Call to Order: President Dan D'Allaird called the meeting of the Duluth Public Library Board to order at 4:35 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, and reviewed the agenda.

Members Present: Dan D'Allaird, Sister Edith Bogue, Liz Benson Johnson, Virginia Katz, Printha Markert, Martha Watson
Also Present: Carla Powers
Excused: Jane Brissett, Andrew Slade
Absent: Peter Spooner

Approval of Minutes
The Library Board minutes of the March 23, 2010 meeting were approved, with the correction that the date of the minutes approved at the March 23 meeting should be February 23 (not January 26).

Reports
A. Friends of the Duluth Public Library - Markert
The Friends are considering having a float in the Spirit Valley Days Parade on August 5. A book fair will take place at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, May 1. A portion of the proceeds of items sold in the store that day and online that week will be donated to the Friends, if the purchaser presents a voucher. Friends are organizing a craft project for kids, a poetry reading and a hand spinning demonstration at the store that day. A media sale will take place at the library May 7 and 8.

B. Arrowhead Library System - Brissett
No report available this month.

C. Meeting with Mayor Ness - D'Allaird
D'Allaird summarized the March 24 luncheon meeting attended by several board members. One of the topics of discussion was the possibility of creating an independent authority to oversee the library. Consensus was to contact the consultant who will be facilitating the library's strategic plan. With her consent, a committee could be formed to investigate options for new sources of library funding. Committee recommendations would be fed into the strategic planning process.

D. State Annual Report - Powers
Copies of the annual report were distributed to board members via email, and there was some discussion about the format of the report and possible uses for some of the data. The 2009 report has been submitted and approved by the State Library.

Old Business
Review of Bulletin Board and Free Materials Policy - Powers handed out a revised policy, which was discussed and further revised. Watson volunteered to finalize the changes and submit it for approval at the next meeting.

Legislative Auditor's Report
Powers gave an update on legislative action so far. The House Cultural and Outdoor Resources Committee, chaired by Mary Murphy, is planning to hold an additional hearing to get input from cities and counties. No date has been set.

New Business
Election of At-Large Position on ALS Board - The board cast a unanimous ballot for Beth Kelly. The printed ballot was filled out and signed, and Powers will return it to ALS.

Hiring Shelvers - Powers reported that Job Action Forms have been approved for nine 13-hour-per-week shelver positions. he positions have been advertised, and many of the people who applied are former paid shelvers or current volunteers. Background checks are currently being done, and the plan is to have the shelvers on board before the end of May.

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. in the Library's Conference Room.

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Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802