(Approved May 17, 2008)
04-12-2007
7:45 a.m.
Paseo Verde Library
Call to Order
Herb Hunter, Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:50 a.m.
Roll Call
Board Members Present:
Robyn Carr, Richard Derrick, Todd Hauge, Herb Hunter, John SimmonsBoard Members Absent:
Colleen Bell, Jacob SnowStaff Present:
Debbie Englund, Tom Fay, Dennis Espero, Orin Fielding, Kathy Franklin, George Greicar, Mae Giaimo, Sean Hill, Gayle Hornaday, Janet Mastalir, Michelle Mazzanti, Lynn Miller, Laurie Orton, Kristy Price, Mary Spiller, Joy St. John, Joan Vaughan, Elizabeth WestenburgOthers Present:
Mike Carter, Carter InvestmentsApproval of Agenda
Todd Hauge made a motion to approve the agenda. Robyn Carr seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Approval of Minutes
Todd Hauge made a motion to approve the agenda. Robyn Carr seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Review of Paid Invoices
The invoices were accepted with no comment.
Director's Report
Security Report: No major issues to report. Federal LSTA grant letters have been received. Congratulations to: Laurie Orton, Project Manager for One Book Program; Evelyn Walkowicz, Project Manager for Bright Beginnings; Florica Hagendorn, Project Manager for mini-grant for Readers Theater. Embarq has agreed to provide a $150,000 sponsorship for the Live Homework Help and 24/7 Ask a Librarian Reference service for two years. This will roll out with the new school year in August. Quarterly Reports: Gayle Hornaday distributed circulation statistics. March was another record month, up over 10% from the previous year. Library card issuance is up 20% over the previous year. The collections company has collected over $30,000 in materials and $6,000 in cash so far this year. Mae Giaimo said Marcie Smedley, Young Adult Librarian at Gibson, brought in author Neal Shusterman who spoke to 450 students at the libraries and local schools as part of an LSTA grant. The Ask Me program will bring a point-of-need service to patrons; because some patrons are intimidated by going to the Reference Desk in a larger library, the Ask Me program will provide a mobile reference librarian in the stacks. The program contains three essential elements: The mobile librarian will have a tablet PC to research questions while away from the reference desk; a cordless telephone will accompany the mobile librarian to do shelf checks or to refer patrons to another part of the library from the stacks; the mobile librarian will wear an apron that says “ASK ME” on it. This program will start on an experimental basis at Gibson Library. Mary Spiller reported on the Pittman Library and Outreach. The bookmobile had approximately 300 visitors and over 500 checkouts in March. The Mission Hills stop had the highest circulation. Senior patrons are calling regularly asking for materials. The bookmobile participated in the Family Spring Fling and will participate in the Spring Sensational Parade, Berenstain Bears and Teddy Bear Picnic later this month. Bright Beginnings enrichment storytimes began in January and were attended by 35 preschoolers at Robert Taylor Elementary School every week for 8 weeks. CT Sewell Elementary programs drew three families for the 0-3 year-olds program. These programs will be repeated next fall. A busy summer is planned. Pittman Library programs: Cyberclub attracted the participation of 69 children; 12 children came 4 times or more. Laurie Orton reported that Malcolm Library Youth Services’ storytimes had 305 people in attendance. Special Programs: Braille, Valentine Cards, Chinese New Year’s, Zoo-sational Birthday Party (to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday). 6 teens tried out for Henderson Teens Got Talent; teens created locker magnets and braided light switches. Adult programs: 35 people attended computer classes; 24 people attended Adult Book Chat. Janet Mastalir on Paseo Verde Library programs: Henderson Teens Got Talent attracted a variety of performers and was well-attended; Youth Services also has been presenting Raise a Brighter Child programs, including a presentation by a family therapist and a pediatric dentist. Authors Antonio Sacre and Neal Shusterman visited. Last week the Scholastic Booksale sold over $8,000 worth of products, a success which nets free products for Youth Services programs. Adults: Reference Librarians Stephen Platt and Madhu Kadiyala started a Classics Book Club; Reference Librarian Arlene Caruso now hosts a foreign film series each month. Stephen Platt presented two What’s It Worth programs to help patrons learn how to determine the value of books. The computer classes all have waiting lists. The AARP tax assistants have provided tax help to patrons on a regular basis for the past two months. Tax forms have been available at the Reference Desk. The C-Span Book TV Bus set up in the parking lot last month to promote C-Span’s programming of non-fiction books and authors. Assemblyman Bob Beers held two public forums meeting in the Reading Room. Florica Hagendorn is in Texas presenting the Reading with Rover program to TLA [Texas Library Association]; her expenses were paid by TLA. Betsy Johnson is in Portland, Oregon is at Collaborative Summer Reading Program, representing NLA [Nevada Library Association]; NLA is paying the expenses. Janet Mastalir attended the MPLA [Mountain Plains Library Association]-New Mexico Library Association conference in Albuquerque; the expenses were paid by NLA. Sean Hill demonstrated usage of the final design for the self-check station. The receipt printer has been enhanced for improved functionality. There will be twelve self-check units district-wide. Herb Hunter asked if there will be help available. Sean Hill said yes, especially for the debut period. Herb Hunter asked if books can be returned through self-check. Sean Hill explained that returning books is not a function of self-check. Kristy Price said the golf tournament/Author Cruise is on April 30th. Popular Illusionist Chriss Angel will be in the Paseo Verde Library Reading Room for a Carr Chat May 16th. There has been a lot of interest generated by this program and all available tickets have been distributed. Harry Turtledove will be at the Paseo Verde Library for a Carr Chat on May 17th. Tom Fay said the parade and chili cook off will be on April 21st. All are invited to come out and vote for Henderson Libraries’ award-winning chili! The bookmobile will be Henderson Libraries’ entry in the Spring Sensational parade.
