PROPOSED MINUTES

 

DEARBORN DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES

LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING

04-03-09

1.  ATTENDANCE

In attendance were:  Mr. Marcel Pultorak, Chairperson; Mrs. Nancy Zakar, Secretary-Treasurer,

Mr. Robert Taub, and Mrs. Jihan Jawad, Commissioners; Mrs. Maryanne Bartles, Library Director; Ms. Julie Schaefer, Deputy Library Director. Excused:  Mrs. Candyce Abbatt and Mr. David Schlaff, Commissioners; Absent: Dr. Alex Shami, Vice-Chairperson.

 

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the March 2009 Library Commission Meeting were approved as submitted.

 

3.  FOUNDATION UPDATE

Mrs. Bartles reported the next Library Foundation meeting is Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 6pm.  The brochure that the Library Foundation has been working on went out in the mail and some of the Commissioners reported getting a brochure already and commented on how nicely done they were. Mrs. Bartles reported that the Foundation is losing members so if the Commissioners know of anyone interested in joining the Foundation to let her know.  Mr. Pultorak stated that at the last meeting the Foundation discussed planning some cooperative fundraising events with local restaurants.  He also discussed the Friends of the Library members or other library volunteers to help plan and support Library Foundation events in the future. We could also go to community groups such as residents of the City senior apartments and ask them to adopt an event.  Julie Schaefer suggested putting something in the Library Newsletter and/or the Friends newsletter about volunteering for Foundation events. 

 

4.  BUDGET UPDATE

Mrs. Bartles reported that although she does not have the final numbers yet the Library budget is being cut for the next year.  We will not lose any staff members this year.  Budget cuts are across the board, every department in the City is effected with the budget cuts averaging about 2-3% of each departments operating budget.  The City did not want to lay off any employee’s so the cuts do not come from the personnel budget. Mrs. Zakar asked where the 2-3% reduction would most likely come from in our budget.  Mrs. Bartles stated library materials, building maintenance and postponing the library services brochure we have been planning to develop to give to new library patrons.  Mrs. Bartles stated when she gets the final budget numbers she will share them with the Commission. Mrs. Bartles stated that the survey of citizens of Dearborn regarding City services is completed although she has not seen any tallies of those results.  The next step in the process is for the City to meet with residents. 

 

5.  INFORMATION ITEMS-

A.     SEMCOG Presentation of Rightsizing Government- Mr. Pultorak advised the Commissioners that the SEMCOG presentation is available to view on the City website.  With significant projected property tax reductions next year’s budget will be severely affected and this presentation has a lot of good ideas for government.  Mr. Pultorak also attended a Michigan Government Finance Officers Association seminar in which he received a chart showing citizen support of local government services across the country and in Michigan which showed that library services are highly valued.  Mr. Pultorak will send the Commissioners a copy of this. 

B.     Spring Library Matters Newsletter-Mrs. Bartles reported that there is a copy of the spring newsletter in the Commissioners meeting packet.  The newsletter is done by a staff member who does an excellent job.  If any Commissioners come across a book that they would like to recommend for the newsletter send a note to Mrs. Bartles or to Jeff Lelek. 

C.    Volunteers-Mrs. Bartles stated that at the last meeting Commissioner Abbatt asked about the volunteer program.  We had a volunteer orientation on March 21st and they had approximately 7 students and 7 adults attend and it appears that Bryant will get some volunteers from this group.  We will do another volunteer orientation in May. 

D.    Commissioners whose term expires in June 2009- Mrs. Bartles reported that Commissioners Abbatt, Taub and Shami’s terms are up in June.  The Mayor will consider their reappointments and let Mrs. Bartles know with in a month or so. 

 

6.  ACTION ITEMS- None

 

7.  COMMENTS-

Mrs. Bartles stated that the Friends of the Library had their monthly book sale for April and they raised over $3000. 

 

Mrs. Bartles showed the Commissioners blue prints for the welcome center in the lower level at Bryant.  The Chamber of Commerce hopes to move into the lower level of Bryant by July 1st.

 

Mr. Pultorak asked where the Farmers Market would be located at Bryant.  Mrs. Bartles stated that the Mayor told them that they can set up in the area surrounding Bryant.  Steve Smith is at a meeting right now regarding the Farmers Market.

 

Library patron Janice Shaw spoke to the Library Commission about various topics including the minutes now being available as proposed minutes, how well the Dearborn Library compares to other libraries, the lighting at Bryant Branch, opening early during the Farmers Market and promoting Bryant area events such as the Farmers Market.  She suggested setting up a booth to sell the library green bags at the Farmers Market. 

 

Mr. Pultorak was at Snow Branch this past week and he complemented how nicely the building is arranged. 

 

Mrs. Schaefer stated that we are hoping to renovate the Children’s bathroom at HFCL to a family bathroom.  The project is going to City Council this coming Monday. 

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.