10-03-2000
Q i\)-~j.. t.,~....( ('-
\ \
.....,
.....",
LIBRARY BOARD
EDGEWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY
REGULAR MEETING
October 3, 2000
3:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairwoman Jean Haughwout called to order a regular meeting of the Library Board at 3:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, October 3, 2000, in the Edgewater Public Library.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairwoman Jean Haughwout, Marie Goodrich, Mary Rice, Linda Ladd, Sue
Shaw and Jo Anne Sikes. Also present were Librarian Gayle Harmon; County Library Advisory
Board (CLAB) Representative for District 2 Eva Williams; and recording secretary Liz McBride.
Kathy Clausnitzer was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for March 7, 2000, were presented to the Board for approval. Ms. Skies moved to
approve the minutes as presented, second by Ms. Rice. Motion CARRIED 6-0. The minutes for
April 11, 2000, were also presented for approval. Ms. Shaw mentioned Mayor Don Schmidt and
Linda Ruddy were also present, and the word "in" needed to be included on page two, second
paragraph, third sentence. Chairwoman Haughwout corrected the spelling of Dwayne Slate's name.
Ms. Goodrich moved to approve the minutes as corrected, second by Ms. Rice. Motion CARRIED
6-0.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN:
Librarian Gayle Harmon said she had several things to report and with the Board's permission would
like Ruth McCormack to report on children's activities and Melanie West on computer classes.
Ms. Harmon reported they hosted the County Library Advisory Board on June 2,2000. She stated
the Edgewater Library was closed twice during the summer, one was a work day on June 7th.
Ms. McCormack arrived to talk about children's services the Library provides. She said from
January through August they organized 120 programs with total attendance of 5,262. She attributed
the success partly on the location of the Library. Most of the programs were strongly literature
based. For the program, a particular author/illustrator would be selected and their books would be
featured. Any art the students did would be an exploration of the type of art that was representative
of what the artist did in his works. Popular with all the age groups, Ms. McCormack stated they
were proud of this program and felt it stimulated an interest in books and reading.
Ms. McCormack said they had few programs for teenagers but the Library offered them volunteer
work. She described a Jf. Volunteer Program spearheaded by Alice Smith which included middle
school through high school. They work to help the high school students fulfill the required number
of volunteer hours. Ms. McCormack stated there were 32 children volunteers this summer for a total
of 579 hours. They helped Library staff with program preparation, younger children with art
activities, shelving and manning the room, etc.
~
....-
Library Board Minutes
October 3, 2000
Page 2
Ms. McCormack reported on her participation in the year long Career Development Program,
handled by the County Manager's office. The program expanded participant's knowledge of how
the County worked and were able to interact with County personnel. She said the 1,000 hour
program was extremely informative and felt during her tour of the County departments, she saw a
connection to information the Library could provide for their customers. CLAB Representative Eva
Williams asked if this program was going to continue. Ms. McCormack said they were thinking
about adjusting the required hours and qualifications, and a new class was to begin in about six
months.
Librarian Gayle Harmon stated the other Library closing was half a day on August 28, 2000, for
emergency management training. She said staff was assigned to the emergency operation center, and
were there during the fire storms. Ms. Harmon reported attending a week-long educational program
in August at the Kennedy Space Center.
Melanie West reported finishing a successful intermediate Internet class. Four sessions of beginning
computers and an introduction to Windows were classes to be offered in November. She said in
January or February they would start a rotation of classes each week. Ms. West and Ms. Harmon
received some training on medical sites at the Halifax Hospital Library, and distributed information
they received. Ms. West stated they were having a good time teaching and everyone seemed to be
enjoying the classes (mostly seniors). Ms. Sikes mentioned the Friends were to thank for being able
to offer these programs.
Ms. Harmon reiterated the NASA program she attended was basically the same program they had
been offering teachers for some time. The program was called "Planned Partnering Libraries and
NASA" she and described her experiences while attending the program.
Ms. Harmon stated Linda Ruddy and her volunteers held a shelf reading party. In addition to the
computer equipment, the Friends also purchased a laser color printer which was networked with all
the computers. She mentioned the Friends still had Edgewater T-shirts and tote bags for sale and
would be having a book sale October 27th and 28th. Ms. Harmon said children's author Sandy
Salmons would be presenting a program on October 18th. On November 12th an afternoon of ballet
would be presented with refreshments by the Friends.
Ms. Harmon said a new children's program, "Food for Fines", would begin on October 13th. She
said people who owed Library fines could bring in a can of food which would be worth fifty cents.
The Halifax Urban Ministries was chosen to receive the collected food. On October 24th the
volunteers would be holding a training/luncheon session. It was noted there were approximately 50
volunteers enrolled with about 37 to 41 active. Ms. Harmon stated the Christmas Parade would be
held on December 9th and that the Library usually had an entry.
Ms. Harmon mentioned library research could be done on the Internet. One could browse for books,
see if they were available, place holds, renew books, check your own record, etc. Ms. Williams
stated the County Council could also be logged onto.
~
..."
Library Board Minutes
October 3, 2000
Page 3
COMMUNICATIONS:
Chairwoman Haughwout distributed literature and stated the dues for WHCLIST had been paid and
that they would hold a conference on October 25 - 28.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Discuss Promoting and Encouraging Ways of Donating to the Library - Chairwoman
Haughwout stated Ms. Clausnitzer needed to be present for this issue.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Advise Member of Term Expiration Date - Chairwoman Haughwout referred to Ms.
Clausnitzer who had written a letter expressing her desire to be reappointed. Recording Secretary
Liz McBride informed the Board they needed a motion recommending Council reappoint Ms.
Clausnitzer or to recommend appointment of someone else.
Ms. Goodrich moved to recommend to Council that Ms. Clausnitzer be reappointed. It was asked
if Ms. Clausnitzer was at the last meeting, and discussion continued as to which meetings she
attended. Ms. Goodrich said she would withdraw the motion if the Board preferred. After further
discussion, Ms. Shaw second the motion. Motion CARRIED 6-0.
Ms. Ladd asked how far in advance (of the term expiration) did the letter need to be written to
Council. Ms. McBride said there was no set period of time. It was asked whose term would be
expiring next. Ms. McBride stated the terms of Chairwoman Haughwout and Ms. Ladd would
expire February 2, 2001.
B. Review By-Laws - Ms. McBride said the by-laws had not been reviewed for some time
which was why it was placed on the agenda. The members discussed absences and being excused
from meetings. Ms. Shaw stated the Board only held three regular meetings a year and unless
something unforeseen happened, felt everyone should make the meetings. The Board discussed the
attendance issue at some length.
After further discussing attendance problems, Ms. Goodrich withdrew her motion to recommend that
Council reappoint Ms. Clausnitzer, second by Ms. Rice. Motion CARRIED 6-0.
Ms. McBride stated she would pull all the applicants from the file and the Board could review them
at their January meeting or call a special meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS:
CLAB Representative Eva Williams reported County Council approved the library budget in
September. She said the pay scales were to be increased and that County Council realized that they
lose good staff because the salaries were inadequate.
.,
....,.
Library Board Minutes
October 3, 2000
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to
adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Elizabeth J. McBride
Recording Secretary
a:\.min I00300.reg