New Business
Discussion and possible Board action regarding possible change in provider of long-term and short-term disability insurance.
Lynn Miller, Human Resources Specialist, explained that the long-term and short-term disability insurance contract is up with UNUM. Quotes and rates have been reviewed. The recommendation is to go with MetLife. John Simmons asked if a rate guarantee for a two-year period is the norm. Mike Carter, of Carter Investments, explained that a two year guarantee of rates is the industry norm. The MetLife quote is actually a savings over the previous UNUM rates. John Simmons asked if the employees have been happy with the package. Tom Fay explained that the employees have been happy with services. The lowest bid, submitted by Mutual of Omaha, doesn’t include employee travel assistance which has been used by current employees. Tom Fay added that rate increases can’t be controlled, but by reviewing bids, rates can be kept reasonable while providing the best possible plan to employees. John Simmons made a motion to accept MetLife as provider of long-term and short-term disability insurance for Henderson Libraries. Richard Derrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Discussion and Board action regarding approval of the tentative FY08 budget
The tentative budget was distributed: Richard Derrick found one error on page 5. The property tax and revenue reconciliation showed the wrong number in the allowed tax rate. This has been corrected. Tom Fay said the proforma came in from the treasurer; the index tax rate increase that was requested was granted, raising the index rate from 5.3 cents to 5.82 cents per $100,000 of valuation. The budget will be evaluated on a quarterly basis with a major assessment in January to ensure the revenues come in as projected. The consolidated tax was budgeted at less than last year. The Consolidated tax, Special Use tax and Sales tax projections have not been coming in as well. The economic indicators show that the entire area of Clark County had only 1% growth in January over last year. Development has slowed and equity has been cashed out; in essence the money train has stopped. Henderson Libraries’ budget will be planned at less funding than the state has predicted just to be conservative and safe.
The budget reflects a steady balance of staff will be maintained to ensure customer service. Some part-time jobs have been added.
A little over a million dollars will be set aside this year for the Green Valley Library. This savings is possible because the staff has been very conservative, creative and diligent in seeking alternate funding resources for programming and operations.
The next fiscal year will be impacted greatly with the acquisition of the Green Valley Library. Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is keeping to their timeline for exiting the Green Valley Library. Henderson Libraries will be gaining possession in January or February of 2009. There will be expenses for improvements to the library. Staff is brainstorming the cheapest and quickest way to make needed improvements. The move-in process will take about 90 days. The bookmobile will be utilized to provide service to the Green Valley Library patrons and book drop off/pick up points are being discussed.
John Simmons asked about the budgeted increase of $1,200 for electricity. With Nevada Power requesting significant increases, will that be enough? Tom Fay said the situation is being monitored and additional changes may be made to the final budget.
John Simmons asked if all libraries have a landscape maintenance company. Tom Fay replied that the Paseo Verde Library has a landscaping service; Gibson and Pittman are maintained by the City of Henderson; Malcolm is maintained through the monthly maintenance fees of the developer.
John Simmons asked if the janitorial service has been satisfactory. Tom Fay responded yes, for what we pay.
Todd Hauge asked if we compared the percentage of salaries vs. budget and is the percentages comparable to similar entities? Tom Fay responded Henderson Libraries is lower than Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and significantly less than North Las Vegas Library District. With new revenue, Henderson Libraries is at 63%; overall revenue 54-55%. Many entities are at 60-70%. Richard Derrick said the City of Henderson is at 73-74% and the school district is at 90%.
Richard Derrick said he reviews 14 budgets every year and Henderson Libraries’ budget is very thorough; the reserves are good; there are many conservative elements built into the budget; the staff does a very good job putting the budget together. Tom Fay said Debbie Englund and her staff work very hard to make it happen.
John Simmons made a motion to approve the tentative FY08 budget. Richard Derrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Old Business
Discussion regarding 2007 Legislative Session.
Bill AB551 will be heard tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. in Assembly Ways and Means committee. This bill contains the $1.2 million in collection funds, wrapped up with every one-shot the Cultural Affairs Department is requesting. It will be a long session. The governor asked one-shots to be cut by 50%, however this has not affected the collection funds thus far. Tom Fay said collection funding may not be put in the base budget this year, as long as it gets out of committee it will be a good thing. Tom Fay will be contacting Assembly Ways and Means committee members today talking about the importance of their support for the collection funds. $70-90,000 will likely be received by Henderson Libraries for collection development funding for the biennium.
The next month will decide how tax revenues may be impacted by the Legislature and Tom Fay will keep the board informed.
Announcements
The next Board meeting will be held on May 17, 2007 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, Nevada. Herb Hunter will not be at the May meeting.
Public Comment
Note: Pursuant to Nevada’s Open Meeting Law, action may not be taken on matters presented during this period until included on a future agenda as an action item.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
Pursuant to NRS 241.020, written notice of the meeting of Henderson District Public Libraries’ Board of Trustees was posted by Friday, April 6, 2007, at least three (3) business days before the meeting, including in the notice the time, place, location and agenda of the meeting. Details of the agenda may be obtained by calling 492-6584.
Posted at Paseo Verde Library, James I. Gibson Library, Lydia Malcolm Library, Pittman Library, City of Henderson-City Clerk’s Office, and the HDPL website.