LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES - Lincoln City Libraries

Library Board Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 10December 19, 2006cataloging the books and just put them out in a pile for the public to dig through but thatwouldn’t make any sense. There is also the public service aspect beyond checking out a bookbut also staff to answer questions, plan and present programs to promote literacy with children.You have to decide if you want to shrink the organization, shrink the system and keep the fullscope of services, do you want to pull out parts of the services and keep the building? Those arethe kinds of things Administration needs to know. What approach does staff take in preparing abudget? Years ago the philosophy was that the main library was the heart of the library systemwith everything else being cut before the main library. Direction from the Board is needed. Doyou want us to look at eliminating the Reference Department? Do you want us to look ateliminating children’s services? Do you want us to look at closing units or keep all the buildingsopen but reduce hours? The Board needs to determine its priorities.Ms. Anderson stated that it is the Board’s responsibility to provide the parameters for LibraryAdministration to prepare a budget.Mr. O’Hanlon stated that the last thing he would want to do would be to cut services and mediabecause if you cut branches and reduce hours people would still have access to what we have.Lincoln is not that big that you cannot drive to another branch. If the hours are reduced, thepublic will come when the library is open. The biggest mistake would be to reduce what is at thelibrary when the public gets there.Ms. Anderson agreed that the Library needs to continue to provide current services. Cuts willhave to come from bricks and mortar. The same service needs to be provided but in fewerlocations with less hours. Ms. Anderson stated that it would be irresponsible of the Board to notlook at levels of Administrative positions and those things that are not directly related to pubicservice so it has been at least looked at and determined if any adjustment can be made. If it isdecided to close a branch, City Administration is going to want to make sure that LibraryAdministration was looked at. Is that something the committee needs to look at?Mrs. Connor explained she can provide costs. In the past this has been done at the FinanceCommittee level.Mrs. Anderson asked Mrs. Connor to look at the administrative structure and bring informationto the committee for review and discussion.Ms. Cupp asked if this would be reported on at the January meeting. Can the Board wait untilthe January meeting to set priorities?Mrs. Connor explained the personnel portion of the budget has to be submitted by February 16 thwith the remainder being submitted by March 2 nd .Mr. O’Hanlon stated that setting priorities at the January meeting would work with the timeline.Mrs. Connor reminded board members that in February there are two Board meetings. At thefirst meeting the Finance Committee presents its budget recommendation to the board and thepublic can make comment. At the second meeting, the Board takes action.