DEARBORN DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES

LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING

OCTOBER 10, 2008

1. ATTENDANCE

In attendance were: Mr. Marcel Pultorak, Chairperson; Dr. Alex Shami, Vice-Chairperson; Mr. Robert Taub, Mrs. Candyce Abbatt and Mrs. Jihan Jawad, Commissioners; Mrs. Maryanne Bartles, Library Director; Ms. Julie Schaefer, Deputy Library Director; Mr. Steve Smith, Administrative Librarian.

Excused: Mrs. Nancy Zakar, Secretary-Treasurer and Mr. David Schlaff, Commissioner.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the September 2008 Library Commission Meeting were approved as submitted.

3. FOUNDATION UPDATE

Mrs. Bartles reported that the Foundation is working along. They have a new board member, Elizabeth Naito, who has a lot of experience working with fund raising. They are currently working on getting quotes for a publicity brochure they are working on. Their next meeting is Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 6:00 PM.

4. BUDGET UPDATE

Mrs. Bartles distributed a memo that Departments received from the Finance Director regarding rates and fees. Rates and fees are anything that we charge the customer.

We are very good in comparison data with other libraries. Mrs. Bartles distributed an updated rate and fees schedule and explained the layout. The first section of the schedule shows fines for books and shows that we fall in the range with three other libraries that charge $0.20. There are only two other libraries that charge more then that. The next section shows fines for movies and shows that we charge the most at $2.00. Most other libraries are $1.00. The next section is CD-ROMS and shows us as one of five libraries that chare $1.00 which is the most, and goes on from there. From a business standpoint, companies might charge people what it cost them and we can’t do that. Mr. Pultorak reported that traditionally Public Libraries have been free public libraries and the philosophy of public libraries has been to give free education and information to the citizens. The memo is asking that we review our rates and fees and we need to do nothing if we have no changes. The Commission has decided to leave our rates and fees as they are and feel that raising them would not have a significant impact on revenue.

5. INFORMATION ITEMS

A. Public Computer Use Policy – update for wireless connectivity: In April the Library Commission agreed that we would follow the same rules and regulations for wireless computer use as we do for wired computer use. Mrs. Bartles distributed the Public Computer Use Policies and Procedures of the Library with the updated statement to reflect that. Dr. Shami moved to revise the Public Computer Use Policies and Procedures to read in accordance with the draft presented at this meeting to expand the policy to cover use of patrons personal devices through wireless connectivity used to access the library’s network, seconded by Mrs. Abbatt , all approved.

B. Policy Review: Mrs. Bartles reported that they are going through all of the library’s manuals and pulling out any policy statements. The Administrators will meet next week and if all goes well Mrs. Bartles hopes to have something for the next meeting for Commissioners to start their review. Mr. Pultorak suggested that as you are going through these documents if any of these policies are imbedded in other documents start thinking about cross referencing the item. This will save work in the future. Mrs. Bartles agreed and reported that our Circulation Manual is well done in three sections; library policy, sample statements, and procedure pages and she plans to have all our manuals done this way.

C. Michigan Library Association (MLA) – Basic Training for Trustees: Mrs. Bartles distributed to each Commissioner a DVD on Basic Training for Trustees which was put out by the Michigan Library Association. Mr. Pultorak suggested having a discussion about it at another meeting once Commissioners had a chance to view the DVD. There may be things that apply or don’t apply to our Commission.

D. Library Commission By-Laws: Mrs. Bartles reported that at the last meeting she pointed out that the section in the by-laws was wrong and just took any reference to that section out. She also updated the date that the City Charter was adopted. Mr. Pultorak reported that the Commission will vote on this at the November meeting. The by-laws state that the substance of proposed amendments shall have been given in the notice of the meeting.

6. ACTION ITEMS

A. Library Hours: Mr. Pultorak reported that this item will be tabled until the November meeting because the Commission has not had a chance to review this with the City Attorney.

7. COMMENTS

Mr. Pultorak reported that the Legal Department lost Assistant City Attorney

John Tanner, who passed away this week after a car accident.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 PM.