DEARBORN DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES

LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING

01-13-06

 

 

1. ATTENDANCE:

In attendance were: MRS. NANCY ZAKAR, Chairperson, MR. MARCEL PULTORAK, Vice-Chairperson; MRS. SYLVIA PRESSMAN, MRS. CANDYCE ABBATT, MR. ROBERT TAUB, MR. RONALD WATTERS, Commissioners; DR. PATRICK COADY, Library Director, MARYANNE BARTLES, Assistant Library Director, MS. TARA GNAU,

MRS. JULIE SCHAEFER, Administrative Librarians.

EXCUSED:  MRS. DIANE PEPPER, MR. DAVID SCHLAFF, Commissioners;

ABSENT:  DR. ALEX SHAMI, Secretary-Treasurer.

 

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The minutes from the December Commission meeting was approved as submitted. 

 

3. APRIL MEETING:

The April Library Commission meeting is currently scheduled for the second Friday in April which is Good Friday.  Mr. Pultorak motioned to change the meeting from April 14, 2006 to April 7, 2006, seconded by Mrs. Abbatt, all approved.

 

4. RECOMMENDATION FOR LIBRARY COLLECTION POLICY CHANGE:

It was reported that we have done a survey on the foundation collection and found that the there is low usage of the collection.  There is a charge for the foundation collection and we are obligated to host workshops in conjunction with the collection.  These workshops take up a lot of staff time.  We would like to discontinue the foundation collection.  Mr. Pultorak motioned to approve the removal of the Foundation Collection from the library collection, seconded by Mrs. Pressman, all approved. 

 

5. CAPITAL BUDGET:

Dr. Coady explained the handout of capital improvement projects and other large projects that was given to the Commission.  He explained that codes were added to the handout to give the Commission a better idea of the stage in the process each project is at.  He explained the different steps in the process.  Mrs. Abbatt asked to see the document again resorted so that the projects are in order by where they are in the process, from those just beginning to those projects which have been completed.  Maryanne Bartles explained that the projects that are listed with an “I number” are the capital improvement projects.    

 

6. OPERATING BUDGET:

Dr. Coady stated that Administration just finished working on the operating budget so he does not have the document that he hoped to present to the Commission on the operating budget.  He reported that the operating budget will be flat again this year.  This is the fourth year that the operating budget has been flat.  Dr. Coady stated that we will have a document on the operating budget for the Commissioners to review at the next meeting.  The budget should be adopted by May 11th so review of the budget should be completed sometime in April.  Dr. Coady stated that he is not sure what to expect in terms of the budget adoption.  The City is looking to cut an additional 70 to 90 staff positions and he is not sure how that will affect the library. 

 

7. FOUNDATION UPDATE:

Mrs. Zakar reported that she and Mrs. Abbatt, Dr. Coady and Tara Gnau attended that last Foundation meeting. They are working on their by laws and working on appointing officers and committees.  Ann Knoop asked that officer nominations be sent to her and according to Dr. Coady she has received nominations.  Mr. Watters asked if the wish list the Commission worked on at their last meeting was presented to the foundation and Dr. Coady reported that it was.  Mrs. Zakar stated that although they were happy to have the information they really were not ready for it yet.  They do not have a process established yet for looking at potential projects.  Dr. Coady reported that Ann Knoop, who is currently serving as Foundation Chairperson, announced that she is moving away from the area and will have to resign her position.  She has agreed to stay on until June. 

 

8. CHANGE TO BYLAWS:

Dr. Coady explained that the Library Commission by laws still list Dr. Coady’s job title as City Librarian rather than Library Director which was changed some time ago.  Mr. Pultorak moved to change the bylaws, seconded by Mrs. Abbatt, all approved. 

 

9. NEW BUSINESS:

Dr. Coady stated he will bring forward a new graphical pyramid in which the statements listed in the pyramid can be read which was a concern for Mrs. Pepper.  Dr. Coady has also created guidance for administration which he will also present at the February meeting.  This document will replace the longer term goals document previously presented.

 

Nancy Zakar reported that Dr. Coady will retire by the end of May 2006. She has appointed a committee of Candyce Abbatt, Robert Taub and Marcel Pultorak to begin the process of finding a new library director. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55PM.