THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

MINUTES
LAMOND-RIGGS NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008

The regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday,
November 19, 2008 at the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue,
NE, John W. Hill, Jr., President, presiding.

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

GUEST AT THE TABLE: Richard Huffine, President, Federation of Friends

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The motion to adopt the agenda was approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The motion was made and adopted to approve the minutes from the September 24 Board
meeting.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mr. Hill began by discussing the Tenley mixed use project. He highlighted the importance of
getting the proper contracts to City Council for approval so the building project could resume.
Mr. Hill called attention to Dr. Gandhi’s recent estimate of a $140M shortfall in revenue. The
Board is very concerned about the potential affect on the Library.

CHIEF LIBRARIAN’S REPORT

Ms. Cooper highlighted the success of the teen program, along with a number of other programs
from throughout the library system.

LAMOND-RIGGS NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY REPORT

Norberta Winborne, Neighborhood Library Manager, welcomed the Board and the public and
gave a brief history on the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, as well as some background on
the facilities that are made available for the community.

LIBRARY KIOSKS DISCUSSION AND RESOLUTION

Nancy Davenport reviewed the document in preparation for a Board discussion of whether the
libraries that are housed in kiosk-like buildings are able to deliver the standard of service that the

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library wishes to uphold. Mr. Hill proposed a motion to stop providing further service via the
kiosk-like buildings with the exception of the Parklands-Turner kiosk, and stipulated that the
kiosk-like buildings should be closed by the end of the calendar year. The Board voted and the
motion carried.

CONTRACTS REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

There was no report.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

Tammie Robinson reported on the FY 2008 budget and mentioned that the total budget for that
year was $45,239,345. She reported that the majority of library funds for FY 2008 have been
spent.

Eric Coard then delivered news about the FY 2009 budget. Mr. Coard mentioned that the FY09
budget has been reduced because the city is facing a deficit in FY 2009.

Mr. Coard said that the Library has submitted its technical adjustments to the City Council for
the FY 2010 budget. Mr. Hill expressed concerns about FY 2010, given that it is the fiscal year
during which many of the libraries that are now under construction or being renovated come
back online.

FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT

Jeff Bonvechio reported that all capital construction projects are on schedule. The Georgetown
Interim is scheduled to open on December 15. Also opening in December is the newly renovated
Adaptive Services division at MLK.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORT

Nancy Davenport reported on the Library’s proposed photography policy which explains the
Library’s method for ensuring that all photography done by outside parties on the Library’s
premises is conducted in an organized manner. By vote, the Board approved the policy.

PUBLIC SERVICES REPORT

Nancy Davenport highlighted accomplishments of some of the programs that were held by the
Library during FY 2008, including having distributed 10,000 free books to children during the
summer. She also mentioned a focus on adult learning within the library system, including
seminars on both financial wellness and health.

BUSINESS SERVICES REPORT

There was no report given at this time.

FOUNDATION PRESIDENT’S REPORT

There was no report given at this time.

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FEDERATION OF FRIENDS PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Richard Huffine began by speaking about his work with the Friends of the Library. He also
mentioned a need for the Friends to engage the community so that they’ll know who can become
a Friend of the Library and will understand clearly how to do so. Mr. Huffine suggested that all
Board members receive a tour of the new security system that is being put into place at MLK
Memorial Library.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no additional new business.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
At the beginning of the Public Comments portion of the meeting, President Hill reviewed the
policy about time limits per person during public comments and opened the floor.

Comments were given about the amount of advance notice that is given before such important
community meetings as Hopes and Dreams meetings. There were also concerns expressed about
the closing of the kiosk-like buildings throughout the library system. Comments were made
about the involvement of the community in making decisions about the outcome of the
revitalization of the neighborhood libraries, and also about the physical design of the buildings
themselves.

Meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

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