October 20, 2005
Location: Library Commission Room, Denver Central Library, Level 7
Present: Fofi Mendez, Kevin O’Connor, Julie Rodriguez, Karen Rokala, Lois Ann Rovira, Edward Schenck, K.C. Veio, Sid Wilson
Staff: Kristin Arnold, Rick Ashton, Robert Bowles, Lisa Champion, Diane Christman, Gwendolyn Crenshaw, Elizabeth Elder, Letty Icolari, Cori Jackamore, Celeste Jackson, Michelle Jeske, Patricia Kelly, Susan Kotarba, Elaine Langeberg, Diane Lapierre, Rachelle Naishtut, Jim Pinamont, Sherry Spitsnaugle, Derek Wolfgram
Guests: Hanne Lichtenfels, Mary Smith, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation; Josephine Zamora, Gregory Staritzky and one other guest, community members
- Call to Order
President K.C. Veio called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
- Approval of Minutes of September 15, 2005, Regular Monthly Meeting
The Minutes were approved, amended as follows: Agenda Item 10b, Report of the City Librarian and Staff, includes the sentence, “The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation proffered an unsolicited grant of $20,000 that will help support the Library’s children’s outreach program.”
This should read, “The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation proffered an unsolicited grant of $20,000 that will help support the Library’s Read Aloud Program.”
- Public Comment Period
The staff and guests present introduced themselves. Guest Josephine Zamora distributed a document and spoke about the possible future relocation of the Byers Branch Library. The Commission members agreed to include this as an agenda item at the November 17 meeting.
- Report of the President and Members
- Lois Ann Rovira reported on the October 4 Collection Development Review Task Force meeting. The next two meetings are scheduled for October 24 at 9 a.m. and November 4 at 12 noon.
- Karen Rokala reported on the information imparted at today’s, October 20, New Commissioner Orientation meeting.
- Sid Wilson reported on the September 30 Staff Council meeting, the October 5 Artist Reception at the Blair-Caldwell Library, and the October 11 Denver Police Department and Daniels Foundation recognition event for the Library’s extraordinary security guards.
- Report of the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation
Hanne Lichtenfels reported that the Investment Strategies Task Force is expanding its search for a new investment management adviser. The next Finance Committee and Board of Trustees meetings have been postponed until this search is completed.
- Monthly Financial Report through September 30, 2005
Robert Bowles presented this report. Elizabeth Elder reported on the timeline and actions being taken to prepare Library staff for the change in hours in 2006.
- Approval of Proposed Library Staff Incentive Plan for 2006
Letty Icolari reported on the details of the plan. Upon motion by Lois Ann Rovira, seconded by Edward Schenck, the plan passed unanimously with the addition of the phrase“military leave” in the fifth bullet point.
The Commission members requested the following topics be added to future agendas:
- An update on the status of the incentive plan should be presented at the April Commission meeting.
- Include the Commission early in the process of developing the 2007 proposal.
- Have Commission members and representatives from the Friends Foundation assist in creating a list of possible measurable goals for the future.
- Update on Report and Recommendations of the Community Conversations Advisory Committee
Diane Lapierre announced that the co-chairs of the committee were not available to be at this meeting. The report will be presented at the November 17 meeting.
- Report of the City Librarian and Staff
- Mary Smith reported on the incredibly successful Booklover’s Ball, which netted over $250,000. She will host a thank you party for volunteers sometime in November. Special kudos were given to Cindy Jensen, Celeste Jackson and Marthina Maduka for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Ball, as well as to the community for the phenomenal in-kind contributions.
Kevin O’Connor read a Resolution of Appreciation for Mary Smith. Upon motion by Karen Rokala, seconded by Lois Ann Rovira, this resolution was approved unanimously.
- Rick Ashton presented descriptions of the Colorado Association of Libraries and Urban Libraries Council conference opportunities.
- Diane Lapierre reported on the Library’s presentation of the 2006 Budget to the City Council Public Amenities Committee.
- Elizabeth Elder reported on a Library visit by about 110 members of the Austin, Texas, Chamber of Commerce.
- Diane Christman reported on the 5th Annual Map Fair and International Map Conference held at the Central Library September 17-18.
- Rick Ashton reported as follows:
- The Denver Public Library was again number 3 in the 2005 HAPLR Rankings.
- The New Orleans Public Library is closed. The entire staff has been laid off as part of a 50% layoff of all city staff.
- The courier service for the Front Range public libraries went out of business one day a couple of weeks ago. It took about a week of scramble to get a new vendor and get this very important service operational again.
- The Library staff contribution to the Denver Employees Combined Campaign (a City expansion of United Way) was 6% over its participation goal of 55% and more than $4,000 over its goal of $30,000.
- A new mural by Carlos Fresquez has been hung on the Level 7 west side corridor wall. Negotiations are underway to turn this loan into an acquisition.
- Rick Ashton announced his retirement effective February 28, 2006
K.C. Veio reported that the Commission will work with a national search firm to find his successor. K.C. Veio proposed that Letty Icolari be named Interim City Librarian effective March 1, 2006. Upon motion by Lois Ann Rovira, seconded by Fofi Mendez, this proposal carried unanimously.
- K.C. Veio adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Lois Ann Rovira, Secretary
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