SHAKER HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees
Special Meeting
Monday, July 14, 2008
Attendance
Members Present: Ms. Allen, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Miller, Ms. Shatten
Members Absent: Mr. Anderson, Dr. Hutt, Dr. Whyte
Staff Present: Mr. Dickinson
Others: Evelyn Krent, League of Women Voters Representative
Jane Wood, This Week in Shaker
Mr. McGovern called the special meeting of the Shaker Heights Public Library Board of Trustees to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Main Library Boardroom.
President’s Report
A. Selection of Architectural Firm for Renovation and Redesign
Mr. McGovern reported that eight firms had responded to our RFP and that a committee comprised of staff and Board members had selected four finalists who were invited to make presentations on July 10. He said Jeanne Shatten, Kurt Miller, and Judy Allen had been part of the final review team along with seven library staff members. Ms. Shatten commented that the selection process was well organized and went smoothly. She said that we could not have gone wrong with any of the four finalists and that each had their own strengths. In the end, the committee recommended Van Dyke Architects. The consensus was that Van Dyke had the best vision and creativity when it came to public libraries, and that the small size of the firm would not be a disadvantage since ours is a relatively small project.
2008-54 Ms. Shatten moved and Ms. Allen seconded the motion to negotiate a contract with Van Dyke Architects pending positive response from references.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Allen, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Miller, Ms. Shatten
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Ms. Allen suggested that the Library host a “Meet the Architect” event, at the proper time, to introduce Mr. Van Dyke to the community and to showcase some of his ideas. She also suggested that we keep in mind some of the ideas generated during the architectural presentations: 1) the use of large pictures of famous authors on the walls; 2) the possibility of using a circular stack arrangement for better supervision by staff; 3) the need to visually connect the first and second floors of the Main Library; 4) the consideration of “marrying” the Teen Center and the Young Adult collection (which are on separate floors); 5) the building of a grand or open staircase; 6) the alignment of the Children’s area and Play & Learn Station; 7) and the question of whether off-site warehousing could replace the need for creating new storage space onsite.
B. Other
Mr. McGovern noted that Mr. Dickinson would be making a presentation about the Library to City Council at City Hall at 7 p.m., following the special meeting of the Library Board and invited the other Trustees present to attend.
A. Written Report
Mr. Dickinson informed the Board, that shortly after the June 9 regular meeting, the state legislature completed its approval of HB 562, which establishes the Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration. The 15-member commission is charged with looking at ways in which local governments might collaborate. Its report must be completed by July 1, 2010.
As mentioned in the monthly Director’s Report, the Shaker Library has been awarded a $16,433 grant from Cuyahoga County through the summer of 2008 “Out-of-School-Time” program. These funds will help extend Teen Center hours, as well as to buy gaming systems (such as the Nintendo Wii) and pay for a variety of arts and cultural programming for young adults, throughout the remainder of July and the month of August.
It was also learned late last week that the South Shaker Neighborhood Council, of which the Shaker Library is an important part, was notified it is being awarded a $175,000 planning grant through the Cleveland Foundation’s Youth Development Initiative. The six-month planning project will aim to establish a plan to meet the out-of-school-time needs of students aged 6 to 18 in South Shaker, which includes the Ludlow, Moreland, Lomond, and Sussex neighborhoods. If the group is successful, it could be in line for as much as $350,000 annually in operational grants from the Foundation.
Mr. Dickinson introduced Matthew Tompkins, who will be filling the Library’s new full-time Security Supervisor position. Mr. Tompkins is a retired Shaker Heights policeman and has worked security at the Shaker, Cleveland Heights, and Warrensville schools. He began work today and will be scheduling the library’s annual meeting with school and city officials to discuss security concerns prior to the beginning of the school year in August. Mr. Tompkins will also be providing special training to all library employees at our annual Staff Day, which will be held at the new Cleveland Heights-University Heights main library on September 12.
B. Resolution of Commendation for Susan Paces
2008-55 Ms. Allen moved and Mr. Miller seconded the motion to approve a resolution of commendation for Susan Paces, Adult Services Associate, on her retirement on June 30, after twelve years of service, which began July 1996.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Allen, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Miller, Ms. Shatten
Nays: None. Motion carried.
New Business
A. Personnel Actions (information only)
Benjamin Pogany, Adult Services Associate, Half-time, Level 109, hired effective June 1, 2008
Krystal Dennis, Public Relations Administrative Clerk, Half-time, Level 106, resigned effective June 30, 2008
Susan Paces, Adult Services Associate, Half-time, Level 109, retired effective June 30, 2008
Reginald Rudolph, Circulation Assistant, Half-time, Level 106, resigned effective July 9, 2008
Matthew Tompkins, Security Supervisor, Full-time, Level 109, hired effective July 14, 2008
Community Comments
None
Announcements
None
Adjournment
Mr. McGovern said that there being no further business, board members unanimously agreed to adjourn the special board meeting at 6:25 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Shaker Heights Public Library Board of Trustees will be Monday, September 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom at Main Library.
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Ken McGovern, President
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David D. Piskac, Fiscal Officer
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Jeanne Shatten, Secretary