Roswell Public Library Board of Trustees

ROSWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING 4:00 p.m. September 27, 2012 Bondurant Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Marna Hunt, Magil Duran, Elizabeth Shamas, Judy Armstrong, and Linda Madrid MEMBERS ABSENT: Patti Bristol OTHERS PRESENT: Barbara Patterson, City Attorney; Stacye Hunter, Assistant City Manager; Savino Sanchez, City Council Library Liaison; Betty Long, Library Director; and Kay Carrasco, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Marna Hunt, President, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Members present noted. A quorum was present. MINUTES: Ms. Hunt asked if there were any corrections/additions to the minutes of the May 24, 2012 meeting. There were none. Dr. Armstrong moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Duran, and the motion passed. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Betty Long presented her written report; in addition to her written report, Ms. Long addressed other matters: • Ms. Long handed out the Annual Report, which was attached to a combination flashlight/pen. • Ms. Long distributed bookmarks with financial information regarding Bond B, the general obligation bond for libraries, which will be on the November ballot. She spoke of the important impact the funds have on the support of the Roswell Public library, as well as others in Chaves County. She reported that she’d met with Dr. Tom Burris, the new Superintendant of the RISD, to make him aware of the library and our services and programming, and to remind him of the impact of Bond B on the schools, suggesting that the PTO could help promote the issue. She also noted that she would be asking the Friends of the Library to provide more bookmarks as well as newspaper ads closer to the election. She had a limited number of bumper stickers to hand out and shared those.  Mr. Duran asked if we had a “wish list” for these funds, and Ms. Long said not specifically at this time, as we could not predict what needs might come up and the monies are to be spent over a several-year period. She did point out that the new self-check and materials security system, just installed, had been purchased in part with the 2010 GO Bond monies. Mr. Sanchez asked by what formula were the funds divided among the entities receiving them, and Ms. Long explained that there were several formulas—public libraries mostly by population served, public schools by another formula, colleges by another. • Ms. Hunt commented on how impressed she was that the Library column in the newspaper had been ongoing for 30 years. Dr. Armstrong shared an anecdote about the genesis of the project, for which she—then Judy Blome, Assistant Library Director—was the first columnist: Jack Swickard, editor of the RDR at the time, had rather grudgingly approved space in the paper for the column, but had predicted its quick demise because surely we would “run out of anything to say” in just a few months. Dr. Armstrong thought it would be very amusing to look up Mr. Swickard now, thirty years on, and point out to him that we’re still finding plenty of things to say! MID-WINTER MEETINGS: Dr. Armstrong moved to suspend regular meetings for the months of November and December, unless an urgent matter necessitated a special called meeting. Mr. Duran seconded, and the motion passed. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be October 25, 2012, then the mid-winter break, then January 24, 2013. BOARD ORIENTATION: With an excellent presentation through both powerpoint and printed materials, Ms. Long gave a very thorough orientation for the board members on the Library’s history, services, operations, current staff (including photographs), and finances. Her audience was absolutely riveted during the presentation and responded with enthusiastic applause. Ms. Long credited and commended several staff persons for their assistance in creating the powerpoint. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Hunt noted that Mr. Armijo has resigned from the board, citing the press of work obligations and frequent out of town travel. Ms. Long explained the process for appointing a new person to serve out the balance of Mr. Armijo’s term, which will end in 2014. While the board can submit names, the Mayor makes the final decision and is not obligated to choose from our list. Ms. Long reminded members that they should verify any person’s interest and willingness to serve before submitting a name, and also to include contact information. The board will discuss potential members at the October meeting. It is hoped that the appointment will be made at the November City Council meeting so that the new person may join us by the first of the year. ADJOURN- MENT: The meeting was adjourned by Ms. Hunt at 4:50pm. NEXT MEETING: October 25, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. in the Bondurant Room. Marna Hunt, President Kay Carrasco, Recording Secretary