City of Pendleton Public Library
Library Board
Minutes
Library Meeting Room
January 12, 2016
In attendance: Cheryl Pearce, Vice-Chair, Brianna Earlley, David Burns, Karen Willis, Rachele Johnson, McKennon McDonald, Council Representative, and John Brenne, Mayor’s Representative. Staff: Mary Finney, Director
Public Comment: There was no public comment.
Call to Order: Vice-Chair, Cheryl Pearce, called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm.
Review Minutes Rachele Johnson moved to approve the December minutes. Brianna Earlley seconded. Motion passed.
Modifications to agenda: There were no modifications to the budget.
REPORTS
Board Vice-Chair: Pearce reported that the Pendleton Friends Of the Library (PFOL), which she chairs, did not meet in December. She will be reporting on their meeting next month.
Director: Library Director, Mary Finney, reported that the circulation numbers are down again. However, those areas which see increases often had been rearranged or had gone through a weeding which makes the selection more appealing. Staff will be weeding the adult fiction soon. It is getting very cramped. David Burns asked what happened to the weeded items. Finney explained that they went to the PFOL Book Sale.
December was a rather slow month, but programs were well attended. Finney had a Do-It-Yourself program which involved creating gift jars with layered ingredients. Attendees made a chocolate drink mix, snack mix, and soup mix. They had a good time doing the project.
Assistant Director, Jennifer Costley, presented two children’s programs which were very well attended. Her book club numbers are holding strong.
PFOL held a Christmas Book Sale in December. Members staffed the table. They realized $353.00 from the sale. Lots of people bought great books that would be great gifts.
Sadly, two staff members resigned in December. Johanna Groseclos, Library Aide, will be working in Weston which is her hometown. Anna Johnson, Library Assistant to Jennifer will be working in the schools. She will be on her son’s schedule which will be a boon for her.
Staff had a Christmas Party at Abbey’s Pizza. It is one of our get-togethers outside the library. We have a great time relaxing together.
OLD BUSINESS
Annual Board Retreat: Finney reported that Kate Lasky, Executive Director at Josephine Community Libraries, Inc, has agreed to be the speaker at the Library Board Retreat. Finney will also invite Mayor Houk, City Manager, Robb Corbett, PFOL Foundation chair and PFOL treasurer, Charles Denight, and Marsha Richmond, Umatilla County Special Library District Coordinator, to attend the retreat. Finney will be sending out an email to query the board members and guests as to the best date for them. Possible dates are February 13, 20, 27, March 5, or 12.
Board Recruitment: Pearce asked if there were any applications for the vacancy. McKennon McDonald mentioned that she had spoken with the Mayor Phillip Houk who said he had no applicants for the position. She also mentioned that the Mayor would need to appoint a replacement for the chair position. Pearce explained to the board that she would not be able to assume the duties of the Board Chair because she was also serving a Chair of PFOL. She asked if anyone would be willing to take over the duties. Johnson agreed to do so. Board members unanimously approved her to that position. Her term expires in 2016. Finney will advise the Mayor that the board members in attendance unanimously approved her for that position.
NEW BUSINESS:
Board member ideas: Asked by Finney if there were any programs or events the board would like the library to undertake, Johnson raised the idea of inviting the various book clubs to come together and all read the same book. This would be similar to the one book/one city programs.
Finney thought that was a great idea and asked members to give her contact information for any book clubs they belonged to or knew about. Finney will also check with Armchair Books. Johnson will work with her on that project.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Finney talked about the Million Page Challenge, the program in January and February where patrons 16 years of age an older track the books they read from the library’s collection or from other SAGE libraries. Together we should be able to read a million pages. Finney also mentioned that she had been asked if Pendleton would like to take part in the reading challenge with Harney and Hood River County Libraries. She said she agreed to participate.
Other?
Next meeting: February 9 @ 6:00
Adjourn _6:38 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Finney, Director
Secretary to the Board