Full Text
TO: PARMLY BILLINGS LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES FROM: BILL COCHRAN, DIRECTOR RE: REPORT MEETING DATE: MAY 8, 2008 ACTIVITIES REPORT I joined Board Chair Lloyd Mickelson, Reference Librarian Kathy Robins, Children’s Librarian Cindy Patterson, and Circulation Assistant Delilah Brown at the 2008 Montana Library Association Annual Conference in Great Falls 4-9/12. Mickelson received the 2008 Trustee of the Year Award, Cochran was a panelist at a program on censorship, Robins was a co-presenter at a pre-conference on Spanish-language outreach, and Patterson was the Awards and Honors Committee Chair. Assistant Director Jim Peters attended the Friends of the Library Board meeting on 4-9. Montana State University – Billings Library Director Jane Howell and I spoke on the College of Technology Community Library project at the 4-14 meeting of the Downtown Billings Rotary Club. I chaired a 4-14 meeting of the Planning Subcommittee of the Community Library Committee and Co-Chaired the 4-17 meeting of the Community Library Committee, a joint meeting with the Library Board of Trustees held at the new Health Sciences Building at the College of Technology. I introduced Board Chair Lloyd Mickelson at the 4-14 City Council meeting for a courtesy recognition of his receipt of the Montana Library Association Trustee of the Year Award. At the meeting, Mayor Ron Tussing also read a proclamation recognizing the work of the Library and declaring that week National Library Week in Billings. I joined Board Liaison Denise Du Pont at the 4-15 Foundation Board meeting. I participated in the 4-17 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness. Peters assisted with the One Book Billings presentation with Russell Rowland, 4-19. Systems Administrator Dee Ann Redman attended the 4-23 meeting of the High Plains Book Award Committee. Senior Administrative Coordinator Sandy Raymond and I attended the 4-24 Blood Borne Pathogen Course as part of the City’s Supervisory Training series. We are scheduled to take the Personnel Management II Course on 5-7. Patterson attended the Collaborative Summer Library Program Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, 4-22/26. The Library’s new website went live on 4-25. Redman and Networking Services Librarian Lynne Puckett transferred content over from the previous site. Patterson attended a Friends of the Library meeting with the Junior Billings Women’s Club to discuss the Books to Babies program, 4-30. UPCOMING EVENTS 5-2/4 Friends of the Library Book Sale 5-8 Library Board meeting, Noon 5-8 Peter Fletcher, Guitar Recital, 7:00 p.m. 5-14 Friends of the Library Board meeting, Noon ---PAGE BREAK--- 5-14 Classical Music program, 7:00 p.m. 5-15 Election 2008 Preview, Noon 5-15 Sea Inside, Foreign Film, 7:00 p.m. 5-28 Bike Trails in Billings, Noon 5-28 Classical Music program, 7:00 p.m. 5-29 Food for Thought, 6:00 p.m. 5-29 Astronomy Program, 7 p.m. 6-12 Library Board meeting, Noon ---PAGE BREAK--- STRATEGIC PLAN STATUS REPORT Completed • Objective 1.4 Formally solicit Library Board representation in community planning efforts that might impact existing Library facilities or pose opportunities; ongoing, and BSEDA official presented at Board meeting as of 7-12-07 and Downtown Partnership presented at 12-13-07 Board meeting. • Objective 1.5 Provide ‘The Study’ to be made available for group study, book clubs, etc.; available for public use. • Objective 1.7/3.1 Patron request card at point of checkout and “What changes would you like to see” for roving assistance combined; printed and in use. • Objective 1.9 Incremental improvements in the safety, functionality and appearance of the Main Library; accent painting completed on first and second floors. • Objective 1.9 Replace or update automatic doors; added new sensors and updated doors March 2007. • Objective 1.9 Repair or replace picture book bins in Children’s Services; repainted and trim installed. • Objective 1.9 Painting of the second floor of the Library; scheduled to be completed by 1-9-08. • Objective 3.2 Patron request link IS on the Library’s web page as of 10-29-07. • Objective 4.1 Develop a program idea form to be distributed to patrons; form has been printed as a postcard and is being distributed. • Objective 4.3/8.3 Facilitate a virtual program advisory group; wiki for Adult Programming Committee created and in use. • Objective 4.4/8.4 Quarterly calendar of events; available on webpage. • Objective 6.1 Assessment of staff skills in evaluating information sources; assessment tools administered 10-5-07. • Objective 6.5 Design & acquire a mobile computer lab for classes; lab acquired and in use. • Objective 7.1 Community assessment of resources available to self-directed learners; completed by Management Team 3-21-07. • Objective 7.2 Discuss cooperative efforts for lifelong learning; seven-part series on “Listening to Classical Music” scheduled for 3-12-08 through 5-28-08. • Objective 7.3 Collection assessment of library sources for self-directed learning; assessment has been completed. • Objective 7.4 Allocate 5% of collection budget to self-directed learning materials; allocated in FY08 budget. • Objective 7.5 Staff training on lifelong learning and adult education; Cochran, Peters, and Robins attended “Strategies for Adult Learning” at MSU-Billings 1-23-08. In Progress • Objective 1.1 Joint Community Library; joint planning committee met 7-26, 8-30, 9- 27; 11-1; 12-6; 1-17; 2-21; 3-20, and 4-17. • Objective 1.2 Community process to develop plan for downtown facility; Facilities Committee met 4-7. • Objective 1.3 Study feasibility for a Heights branch library; under study of the Board Facilities Committee, which met 4-7. • Objective 1.5 Free up additional space by weeding adult print collections by one third; weeding of non-fiction is underway. • Objective 1.6 Infomobile improvements including interior improvements and online connection for patrons; upholstery replacement and carpet installation completed. • Objective 1.8 Customer service training for staff; FISH training in process. • Objective 2.1 Library sponsorship of four community issue oriented events; Yellowstone County Elections Office program 1-15-08, being repeated 5-15. ---PAGE BREAK--- • Objective 2.2 Library’s web page as a virtual commons; in progress as part of City website redesign project, due to go live 4-28. • Objective 5.1 Community needs assessment for Internet & electronic information training; review of training providers completed/assessment of needs will be done. • Objective 5.2 Public Internet & electronic information resource classes; ongoing existing classes returned in September; more to be developed per Objective 5.1. • Objective 5.3 Workstation modified for persons with disabilities; budgeted for purchase with Gates Foundation grant funds, awaiting City IT decision re: PC vendor. • Objective 6.2 Staff training based on technology assessment in 6.1.; individual meetings to develop training plans have been completed. • Objective 6.3 Public classes to identify & evaluate information resources; curriculum has been developed. • Objective 7.6 Develop a plan for preservation of and access to historical records; meetings with representatives of MSU-Billings and Western Heritage Center held 1- 29, 2-26, 3-18, and 4-3. • Objective 8.5 activities for newborns and parents; cooperative planning underway among Children’s Services, Foundation, Friends and Junior Women’s League. To Be Completed By October 1, 2007 • Objective 6.4 Links from Library’s website to recommended Internet sites. January 1, 2008 • Objective 1.5 Re-evaluate best use of Montana Room, Teen Pit & Internet stations. • Objective 3.3 Expand new book display shelves. • Objective 5.4 Internet and online classes at retirement facilities. July 1, 2008 • Objective 1.5 Improve seating and work space options for customers. • Objective 4.2/8.2 Conduct focus groups for programming.