pages: LibraryBoard/2008-09-10.pdf, 4
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LibraryBoard | 2008-09-10 | 4 | Page 4 of 4 Minutes of the Alameda Free Library Board Meeting September 10, 2008 The Library has received grant award letters for "On-Line Homework Help" through Tutor.com and also for "Digital Story-Telling", but no money will be forthcoming until the State's budget passes. The Library/City budget is looking very grim. The Real Property Transfer Tax (Measure P) would benefit the Library if it passes, but it doesn't have a champion at this point and employees of the City/Library can't lobby for it. Member Butter indicated that the League of Women Voters just came out in favor of the measure, however, and it will be listed on their website urging people to vote yes. The City is putting together a factual presentation to show people where their City dollars are spent. It must be factual and non-partisan. The acting Finance Director was brought in to be a change agent, and is keeping everyone within their budget lines. The Library has been asked to come up with a plan for an additional 5% cut, so a variety of scenarios are being prepared, including completely eliminating one of the Main's regular open days or totally closing one of the branches. Director Chisaki went on to speak about Veicon, who is the vendor that manages our thin client (public computers) and print system. There have been numerous problems for which Veicon has been given deadlines to make fixes on, but they have not successfully responded to all issues. The City Attorney has been involved with all of this, so is well aware of what is going on; it is very likely that we will discontinue service through Veicon. Talks are already underway with Envisionware who manages the Computer Lab equipment; they will do an install for us but don't manage thin client systems, so David Boxton will take over the administration of this piece. Chisaki will keep the Board updated as things move forward with the vendor change. On the upside of things, the Library is very popular. Storytimes have reconvened and the children are glad to be back after summer break. There have not been any incidents as yet with the students, which is always a good thing. Ideas are being formulated for our next Community Reads program. This year's program will have a mystery theme. The Foundation will be asked to help fund this series. Per a request from Member Butter, Chisaki talked a little about the gift from the Shrader Family Trust. The Shrader's lived in Alameda a long time ago, moving to Berkeley in the late "70s. The lawyer didn't have much information about the Shrader's and urged Chisaki to get in touch with the trustees. Chisaki is waiting for a call back at this point. The money has been deposited into the Memorial Fund; Chisaki would like to buy a new TeleCirc system that will cost approximately $12,000 with part of it. ADJOURNMENT President Belikove asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Member Mitchell so moved; Vice President Hartigan seconded the motion which carried by a 5-0 vote. Respectfully submitted, Jane Chisaki, Library Director and Secretary to the Library Board | LibraryBoard/2008-09-10.pdf |