Library Commission Minutes

November 17, 2005

Location: Library Commission Room, Denver Central Library, Level 7

Present: Fofi Mendez, Kevin O'Connor, Julie Rodriguez, Karen Rokala, Lois Ann Rovira, Edward Schenck, K.C. Veio, Sid Wilson.

Staff: Rick Ashton, Robert Bowles, Pilar Castro-Reino, Diane Christman, Gwendolyn Crenshaw, Elizabeth Elder, Cynthia Holdeman, Letty Icolari, Cori Jackamore, Celeste Jackson, Michelle Jeske, Patricia Kelly, Susan Kotarba, Elaine Langeberg, Diane Lapierre, Rachelle Naishtut, Jim Pinamont, Jo Sarling, Sherry Spitsnaugle, Derek Wolfgram.

Guests: Hanne Lichtenfels, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation; Landri Taylor, Lena Archuleta, Ann Logan, Peter Kenney, Janey Hanley, Karla Raines, Community Advisory Committee members; Councilman Rick Garcia; Josephine Zamora, Gregory Staritzky, Steve Hellman, Mike McDonald, Josh Andrews, Raylene Decatur, Susan Palermo, Katie Mason, Curtis Kekoa, Yvonne Sandoval, community members.

1. Call to Order
   President K.C. Veio called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
   
   
2. Approval of Minutes of October 20, 2005, Regular Monthly Meeting
   The Minutes were approved as written.
   
   
3. Public Comment Period
   The staff and guests present introduced themselves. A few community members expressed their concerns about proposed future branch service styles.
   
   
4. Report of the President and Members
   
   • Fofi Mendez reported on the results of the Collection Development Review Task Force. A synopsis of the conclusion: After careful review and detailed discussion the Task Force has concluded the collection development and reconsideration process is sound. We believe the foundation of the collection development and reconsideration policy is predicated strongly on responsiveness to the community. Development and acquisition of the library collection is based on community standards, community requests, public usage and circulation. New collections are developed using professional reviews, historical data and knowledge of the interests and desires of our patrons. Materials are shelved according to the intended audience and if a concern is raised, a more appropriate location is explored. The December meeting agenda will include a resolution to support the Task Force report by reaffirming and re-adopting the collection development and reconsideration policy. K.C. Veio thanked everyone who served on the Task Force.
   • Julie Rodriguez reported on the November 2 Development Committee meeting.
   • Upon motion by Lois Ann Rovira, seconded by Julie Rodriguez, the Library Commission members agreed to the proposed 2006 Commission meeting schedule.
   • Sid Wilson reported on the October 28 Staff Council meeting. He noted that a University of Denver's Master's Program student is doing a Staff Council Efficiency Study via a 10-minute online survey that will be distributed to all staff.


5. Report of the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation
   Hanne Lichtenfels reported that the Investment Strategy Adviser Task Force will present their recommendations to the Friends Board at the December meeting.
   
   
6. Monthly Financial Report through October 31, 2005
   Robert Bowles presented this report.



7. Report and Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Community Conversations
   Former Library Commission member and Committee co-chair Landri Taylor presented the results of the findings of the 43-member Community Advisory Committee. He asked the Commission members to accept the report from the advisory committee and from the citizens who participated. He also asked that the Library find a way to move forward to continue to make its actions responsive to the community. K.C. Veio requested that staff continue to study the input of the Committee and continue to move forward with further input from the community and from the Commission. He thanked staff and guests for their great efforts.


8. Discussion regarding Byers Branch Library property
   K.C. Veio volunteered to meet with Josephine Zamora regarding the Byers Branch Library property. When a meeting date is established an e-mail will be sent to all Commission members inviting them to join in the discussion if available.



9. Report of the City Librarian and Staff
• Rick Ashton reported as follows:
  • A brochure promoting the Future LEADers of America Scholarship Program established by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services has been created. A proof of the brochure was passed around. All people pictured in the brochure are Denver Public Library librarians.
  • Denver Public Library staff made some excellent presentations at the Colorado Association of Libraries conference November 11 and 12.
  • Rick Ashton's November 8 speech to the City Club will be distributed to Commission members via e-mail.
• Lois Ann Rovira pointed out a correction to item 3 on the "Development of the 2006 One-Shift Schedule" page included with agenda item 9a. The last sentence refers to all locations but Sunday hours are only at two locations.
  
  
10. K.C. Veio declared the public session in recess at 4:30 p.m.



11. The Commission met in Executive Session for discussion of personnel matters, specifically the recruitment and employment of the next City Librarian.
    
    
12. The public session was reconvened and the following actions were taken on matters discussed in Executive Session:
    • Upon motion by Kevin O'Connor, seconded by Edward Schenck, Library staff are directed to distribute the Request for Proposal (RFP) to executive search firms Friday, November 18, amended as follows:
      • Change time proposals are due on December 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Add a sentence: Interviews with search firms will be conducted on Friday, January 6, 2006.
    • Rachelle Naishtut will check with the American Library Association (ALA) to see if they have a vendor directory that lists library search firms and/or if this vendor request can be posted on the ALA web site.
    • Commission members will meet in Executive Session at the December 15 meeting at Eugene Field Branch Library to decide which search firms to invite for interviews. Commission members agreed to come prepared with one or two questions they want to ask the search firms and three or four criteria, questions, qualifications they want the job candidates to have. All firms that submitted proposals will be contacted on Friday, December 16.
      
      
13. K.C. Veio adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Lois Ann Rovira, Secretary