Library Advisory Board Minutes

Cascade Township Library Advisory Board Meeting
Monday, April 4, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.

Attendees:
Charles Fry, Library Advisory Board Chairman
Diane Cutler, Cascade Library Branch Manager
Laura Weld, Cascade Library Asst. Branch Manager
Barbara Kalinka, Board Member
Debbie Straub, Friends President
Holly Sturges, Board Member
Lynne Marie Quinlan, Board Member

Excused Attendees:
Ed Dupke, Library Advisory Board Co-Chairman
Pamela Vander Ploeg, KDL Facilities Planning
Ron Goodyke, Township Trustee
Maureen Sullivan, Board Member

Guest(s): Marion Robinson, Friends Board Member

Chuck welcomed the attendees and introduced Marion to the Library Advisory Board.

Approval of March 2005 Minutes: Chuck asked the Board if they had any corrections or amendments to the March minutes. Lynne Marie motioned for approval of March 2005 Library Advisory Board Minutes, The Board unanimously seconded. All were in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Branch Report: Diane began by saying the Branch will be holding Spring Break Programs this week.

The Branch kicked-off the Spring Break programs with an Anime Festival this past Saturday, the festival features Japanese animations/films, and eighty-two (82) people attended. The Branch was also able to utilize the DVD player Friends purchased for the festival - thank you, Friends! Other Spring Break programs included the Mad Hatter, that was earlier today, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon will be held this week.

Diane reported that the staff just held a quarterly all branch staff meeting and has welcomed three (3) new Circulation Assistants to the Branch; additionally, the Branch Manager from Spencer Branch works at Cascade eight (8) hours per week and starting in May a Librarian from East Grand Rapids will be working at Cascade 24 hours per week. Currently, Cascade has twenty-two (22) on staff (not counting the shared staff).

Diane summarized the Branch Report by noting that Laura is working on a volunteer appreciation tea party for May 5th from 4 - 6 p.m.

Friends Report: Debbie reported that the March book sale only raised $350.00 and Lynne Marie noted that February Perpetual sale, however, raised $1,800. The Friends were able to purchase a new cash register with some of the money.

Debbie also shared that the April 28th Luncheon will feature Priscilla and Larry Massie presenting historical cooking.

The Friends are also gearing up for the July 4th Book Sale and will begin raising awareness for the Library's Expansion Project. Debbie noted that Maureen is working with John Warnock and letters to the residents will be going out once the brochures are available. Debbie said the Board Members would be forming a fundraising sub-committee for the expansion project focusing on the families and how they can help support the project and will include the penny-drive fundraiser.

Building Committee Report: Diane noted things are constantly changing and lots of thought is being given regarding the expansion project.

Diane noted that the expansion has been squared off to provide additional room for the Township Board and other township commissions to hold meetings at the library. This additional space will allow for the council table and chairs to be placed on a six (6) inch dais.

The circulation desk was reviewed with the architect and the correct dimensions will accommodate self-check stations as well as a staffed check out station.

She also said that she drove to Holland to see the conveyor system of one of the possible conveyor providers.

The Friends will have a circular slide for the donated books to go into the basement.

Lockers will be installed near the donation drop for patrons who need to pick up their items during off-hours. Diane explained that the locker area would have two (2) secured doors for entry, both accessed through key codes. The first door will provide access into a glass enclosed entry and second door will be the locker itself. There will be twenty-four (24) lockers of various sizes. The Wyoming Branch utilizes the lockers and it works very well for them.

Diane then noted that the biggest change is the current book shelving arrangement needs to be rearranged. Because the program room entrance will be on the right side of the library (upon entering the branch), it makes sense to put the children's area close to the program room, or on the right side of the branch instead of the left. This placement would allow children easier access to their collection before and after programs. The children's shelving is lower than the shelving currently on the right side of the branch; lower shelving allows for better visibility into the expansion entrance as well as the Historical room. Since the teen materials will be moved near the Teen Room, this "flip-flop" moves the teens away from the preschoolers, which is a good thing. The adult collection will start on the left side of the branch, next to the teens, and progress right; the adult audiovisual will be next to the youth audiovisual areas.

Diane noted the carpeting is starting to show wear and pulling in high traffic areas and she has proposed replacing the carpeting when the book stacks are moved rather than waiting 2-3 more years and the book stacks would have to be moved again. If carpeting is changed, it would be helpful to have different colors to define the children's area. Half walls to define the youth area are also being considered; new signs will be placed once all the changes are made.

The Board discussed a number of changes to the placement of the Early Literacy room, study rooms, Friends book sale room and the Historical room to better accommodate the children and keep their area safe.

Diane also noted that she provided the interior designer the interior color scheme for the Literacy Room.

Marion noted various plaques throughout the Library acknowledging supporters, and asked if the plaques will remain after the expansion project and Diane confirmed they would.

Diane also noted that she is looking into elementary-level seating for the children and tables for the program room. There will be preschool-sized chairs in the Literacy Room.

Chuck said he would speak with Historical Society regarding possibly moving the Historical Room further East and asked Diane to obtain an updated sketch showing the changes described and discussed by the Board.

Finance Committee Report: Chuck said phone calls haven't really started yet and some of the plans have been delayed by a couple of weeks. The new stationary had a typo in someone's name and needs to be re-done with the correction. He noted that Lynne Marie has been working with Ada Township and hopefully they will have a decision by mid/late April regarding their contribution. Ada may be able to contribute to an area of the Library and the suggestion was made to see if they would contribute towards the new Chidren's area. Chuck noted that half of the funds are there without really soliciting the community; this is wonderful! No further discussion.

Emerging Items: Chuck reviewed the Proposed Action he placed on the agenda and discussed the financials of the Skutt and Good Funds. Lynne Marie doesn't believe this action is necessary at this time. Holly supported Lynne Marie's thoughts and supported the Proposed Action but felt it was a little early to implement but to include it on the agenda for the May LAB meeting for review.

Diane introduced the Board to the Knameless Knight and noted that names are being submitted to name him. He will be the mascot for the Summer Reading Club. The winner of the name selected will receive a gift certificate to Schuler's.

No further discussion.

Next Meeting:
The next Cascade Township Library Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Monday, May 2, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library's Program Room.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

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