Chair Bob Adams called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Board members present were Curt Benward, Joyce Day, Jon Littlefield, Ralph Mohr, and Rondi Potter. Roger Gould was not able to attend. No Friends of the Library representative was present. Staff members present were Ellen Thompson and Carol Ventgen.

2.    MINUTES AND CIRCULATION REPORT

Rondi moved approval of the minutes for the October 14, 2004, meeting. Curt seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. The circulation report for October was discussed and accepted as mailed.

3.     TREASURER’S REPORT

The treasurer’s report for October was accepted as mailed.

4.     CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

5.    PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments

6.     LIBRARIAN’S REPORT

The mailed report was discussed. Copies of a “New and Forthcoming Books” list were distributed. Joyce added that she wanted to acknowledge the library staff’s hard work under stressful conditions during the past year, to thank them for “grace under pressure.” Joyce moved that the Board send a letter of thanks to the staff. Curt seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Bob volunteered to write the letter and to bring it to the December Board meeting for everyone’s signature.

7.    FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT

No report was available, but Carol said the November sale was a big success. An unusually large number of books was included in the sale. [Note: sale proceeds were $2,183.] The next sale will be December 3 and 4. Carol reported that she had contacted Chris Rosman about the piano he had given to the library. It had not received much use and its presence in the Myrtlewood Room during book sales risked damage. Chris said he would be amenable to giving the piano to another non-profit organization where it might receive more use. Carol arranged with the Boys and Girls Club to take the piano and it was picked up Monday.

8.     OLD BUSINESS

a.     Library Planning Process – The topic was taken off the table from the last Board meeting. Various aspects of the topic were discussed, including budget, staff time available, benefits of a planning process, and possible scope and timeline for the planning. Jon then moved that the Board move forward with Crystal Shoji’s proposal for a planning process, to include a public meeting and survey, and that the Board meet with her at the next Board meeting to finalize details of the proposal. Ralph seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously. Board members will email their ideas about the process to Carol by December 1st so she can compile them and email all to the Board before the December Board meeting.

9.     NEW BUSINESS

a.   State Library Report – The report for the 2003-2004 fiscal year was discussed. In summary, tax base revenue was up but other revenues were down for a total decrease from the previous year of approximately $3,200; total expenditures for the year were approximately $32,000 higher than revenues; salary costs were down slightly from the previous year due to staff cuts late in the year, down one position, but employee benefit costs were up by over $17,000; despite a reduction in staff and cut of 4.5 open hours per week, usage was up over the previous year in visits to the library, circulation, reference questions asked, and attendance at programs.

b.  2005 Library Closures – A list of proposed holiday closures for the 2005 calendar year was distributed. After discussion, Jon moved approval of the closure calendar as proposed. Curt seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

10.    ANNOUNCEMENTS

The annual Christmas brunch to thank the library volunteers is being planned by staff. Board members are invited to attend. [The date is Thursday, December 9th, 9 to 11 a.m.]

11.     ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, December 9, 2004, 5:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Ventgen, Secretary