HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2010 Regular MeetingFairhope Public Library
Minutes of Board Meeting March 15, 2010
Present : President Martin Lanaux, Erin Hendricks, Amy Thompson , Frida Ward , Director Tamara Dean
and City Council Member Dan Stankoski.
1. Meeting was called to order at 5 :41 pm .
2. Tamara introduced Genie Courtney Jones as the newly hired Youth Services Director. Genie
scored well over the 20 point assessment matrix Tamara created for the interview process .
Tamara also noted that Genie has a Masters in Library Science and ample experience in libraries
around the state -including the start up of libraries in three schools .
3. Tamara reviewed the employee report and noted very few sick days .
4. Tamara discussed the statistical report with total circulation for the month at 17,282 items. New
borrowers since the library's opening number 22,761, with nearly 17,000 patrons using the
library in some capacity for the month of February . The daily average was 736 patrons per day.
Ten story times were held and 17 computer classes.
5. Tama r a reviewed the library's financial reports. The Friends have donated $20,000 this year. An
additional $8000 was received from an individual estate . The grant money for the Teen Services
program Tamara received last year has begun to trickle in, allowing the department to install Wii
programs for teens and a Mac computer. Graphic artist Garreth Hines will visit the Teen Services
department in June for instruction in graphic design. Tamara noted the strong assistance of
Library employee Jillian Crochet in developing the new programs for teens. A pizza party was
held in conjunction with the Tom Sawyer "Big Read " with banjo music and theme dress.
6. Dan encouraged Tamara to look at her midyear budget and review the City to avoid "surprises ."
7 . The cost of copies was discussed. Black and white copies at ten cents per page are currently a
"red ink" item for the Library. At that rate, Tamara noted the Library would face a $13,000
shortfall in the copy department over the 36 month life of the machine's lease . Tamara
reviewed research of the cost of copies at other libraries and public locations such as Post Net.
The board discussed raising the copy fee to $.20 -with the understanding more affordable
printing options were offered in downtown Fairhope nearby . Amy moved that the library raise
the price of copies and printed pages to $.20 cents. Erin seconded . The motion was approved .
8 . Martin reviewed the list of Library Foundation members and reported their enthusiastic
approach to their new posts . The "Hoot Scoot" run is underway with strong PR and community
development. Some $6000 in sponsorships has been raised.
9. A motion was made and seconded for adjournment at 6:14 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Greer Thompson
Fairhope Library Board Secretary