DEARBORN DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES

LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING

JUNE 10, 2005

 

1. ATTENDANCE:

In attendance were: MRS. NANCY ZAKAR, Chairperson; MR. MARCEL PULTORAK, Vice-Chairperson; DR. ALEX SHAMI, Secretary-Treasurer, MR. ROBERT TAUB,

Commissioner; DR. PATRICK COADY, Library Director, MRS. MARYANNE BARTLES, Deputy Library Director, MS. TARA GNAU, Administrative Librarian;

Excused:  MR. DAVID SCHLAFF, MR. RONALD WATTERS, MRS. LILA AMEN, MRS. CANDYCE ABBATT, MRS SYLVIA PRESSMAN, Commissioners.

 

2. 2006 BUDGET:

Dr. Coady reported that we were not called before the City Council regarding our 2006 budget.  Our budget was approved as submitted and there were no rescissions to our capital budget.  The City Council has adopted the budget for the City.   They have started a budget review process for next year’s budget. 

 

3. VISION, MISSION AND VALUE STATEMENTS:

This item was postponed till the next Commission meeting due to lack of a quorum to vote on the proposed statements. 

 

4.  HFCL GIFT SHOP-COMPLAINT RECEIVED:

Mr. Pultorak reported that he received a telephone call from an individual who has regular meetings at HFCL and had a complaint about the appearance of the gift shop at HFCL.  They felt that the gift shop area looks like a rummage sale and detracts from the appearance of the building.  They also stated that they enjoyed the art displays in the rotunda and that the gift shop area would be better utilized as art display space.  Mr. Pultorak stated that he came down to HFCL on the day he received the complaint and looked at the gift shop area.  He has to agree to some extent with the caller that the gift shop area does not look good.  In looking at the gift shop financial report which was distributed at the meeting today it looks like gross sales year to date is $779 and 436 volunteer hour’s year to date.  It seems as if those volunteer hours would be better used in another area for the good of the library.  It does not appear the gift shop is working from a cost benefit standpoint and changes need to be made.  We appreciate the effort that has been put into the gift shop.  Not all ventures are successful indefinitely.  Mr. Pultorak stated that there is a shop selling City of Dearborn merchandise on the 4th floor at City Hall.  Possibly the two ventures could be combined in some capacity. Dr. Coady stated that they have struggled with the location of the gift shop.  He had tried to work out an alternate location with Don Valocick, FOLD President, but was unsuccessful.  The Mayor would like to see Don take over the enterprise on the 4th floor at City Hall.  Mr. Pultorak asked the gift shop volunteers who were present at the meeting if they felt there was another area or opportunity that they would like to direct their efforts towards as volunteers. Irene Lilly stated she did not think getting into another venture right now was what they wanted to do. Jackie Bencher asked if they would be allowed to keep the gift shop open till the end of the year. Dr. Coady stated that Tim Briody, who is head of the Dearborn Community Arts Council, wanted to contract with us to use the rotunda display area for their exhibitions.   Dr. Coady stated they would have to move the gift shop to another location in order to keep it open till the end of the year.  Irene Lilley stated that the traffic issue would be a problem on the third floor and noise from the gift shop might cause people to complain on the second floor.  Mr. Taub asked about moving into the book sale room till the end of the year.  Dr. Coady stated on book sale days there would not be significant traffic.  The FOLD members present stated that patrons who come for the book sale are only interested in purchasing books and do not look at the gift shop items.  Mr. Valocik states that they sell almost nothing on book sale days.  Mr. Valocik asked by what date they would have to close.  He states that he has inventory he has to dispose of. Dr. Coady asked what Mr. Valocik thought the time frame should be for a liquidation period.  He stated he thought at least three months is necessary and that he knows what to do with the merchandise.  The Commission discussed the necessity of promoting the liquidation sale.  Mr. Pultorak asked if we could put something on the library website as well as possibly the City web page.  Dr. Coady stated the City may not want to go there because they will have to do that for others.  Mr. Pultorak stated he did not see what the problem would be for the City to do that.  Dr. Coady stated he would investigate the City web page and we will be helpful with the library mailings.  Irene Lilley stated that she wanted to mention that Mr. Valocik did turn in a check for $500 the other day.  Mr. Valocik stated there won’t be much going on in the summer so the 90 days will have to begin in the summer.  Dr. Coady stated if it is publicized as a sale they should be able to generate interest in the summer. 

 

5. DEPARMENTAL RULES UPDATE:

Mrs. Bartles stated we are looking at the Departmental Rules and trying to streamline them and get them better organized as well as make some minor changes.  Dr. Coady wanted to present them at this meeting for the Commission to vote on them and we were not able to get them to the point where she wanted them.  Dr. Coady stated that Carla and Mrs. Bartles have been working on the streamlining but it turned out to be a bigger piece than we originally thought.  We decided it was better to go at it with three people to review them, Dr. Coady, Ms. Gnau and Mrs. Bartles.  We want to make it simpler for staff to understand.  Mrs. Bartles stated that staff has to read a lot of manuals but this manual is important in that it tells staff how we expect them to act so it is necessary that it be clear. When they are completed,they will be presented to the Commission to look over and approve. 

 

6. FOUNDATION-NEXT STEPS

Mrs. Zakar reported that the list of potential foundation trustee names was approved by the Mayor.  The next step will be to meet with Ann Knoop over the summer so we can get an idea of what she needs and what direction she wants to go in.  Dr. Coady stated that Mrs. Abbatt had discussed with Ms. Knoop meeting Dr. Coady and the Commission but she was busy with a graduation for this meeting. Dr. Coady felt that the officers from the Commission should meet with Ms. Knoop. Mrs. Zakar stated all the Commissioners could be invited.  However, Mr. Pultorak stated that if all of the Commissioners attend the meeting would have to be posted for the public so we probably don’t want to get into all of that. Mrs. Zakar stated that for the first meeting she felt it should be Mrs. Abbatt and herself.  Mr. Pultorak stated we also need to work on a co-chairperson who can be her successor when Ms. Knoop has to leave the foundation due to her move. 

 

 

7. NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Pultorak stated he was disappointed by the lack of a quorum for the last meeting for the summer. Mrs. Zakar asked if the Commissioners thought we should discuss our Friday at 4pm meeting time for the future.  It seems that other days during the week might be better meeting times than Friday.  Mr. Pultorak agreed that if it is a problem for people to get here we should look at making a change.  Dr. Coady stated he has had Commissioners say that Friday was the best day.   Mr. Pultorak stated that he did not think it was the best day and it was not the day of the week he would choose.  People have weekend plans particularly in the summer.  Mrs. Zakar stated both Monday and Friday are not good days.  Dr. Coady stated that it is a Commission decision.  Mrs. Zakar asked that it be put on the agenda for the September meeting. 

 

Dr. Shami stated that he noticed on his way in that the concrete around the flag pole in the HFCL parking lot is cracking. Someone should look at it and repair it.  Dr. Coady stated that he is aware of the problem and asked DPW to look at it.  Dr. Coady also reported that the canopy repair is now out for bid. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40PM.