Call to Order: President Dan D'Allaird called the meeting of the Duluth Public Library Board to order at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. On a motion by Watson, seconded by Spooner, the agenda was approved as drafted.

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

Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Slade, seconded by Spooner, the Library Board minutes of the regular meeting of February 22, 2011 meeting were approved. The March meeting was canceled.

Reports
A. Friends of the Duluth Public Library - Markert
The recent newsletter was sent out via postal mail due to problems sending it via email. With over $9000 in the checkbook, the Friends board voted to turn over $7500 to the library. The organization is looking for some new board members to round out the group. 50 people came to the Mystery Dinner on April 1. The video sale brought in over $1100. The Friends nominated Adele Krusz as Woman of the Year for the annual Port Cities Luncheon.

B. Friends/Foundation/Board Committee - D'Allaird
Representatives from the library's supporting organizations have begun meeting to come up with a unified message in support of the library. The group made a small handout that was distributed at the video sale and plans to continue to shape a message for how people can help keep the Duluth's libraries strong. There was discussion about whether or how to ask people to donate to the Friends or Foundation, perhaps by putting a "donate" box on the website.

C. One Book, One Community - Brissett
Brissett offered a wrap-up of this year's programs and attendance figures. In total 800 people participated in events surrounding Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The project came in slightly under budget. Planning is underway for the 2012 program. The library may coordinate with St. Scholastica, which is incorporating a book discussion into its centennial celebration.

D. Library Funding Task Force - D'Allaird
This group has wrapped up its work by drafting a problem statement that was sent to local state legislators, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties and the Minnesota Library Association. There seems to be some continuing interest in forming a library authority in Duluth. The board asked that City Councilors Dan Hartman and Jackie Halberg be invited to the May meeting.

Old Business:

New Business:
Laptop Policy - Watson made some revisions to the draft that Powers sent out. On a motion by Watson, seconded by Bogue, the policy as amended was provisionally approved. Powers will prepare a final draft for the next meeting.

"Guidelines for Using the Library" - There was discussion of this draft, which is designed to replace the current "Rules of the Library." The document will be renamed "Appropriate Library Behavior," and a section will be added to the effect that library staff have the authority to enforce the guidelines. The final draft will be reviewed at next month's meeting.

Fines for Electronic Equipment - Powers presented staff recommendations for daily and maximum fines for laptops, ereaders and MP3 players. There was discussion about how much differentiation to allow among the fines. Consensus was it would be a good idea to see about setting a range of fines when the City Council sets the fee schedule in the fall. Motion by Watson, seconded by Slade, to recommend Council approval of laptop fines of $50 per day with a maximum of $500; ereader fines of $5 per day with a maximum of $50; and MP3 player fines of $2 per day with a maximum of $20.

Upcoming Resignation - Watson announced her resignation effective in July, as she will be leaving the Duluth area.

Election of Officers - Watson moved, Slade seconded, to nominate the current officers to remain in office for the next year. The officers accepted the nomination. A vote will be held at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
The next meeting will take place Tuesday, May 24 at 4:30 p.m. in the library's conference room.

8/2/11
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802