THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

MINUTES
NORTHEAST LIBRARY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009

The regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday,
November 18, 2009 at the Northeast Library, 330 7th Street, NE, Donald Richardson,
Vice President, presiding.

PRESENT: Donald Richardson, Vice President, Bonnie Cohen, James Lewis, Myrna
Peralta, Kelley Smith, Ginnie Cooper, Chief Librarian and Secretary-Treasurer. Quorum
established.
ABSENT: John W. Hill, Jr., Richard Levy, Brenda Richardson

GUESTS AT THE BOARD TABLE: Susan Haight, President, Federation of Friends,

and Anna Velazco, Executive Director, DCPL Foundation.

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The motion to adopt the agenda was approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The motion was adopted to approve the minutes of the September 23 Board meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Richardson reminded everyone of the protocol to follow during Public Comments.
Two people signed up to make comments. Concerns about an accessible entrance at the
Mount Pleasant Library were expressed and a representative of the Stop and Listen
Foundation made a presentation.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Vice President Donald Richardson said that there is a great deal of excitement about the
planned openings of six new libraries in FY 2010 and that there continue to be concerns
about budgets for FY 2010 and FY 2011 but that the focus of the Board will be opening
new libraries and keeping services on track in existing libraries. He mentioned that the
library, especially in these challenging economic times, is dealing with ever-increasing
demands for use by the public. Mr. Richardson welcomed Susan Haight, newly elected
President of the Federation of Friends.

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CHIEF LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Chief Librarian Cooper reported on the opening of the new Teen Space at the MLKML in
October, including the major highlight of teens having the chance to talk with Redskins’
linebacker London Fletcher. She said that the Library has received a Preservation Award
given by the DC Historic Preservation Office for the Takoma Park restoration/renovation
work. Several libraries have partnered with Embassies of 27 European nations and other
city agencies on a fall “Kids Euro Festival”.

NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOD LIBRARY REPORT

Chang Liu, Associate Director for Neighborhood Libraries, thanked retired Manager
Karen Butler and Acting Manager, Julie Oliver for their work. Staff member Karen
Towles provided a report about recent activities at the Northeast Neighborhood Library
including an increase of 23% in circulation in FY 2009. Those attending also were
greeted by Northeast Friends President, Vince Morris.

RENOVATION AT NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY

Jeff Bonvechio, Director of Capital Construction, reported on the stages and areas of
outside renovation planned at Northeast including the landscaping plan. The landscaping
will take place with the spring planting season.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

Board members voted to approve a resolution, with the recommendation of the Finance
Committee, to increase employee parking fees in the garage at the MLKML from $50 to
$100 per month. Motion carried.

Agency Fiscal Officer Tammie Robinson reported on the preliminary final numbers for
FY 2009. She said that, as of September 30, 2009, 99.5% of the DCPL FY 2009 local
budget has been expended. Ms. Robinson also said that the FY 2010 budget is $4.2M
less than the FY 2009 baseline budget. Priority for FY 2010 is to open 6 new libraries.
Chief Business Officer, Eric Coard and Ms. Robinson provided information about the FY
2011 budget timeline and said that the Mayor’s office is asking all city agencies to come
up with a further 7% reduction from the FY 2010 baseline budget which will cut an
additional $2.5M from the Library’s budget in FY 2011.

FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT

Jeff Bonvechio reported on the status of current construction projects. He responded to
questions posed earlier during Public Comments about the ramp at the Mount Pleasant
Library. Mr. Bonvechio said that the existing ramp at the library does not meet current
ADA guidelines; that the DC Office of Disability Rights has approved the design for the
new ramp at the renovated Mount Pleasant Library; and that the new design is intended to
provide an equal entrance experience for all library users.

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PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORT
Nancy Davenport, Director of Library Services and Micki Freeny, Coordinator of Youth
Services, gave a report on Tutor.Com, the on-line homework help service provided by the
Library. The service is available every day year round from 2:00 pm to midnight in both
English and Spanish. Board members volunteered to promote this service and staff was
asked to send an e-mail to all Board members with details about the program that they
could broadly disseminate.

Director of Communications, Joi Mecks, reported on the Library’s newly revised web-
page. She said that the page is cleaner, crisper, easier to navigate, and includes new
features such as the ability to profile staff and volunteers. Especially useful and important
new features are the ability to book meeting rooms on-line and a more robust calendar of
events in addition to a separate page for every Neighborhood Library. Challenges which
are now being worked out include difficultly in putting materials on hold or renewing
materials online. Since the new web-site launched in October, there has been a 100%
increase in hits.

PUBLIC SERVICES REPORT

Ms. Davenport gave statistics on circulation and programs from around the Library
system. She also gave details on the use of meeting rooms and computer use. Ms.
Davenport reminded Board members and others that the move to shorter hours in March
and fewer evening hours has affected attendance everywhere, especially in adult
attendance at programs and the use of meeting rooms.

FOUNDATION PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Anna Velazco, Executive Director of the DC Public Library Foundation, gave updates on
the Fall Fundraising Appeal, the Georgetown Recovery and Restoration Fund, and
highlighted many programs that the Library is able to offer thanks to Foundation support
such as the STAR program – “Sing, Talk and Read” for very young readers and
enhancement items for the new Teen Scene at the MLKML.

FEDERATION OF FRIENDS REPORT

Susan Haight reported that there are 16 active Friends groups that are members of the
Federation and she hopes there will be three more by the end of the year. Ms. Haight
provided a report of programs and activities initiated and supported by the various
Friends groups.

NEW BUSINESS
There being no new business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

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