Pamela was called into the library to assist, so her report was abbreviated. She referred everyone to the September report, which was emailed to trustees and Katy on October 9. She reported these highlights:  The staff put in a heroic effort to offer more activities than in a typical September.  Circulation was down a bit, which was no surprise after the busy summer.  There was a big drop in downloads, which could reflect a larger trend suggesting electronic activity may have peaked. b. FOLLML – Carol Johns  Carol distributed certificates of appreciation from Friends to trustees.  Balance on hand is $14,028 + $40 in petty cash.  Halloween mini-golf will be on October 25 in the library.  Friends will be ordering new polo-style T-shirts.  Budgeting is going well, led by Betty Kennedy, and issues around the $6K designated for programs are being resolved with Jocelyn.  The Book Sale will be Nov 16 – 17. Carol is the chairperson and reports full participation in staffing each shift. There will not be a Splash ad. c. City Council – Lu Embrey  Sandra Bishop was approved as the newest member of the Board of Trustees. (Welcome Sandy!)  The retirement event at City Hall to honor Pamela was well-attended and very nice. She seemed pleased. The Liberty Lake Reads photos were displayed and elicited a lot of positive comments.  Mike Kennedy encouraged the Board to be more aggressive with requests for library funding.  Joline Messina, the disgruntled patron who complained to Pamela, Katy and Mindy, angrily presented the same concerns about library service and materials to the Council. Note that she has also posted her views on Facebook.  The LLPD actively collaborates with adjacent agencies such as the Spokane Valley PD.   All utility taxes (about $1 million) go to roads.  A fully-functioning Street Department is now in place.  A community effort to name the new high school will be publicized. d. Foundation – Pat Lutzenberger  Foundation officers met with an attorney to consider next steps.  They wish to keep enough money in the budget to fund actions needed to retain legal status but likely give the balance to the library, directly or through Friends. By- laws will influence their decisions. e. City Administrator – Katy Allen  $40K is proposed in the 2019 capital budget for a library needs assessment. o Jocelyn is targeting the assessment for late winter/early spring, after she reviews the City’s strategic plan. o We are encouraged to help Jocelyn lobby for the funding now, perhaps increasing the amount to $50K. There was discussion of targeting the Nov 6 Council meeting. An Oct 25 Board meeting was proposed to create talking points. o The assessment should cover needs beyond space. Jocelyn will compile the components of the project.  The 2019 library budget figure from RJ is $518,314. This may be re-evaluated and possibly adjusted mid-year based on tax revenues. Also, more funds may be available when the TIF expires. Katy and RJ will monitor and keep Jocelyn in the loop.  The library’s capital budget is about $110K, which may increase. The needs assessment costs will come from this budget, as well as estimated building improvements. Money will not be lost if it is not spent in the year.  Katy is recommending a 50 cent per hour increase plus a 2% step increase for all City employees.  Katy recommends Jocelyn and the Board define the needs and wants for the library to deliver to the community, identify the costs, and then ask the City for increases over the year if needed. (Desired outcomes + strategies to get there, including priorities and costs.)  The Board and Jocelyn should actively report results to the Council as part of regular reporting.  Note that the Council needs to approve any part-time to full-time adjustments. (Two have been proposed by Pamela.) 5. Ongoing Business a. There will be a book-club-style event at the library on Oct 29 at 7:00pm to discuss the first Liberty Lake Reads selection, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Carol requested cookie donations. b. There will be a welcome lunch for Jocelyn, with trustees invited, at Carol’s home on Oct 30. (Thank you, Carol, for your generous hosting.)  6. New Business Carol Johns announced that she is resigning as of December 31, since she will be spending several months of the year away from Liberty Lake. (Regrets all around!) 7. Next meeting will be November 8 at 10:00 a.m. 8. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Submitted by Mindy Howe, Secretary