Library Board Minutes September 10, 2003

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REDWOOD CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
September 10, 2003

Trustees Present: B. James, U. Ferguson, and Z. Sweeney

Trustees Absent: K. Douglas and R. Madrigal

Staff Present: Senior Information Technology Analyst S. Bauer and Administrative Services D. Wong

Others Present: Library Services Supervisor M. McGrath, School Library Media Specialist J. Lepkowski, and SEIU Stewards M. Spore-Alhadef, K. Bicknell and K. Shields

OATH OF OFFICE
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer administered the oath of office to newly appointed Trustee Sweeney.

CALL TO ORDER
Trustee James called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm in the Small Meeting Room of the Main Library.

OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
SEIU Steward Spore-Alhadef welcomed Trustee Sweeney and introduced herself and her follow SEIU stewards, K. Bicknell and K. Shields.

MINUTES MOTION
On motion by Trustee Sweeney, seconded by Trustee Ferguson, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of August 13th.

WARRANTS MOTION
On motion by Trustee Sweeney, seconded by Trustee Ferguson, the Board unanimously approved the payment of warrants # 77836 to # 7898 and the payment of usual and necessary invoices through September 10th.

EXPENDITURES REPORTS
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer reviewed the expenditure report from July with the Board.

PRESENTATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR A NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer gave a summary of events to date and noted that the meetings, with the consultant from Hughes Perry & Associates, are scheduled for Tuesday September 16, 2003 at the main library.

On motion by Trustee Sweeney, seconded by Trustee Ferguson, the Board unanimously approved the Trustee James' offer to replace former Trustee Taviss as the second member of the Ad Hoc Committee and for Trustee Sweeney to act as an alternate anytime either Ad Hoc Committee member cannot attend a meeting. The Board may revisit this decision at a future Board meeting when all members are in attendance.

PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A NEW NONREFUNDABLE POLICY FOR ALL LOST ITEMS
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer reviewed the proposal to adopt a new nonrefundable policy for all lost items with the Board. Lib. Serv. Sup. McGrath was available to answer all the questions from the Board. She noted patrons would be informed in a timely manner and that the proposed change could be updated on the County and RCPL websites and all other RCPL advertisements (flyers, brochures, and bookmarks).

On motion by Trustee Sweeney, seconded by Trustee Ferguson, the Board unanimously approved the proposal to adopt the new nonrefundable policy for all lost items at Redwood City Public Library.

CLOSURE DATES
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer recommended that the closure dates for 2003 be amended to close the entire day on the day after Thanksgiving, November 28, 2003. The reasons are as follows: (1) this date is a City holiday for all other City departments, (2) it would cost approximately $2,000 to open half day in the midst of budget reductions versus uncertainty in how many patrons would actually come to the Library on a day that has been traditionally closed, (3) staff has continually questioned this decision, (4) staff cannot be required to work on a City holiday and there has been a clear lack of interest from regular staff or from remaining casual staff to work on that day.

On motion by Trustee Sweeney, seconded by Trustee Ferguson, the Board unanimously approved amending the 2003 Library Closure Dates to close all day (from 1 to 5 pm) on Friday November 28, 2003, the day after Thanksgiving, with the caveat that they will revisit this issue once casual staffing levels eventually increase.

MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
Art Jury - Trustee Ferguson volunteered to be the Board representative on the Redwood City Public Library Art Exhibit Jury on Friday October 10, 2003.

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer reviewed the monthly highlights for the month of August with the Board.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OTHER TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer reviewed upcoming events with the Board.

Trustee Sweeney asked about the Patriot Act, which was mentioned in August Board minutes. Sr. IT Analyst Bauer will make a presentation to the Board in the near future on the Patriot Act as well as on the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

The Board discussed newly appointed Trustee Madrigal's request to change the day of the week when Board meetings are currently held because he has a schedule conflict. Sr. IT Analyst Bauer stated that he has sent an email to Trustee Madrigal inquiring if Monday or Thursday nights might work with his schedule as well as Tuesdays. The Board will try to work out a mutually agreeable day of the week for future meetings to be held.

APPRECIATION/NEWS CLIPPINGS
Sr. IT Analyst Bauer reviewed letters of appreciation and news clippings from the month of August with the Board.

ADJOURNMENT MOTION
There being no further business or announcements, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to an as-yet-to-be-determined and announced date during the second week of October at 7:00 pm in the Small Meeting Room of the Main Library.

Respectfully Submitted,

________________________
Billy James, Interim Secretary

SB:dw 09/11/03