pages: LibraryBoard/2011-12-14.pdf, 2
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LibraryBoard | 2011-12-14 | 2 | Page 2 of 7 Minutes of the Alameda Free Library Board Meeting December 14, 2011 UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Library Strategic Plan/Update (J. Chisaki). Following the Board's direction, Strategic Plan Goals 3 and 7 were presented for discussion: The Board approved the format presented by the Library Director. Director Chisaki indicated that a materials count is currently underway at the Libraries to determine in-house use/survey to confirm staff's belief that the library is as busy as it was prior to cuts in hours and staff and to confirm circulation numbers. President Atkin requested a breakdown of each of the items for discussion and asks the Board if they would like to talk about them; the Board agreed. GOAL 3: VISITORS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARIES WILL HAVE SAFE, WELCOMING, AND COMFORTABLE SPACES TO USE THE LIBRARIES' RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS AND TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER. Objective 1: Eighty-five percent of Alameda residents will express in a community survey that the neighborhood libraries are safe, welcoming, and comfortable spaces. The Library has not conducted a survey. The Library does not have the funding to conduct a survey similar to the one used during the strategic planning process. It may be possible to do a "Survey Monkey" online survey at a future date. The City has conducted so many online surveys in the past few weeks that the community may be tired of online surveys. In-house surveys always produce overwhelming positive results because you are "preaching to the choir." Objective 2: Attendance at the neighborhood libraries as measured by door count will increase by 10% per year. Full year statistics are not available and it was recently discovered that the door counters at all three locations probably are working properly. One of the counters at the West End Library is mounted just high enough that many children are not counted! Discussion: Board Member Hartigan asked for an explanation as to why the door counters were not working. Director Chisaki explained the counters work off of an electric eye. The counters are not good quality, and they count coming and going, so the total numbers are cut in half. Some counters are plugged into light switches, and when the switch is turned off the counter resets. Also, at the West End Branch the "eye" was located at a level too high to count young children. We are looking for better quality counters to more efficiently track our numbers. Board Member Hartigan expressed concern with the steady fall in numbers, and suggested to find an alternative count method. Further inquired about the number of reads of the counters per month. President Atkin also suggested the hours of operation should be taken into consideration and attendance of programs. Also, it may seem busier because of the cut in hours and the number of people visiting the libraries, the attendance and the use of the collection? In response to President Atkin's concerns, Director Chisaki clarified that programs are not driven by numbers and funding, but by staffs' interests and community input. Board Member Hartigan suggested documenting the number of programs; but understand we do have budget issues and concerns, and then later can come back to Council and indicate this is what the community wants. Do not just add it so we can meet our goal and go on to the next one. Board member Whyte | LibraryBoard/2011-12-14.pdf |