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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Promotion Committee 02/16/2005APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 16, 2005 — 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Beasley called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Joan Beasley, Chair Betty Carapellese Lynn DeSantis Louise Kermode Ella Manor Jim Ron Bobbie Rosenberg Staff Present: Rachelle Klassen, Staff Liaison Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary Others Present: Jeannie Kays, City Librarian Mary Arnold, Event and Volunteer Coordinator Barbara Bowie, Desert Library Zone III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 19, 2005. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. Motion was made by Ms. Beasley to approve the January 19, 2005, meeting minutes, seconded by Ms. Carapellese. Motion carried 7-0. APPROVED MINUTES LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 16, 2005 V. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2005/06 BUDGET Rachelle Klassen distributed the proposed budget for FY 2005/06 (attached hereto as Exhibit "A"), and gave a brief overview of each line item. She noted that within the last six or eight months, the County instituted a mitigation fee that would give additional monies to County Libraries to help keep their resources up-to-date. Given those new fees, the proposed budget allotment for Library materials would remain at $55,000. She said a new line item on the FY 2005/06 budget was the Installation of Wireless "Hot Spot' Circuitry, - however, she cautioned the Committee that the City was studying this new technology and had some reservations. She said there were a few staff members who utilize wireless at City Hall and found it be extremely temperamental. There were some security issues and ongoing lawsuits between Adelphia and Time Warner regarding the interference caused by wireless communication. She added that the City would only be able to support wireless communication if the security issues were resolved. Ms. Manor asked if the "Hot Spot' could remain in the budget for further investigation, and if funds were not used for this purpose, perhaps they could be used to improve computer access in the current mode. Ms. Klassen agreed. Ms. Kays noted that the County was concerned about security as well. They also wanted to make certain that the quality and technology was working properly before they commit to its installation. Ms. Kermode asked what line item was paying for the mural in the Library. Ms. Klassen responded that the mural was paid from the Art In Public Places budget and not from the Library fund. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS ►I= VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Council Member Jean Benson None APPROVED MINUTES LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 16, 2005 B. Librarian's Report (Jeannie Kays) Ms. Kays thanked the Committee for approving the budget. She reported that after her first month as City Librarian, the Palm Desert Library was improving nicely. The training of employees was ongoing, and the telephones were being answered by the second ring. Thanks to the Friends of the Library, new shelves had been installed under the counters, and the effort toward improving the Workroom space was progressing. She added that new computer software, PC Cop, had been installed on the computers. Individual users were allowed 30 minutes of computer time twice each day; the software tracks the use of time, signaling when their 30 minutes are up. It has proven to be a very successful tool in helping staff with the rotation of people waiting to use the computers. Ms. Kays also announced the appearance of Jimmy Santiago Baca on March 23, 3005 at 6.30 p.m. at the Palm Desert Library. She noted that he would be appearing at six different locations in the desert. C. Event and Volunteer Coordinator's Report (Mary Arnold) Mary Arnold commented on the cycle of volunteers, noting that winter residents were preparing to leave, while students were returning to fulfill community hours. She said they were gearing up for the "Libraries Are Fun" festival, scheduled for March 30, 2005. This year's theme will be birds, and the festivities will include a parrot show. Ms. Kermode asked if The Living Desert had been approached about bringing birds to this event. Ms. Arnold responded that she had gone to a Performers Showcase and selected the parrot show, which was all-inclusive, and had not really considered The Living Desert. Ms. DeSantis added that it was her understanding that The Living Desert birds were not usually taken off the property because of the potential for disease. Ms. Arnold noted that 166 people attended last week's event at the Library and added that the final two events for February were artist Ingrid Peterson and humorist Larry Wilde. Upon question by Ms. Kermode as to whether Mr. Wilde was a comedian or just speaks about humor, she replied that he speaks about how humor can affect one's life. E. Budget Review Group (Ella Manor/Betty Carapellese) ►I= APPROVED MINUTES LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 16, 2005 F. Friends of the Palm Desert Library (Joan Beasley) None G. Committee Chair (Joan Beasley) Joan Beasley commented that she enjoyed working with Ms. Kays and felt she was doing a good job. H. Committee Members Ella Manor commented that she would like the Palm Desert Library to concentrate on having a better selection of books on tape, as she had heard, on more than one occasion, that the neighboring library had a better selection than Palm Desert. She said she felt the Workroom was looking better, and she was pleased to see that Library staff members were wearing their nametags. She asked if the Library would order a best seller, if requested by a reader, and Ms. Kays responded that she would consider doing so, but it would depend on several factors, including cost. Ms. Bowie added that staff would also check with a partner library first to see if the book was available. Betty Carapellese inquired as to who orders the best sellers. Ms. Kays said she purchased the books from Barnes and Noble for immediate availability. Staff Ms. Klassen announced that free County Fair/National Indio Date Festival tickets were available to interested Committee members. IX. ADJOURNMENT Adjournment was at 3:40 p.m. Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary In