Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-26 LBOT MinutesBoard of Library Trustees Minutes: April 26, 2018 1 PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MINUTES Palm Springs Public Library April 26, 2018 City Hall Large Conference Room 1. CALL TO ORDER President Willison called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL PRESENT Harry Courtright Yes Ashley Dunphy No Linda Futterer Yes Ed McBride Yes Ron Willison Yes STAFF PRESENT: Jeannie Kays, Director of Library Services. CITY STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Brock, Library Operations and Collection Manager; Julie Warren, Library Services and Public Relations Manager. PUBLIC PRESENT: Jacque Wachs, Peter Rittenhouse, Councilmember Lisa Middleton, and Councilmember Christy Holstege. 3. POSTING OF AGENDA: Jeannie Kays reported that the agenda was posted on the Library’s website and at City Hall on or before April 19, 2018. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF: The minutes of the February 22, 2018 meeting were accepted. 5. ADDED STARTERS: None 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 7. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Futterer gave the report. 8. REPORT FROM FOPSL LIAISON: Jacque Wachs gave the report. Their annual meeting was at the Gloria Swanson estate on Sunday, March 25. The Friends are focusing on building up memberships and increasing their social media presence. Book sales in the Library are increasing due to the expanded book sale area in the Library. 9. LEGISLATIVE ACTION 9. A. Main Library Renovation The Library Board is in agreement to put thoughts of a Library renovation into abeyance until the idea of a new building is explored. The cost to renovate the current building would probably cost more than a new building. Treasurer Futterer suggested we wait until the strategic plan is completed. Councilmember Middleton said that our current library is an iconic building that achieved the needs at the time but that we have to look at something else. She agrees that renovation is more expensive and a slower process. The cost of renovating or building a new library is very high and the City would need substantial philanthropy to make it ha ppen. One thing that has been discussed is doing something in conjunction with College of the Desert. She said that College of the Desert has a $240 million budget for the Palm Springs campus. The first step would be to see if College of the Desert is open to having a conversation with the City to see if Board of Library Trustees Minutes: April 26, 2018 2 that is a direction in which we want to go. Councilmember Holstege is on both the Library subcommittee and the College of the Desert subcommittee so she will bring this up to City Council to get the okay to speak with College of the Desert. Trustee McBride shared where we are at in our Strategic Plan process. We have four responses to the RFPs, the proposals are being reviewed, and the procurement department will make a selection after May 17, 2018. The plan is to start the strategic plan process in the fall. The councilmembers will take this to City Council so they can weigh in on the discussion and form a subcommittee if needed; they suggest the Library Board focus on what we need in a new building. MOTION: (Courtright/McBride, 4-0) To put in abeyance any plans to renovate the current library building. 9. B. Library Fee Updates President McBride and Director Kays reported; the City has updated their fees by 2.5% so some of our fees have gone up. We are proposing to go fine free in the new fiscal year. Currently 23% of youth accounts are blocked and 14% of adults are blocked due to late fines alone; no lost items. The Library brings in more money in printing fees then overdue fines. Items would still be marked lost after 30 days overdue and customers will be billed for the cost of the item and a processing fee. Damaged items and missing pieces will still have fees. Trustee Courtright said it is best to monitor it to make sure items are being returned. MOTION: (Courtright/Willison, 4-0) To approve the Library Fee changes. 9. C. Library Policy Changes Director Kays reported; some of the language has been changed, added an anti -bullying policy, added a digital collections access policy, and added the Library Atrium as a rental facility. These policies also apply to the Welwood Library. MOTION: (Courtright/Futterer, 4-0) To approve the Library Policy changes. 9. D. Main Library Art Sculpture No update; we have not heard if the local vendor has evaluated the piece yet. 9. E. Library Board Bylaws No update; still being reviewed by the City Attorney. 9. F. Welwood Patio-Landscape Historian Report President Willison reported; the report does not seem to include anything that will change the plans. Treasurer Futterer believes we need to focus on what the patio will actually be used for. The three needs she sees are: the completion of the ADA sidewalk, functional gates at the east and west sides of the patio, and safety for city staff and visitors. She believes the overgrown trees should be removed and if we put in new trees we need to think about water and the mess the tree can make. She supports the idea of keeping the patio plain and simple, possibly putting ficus trees in front of the air conditioner. President Willison said that at this point he does not want to make any changes to the plan because that would cause more delays. The next HSPB subcommittee meeting is May 8th. The next step is getting the HSPB subcommittee and the Welwood Patio subcommittee together for a meeting. Board of Library Trustees Minutes: April 26, 2018 3 10. LEGISLATIVE ACTION 10. A. Report from Advocacy Committee Desert Aids Project is holding a reception for major donors in the Library Atrium on May 24 th. Palm Springs Speaks and Friends of the Palm Springs Library will have a table at the event. Palm Springs Speaks will host author Andy Weir on June 7th. Tickets are available at www.palmspringsspeaks.org; $25 for general admission or $50 for VIP reception and a copy his latest book Artemis. 10. B. Report from Budget Committee No report. 10. C. Report from Buildings Committee No report. 10. D. Report from Policies/Bylaws Committee No report. 10. E. Report from Literacy ad hoc Committee No report. 10. F. Report from Strategic Planning ad hoc Committee No report. 10. G. Report from Welwood ad hoc Committee No report. 11. REPORT FROM STAFF REPRESENTATIVE  5th Annual Family Fun Fest: March 28, 10 am-12 pm.  PSPL Comic Con: May 19, 10 am-4 pm.  Outreach: o Eye on the Desert o Main Street meeting o ONE-PS meeting  Career Online High School: Launching May 1. Have 10 scholarships available for adults to get their high school diploma. Sponsored by Friends of the Palm Springs Library and a matching grant from California State Library. www.palmspringslibrary.org/diploma 12. REPORT FROM LIBRARY FOUNDATION LIAISION Peter Rittenhouse gave the report. Two foundation members resigned due to possible conflicts with College of the Desert acquiring the Palm Springs mall location; Peter is the interim chair. They are looking to double membership by the fall with a diverse membership. Councilmember Lisa Middleton met with the Foundation as well. 13. TRUSTEE COMMENTS & REQUESTS Trustee Courtright suggested they move Library Foundation Comments up to number nine on the agenda. Treasurer Futterer praised Yrene Navarro and Scott Biegen for their work at the library. 14. ADJOURNMENT The April meeting adjourned at 4:41 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Jeannie Kays Director of Library Services