Chair Bob Adams called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Board members present were Curt Benward, Joyce Day, Roger Gould, Jon Littlefield, Ralph Mohr, and Rondi Potter. Coos Bay City Manager Scott McClure was present. Friends of the Library President Marie Benton was present. Staff members present were Ellen Thompson and Carol Ventgen. Crystal Shoji of Shoji Planning and Development was present.

2.    MINUTES AND CIRCULATION REPORT

Roger moved approval of the minutes for the November 9, 2004, meeting. Curt seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. The circulation report for October was accepted as mailed.

3.     TREASURER’S REPORT The treasurer’s report for November was accepted as mailed. Carol reported that approximately $40.00 was spent from the Board’s account on supplies for the volunteer holiday brunch. She also distributed copies of library revenue and expenditure reports dated November 30, 2004, prepared by the Finance Director, showing the library is in a solid financial position.

4.     CORRESPONDENCE

A letter from County Clerk Terri Turi was received thanking the library staff for monitoring and servicing the ballot drop box during the November general election. The letter noted that this library returned 8,793 ballots overall, and had the highest number returned on Election Day, 1,875.

5.    PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments

6.     LIBRARIAN’S REPORT

The mailed report was discussed. Additional information was available on the children’s independent reading program, showing 1,652 entries from 206 participants. Copies of a “New and Forthcoming Books” list were distributed.

7.    FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT

Marie reported that the December book sale brought $1,679.05. A special sale on Sunday allowed the Friends to greatly reduce the number of books on hand. The next sale is February 5 and 6, 2005.

8.     OLD BUSINESS

a.     Library Planning Process – As a follow-up to the Board’s vote at the last Board meeting to accept Crystal Shoji’s proposal for a public meeting and survey, Crystal presented a draft agenda for the meeting. Suggestions had been forwarded to her from Jon Littlefield, Bob Adams, and Joyce Day, which Crystal said could be incorporated into her proposal at no additional cost. Details and timing of the meeting and survey were discussed. Jon moved, Ralph seconded, approval of Crystal Shoji’s proposal with a public meeting to be held in February, followed separately by a survey of library users and non-users, with reports on the results of both by June 1 for the Board to deliberate upon in the fall, 2005, as part of its goal-setting process, all for the total fee of $3,075 as submitted by her. The motion was approved unanimously.

a.     Letter to Staff – Bob presented a beautiful letter of thanks to the staff for everyone’s hard work and dedication during a stressful year. All Board members signed it. Carol will distribute copies to all staff members.

9.     NEW BUSINESS

a.   2004-2005 Budget – Carol said it is time to begin thinking about the new budget process that will begin in January. She mentioned a preliminary exercise she and other department heads are doing to examine various funding scenarios, which will be brought to the Board at the January meeting.

10.    ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

11.     ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, January 13, 5:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Ventgen, Secretary