Call to Order: President Bogue called the meeting of the Duluth Public Library Board to order at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. On a motion by Katz, seconded by D'Allaird, the agenda was approved with the addition of regional library funding under old business.

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

Approval of Minutes
On a motion by D'Allaird, seconded by Brissett, the library board minutes of the regular meeting of April 24 were approved as drafted.

Reports
A. Friends of the Duluth Public Library - Markert
The Friends' annual meeting took place last Tuesday, May 15, and new officers were elected. The new president is Linda Hanson, the new vice president is Carleen Nelson, the new secretary is Liz Pearson, and the co-treasurers are Mary Schlosser and Jill Brozic. In addition, four new members were welcomed to the board. The Friends have joined the Chamber of Commerce, and there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with Chamber ambassadors on Tuesday, June 12 as the book sale is starting.

B. Arrowhead Library System - Brissett
Public library directors within the Arrowhead system are choosing their representative on the ALS board. The first vote resulted in a tie, so a runoff election is taking place. ALS continues to prepare for its merger with NCLC. In June there will be a joint meeting of the two boards, and the new board will be seated on July 1. All of the counties within the ALS region, with the exception of St. Louis, have approved the merger. Whitney Crettol will begin strategic planning for ALS this month. The ALS board has passed a proposal to equalize Legacy Amendment funds among regional library systems based on area, population, and other factors. This proposal will mean less funding for ALS but a more fair distribution overall. The League of Minnesota Cities has published a report from its community conversations, and libraries were mentioned several times as important services. ALS is a net lender to metro libraries according to the most recent interlibrary loan statistics. The legislature has allocated $1 million for public library accessibility grants for the biennium. These will be competitive grants. The ALS website now has a calendar of upcoming Legacy programs. There was discussion about county representation on the new ALS board.

C. Duluth Library Foundation - Katz
Katz is no longer president of the foundation board. The new president is Terry Teich, the vice president is John Kelly, and Mark Melhus continues to serve as treasurer. Ann Glumac will be facilitating a strategic planning process for the board in June.

D. Stability in Funding Committee - D'Allaird
This committee has not met since the last library board meeting.

E. One Book, One Community - Brissett
The committee has chosen three books for young people this year: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (a picture book), Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge (a graphic novel), and Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett (for middle readers). Susan Vreeland, the author of the adult selection, will be making an appearance in the region, and Brissett has approached Blue Balliett about doing programs at schools. Possible program topics include a talk and tour of Tiffany windows in Duluth, a lecture on regional labor issues and women in the labor force in the early 20th century, an antique appraisal centered on glass or early 20th century items, and a demonstration of stained glass art by a local expert. Ideas for children's programs will be discussed at the next committee meeting, which is scheduled for October 30.

Old Business:
Regional funding. D'Allaird reported that City Councilor Dan Hartman is looking at other potential models for funding the library. Slade and Jewell will keep in contact with him. Jewell will try to expedite Jim Weikum's appearance before the St. Louis County Board, as this is necessary before the ALS/NCLC merger can proceed.

New Business:
ALS integrated library system. Powers explained to the board that ALS is exploring options for replacing its Horizon system. DPL staff will be participating in the process, because DPL has the option of joining the shared system.

Circulation policy draft. Several suggestions were made to improve the wording. Powers and Bogue will work together to update the draft before the next meeting.

Communications/Correspondence:
Manager's Report. No questions or comments.

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. and was followed by a tour of the North Shore Room.
The next meeting will take place Tuesday, June 26 in the library's conference room.

2/13/13
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802