NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Board of Trustees Meeting December 17, 2013
Nashville Public Library Board of Trustees Agenda December 17, 2013 North Branch Library 1001 Monroe Street Nashville TN 37208 Meeting Room - 12:00 Noon I.
Call to order / Roll Call
II.
Metro Ordinance Required to be announced at all Board Meetings – Board Chair, Keith Simmons a. “Pursuant to the provisions of § 2.68.030 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, please take notice that decisions of the Nashville Public Library Board may be appealed to the Chancery Court of Davidson County for review under a common law writ of certiorari. Any appeal must be filed within sixty days after entry of a final decision by the Board. Any person or other entity considering an appeal should consult with an attorney to ensure that time and procedural requirements are met.”
III.
Introduce Visitors
IV.
Public Comment
V.
Board Chair Comments – Keith Simmons
VI.
Approval of Minutes: October 15th & November 19th 2013………………………………………….pg. 1 - 8
VII.
Library Director Report a. Kent Oliver b. Friends of the Bellevue Library & Exchange Club Presentations
VIII.
Staff Reports a. North Branch Library – Larry Price b. North Branch Renovation – Larry Price c. Teen Activities and Initiatives – Elyse Adler
IX.
Old Business a. Olen Bryant Gift of art to Green Hills – Robert Oermann b. 2014 Holiday Schedule Adoption…………………………………………………………………….pg. 21 -23 c. Endorsement Motion on NAZA..……………………………………………………………….…….pg. 24 - 25
X.
New Business a. Food and Drink Policy……………………………………………………………………………………..pg. 26 - 27 b. Upcoming Library Policy Reviews
XI.
Adjournment Next Board of Trustees Meeting 12:00 Noon – January 21, 2014 Main Library – Board Room 615 Church Street Nashville TN 37219
NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY A City with a Great Library is a Great City ® LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES October 15, 2013 12:00 Noon Goodlettsville Branch Library, 205 Rivergate Parkway, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 Members Present:
Keith Simmons, Margaret Ann Robinson, Francie Hunt, Lucy Haynes, Sepi Khansari and Robert Oermann
Members Absent:
Joyce Searcy
Library Staff:
Kent Oliver, Elyse Adler, Larry Price, Susan Drye, Sarah Squires, Tricia Bengel, Jennifer Hunsicker, Allison Barney and Beth Deeb
Also Present:
Tari Hughes, Nashville Public Library Foundation President Ashley Daugherty, Mayor’s Office Corey Harkey, Metro Department of Law Attorney Melissa Parker, Gobbell Hays Elizabeth Swinson, General Services
Visitors:
Tim Garrett, Metro Council Member At-Large Susan Benton, President & CEO, Urban Libraries Council Mark Naccarato, SEIU Representative Allen Wells, member of the public
I.
Call to Order / Roll Call Mr. Simmons called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m.
II.
Metro Ordinance required to be announced at all Board Meetings – Board Chair, Keith Simmons “Pursuant to the provisions of § 2.68.030 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, please take notice that decisions of the Nashville Public Library Board may be appealed to the Chancery Court of Davidson County for review under a common law writ of certiorari. Any appeal must be filed within sixty days after entry of a final decision by the Board. Any person or other entity considering an appeal should consult with an attorney to ensure that time and procedural requirements are met.”
III. Introduce Visitors Mr. Simmons introduced Metro Council Member Tim Garrett, ULC President Susan Benton, and new Limitless Libraries Coordinator Allison Barney. IV. Public Comment Allen Wells distributed copies of a children’s book he had written entitled “Ms. B and Her Wondrous Bees.” Mr. Oliver recommended that he speak with Ms. Bengel after the meeting about the possibilities of placing the book in the library’s collection. 1|Page
V.
Board Chair Comments Mr. Simmons ceded his comments to guests Mr. Garrett and Ms. Benton. Councilman Garrett welcomed the Board to the Goodlettsville Library and noted that his nephew had recently joined the Foundation Board. He announced that money has been secured for a new Goodlettsville High School and he wants to be sure that the library is involved in the project. Ms. Benton congratulated NPL on being one of the leading libraries in North America (the Urban Libraries Council includes 138 large urban libraries in the U.S. and Canada). She emphasized NPL’s role in being a center for learning and in helping its patrons keep up with a rapidly changing world.
VI. Approval of Minutes: September 17, 2013 Robert Oermann moved for approval of the minutes from last month’s meeting; the motion was seconded by Margaret Ann Robinson and passed unanimously. VII. Library Director Report—Kent Oliver, Library Director a. The Southern Festival of Books took place October 11-13, and many of the sessions were held at the Main Library (including a very successful Writers Circle.) b. Yesterday (Monday the 14th) was the first Monday opening of the Main Library. There were 2,800 visits, which is significantly higher than the daily average. c. Mr. Oliver went over statistics from the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Year End Summary included in last month’s board packet. d. In this month’s statistics, Mr. Oliver pointed out the circulation/hour column on page 11. He will be monitoring these numbers closely because they show how successfully we are marketing our collection. e. NPL was voted Best Free Resource and 3rd best Place to Take Children in the Nashville Scene’s recent poll. f. NPL was selected by the American Library Association and StoryCorps as one of ten public libraries to participate in the StoryCorps pilot program. VIII. Staff Reports a. Goodlettsville Branch Library—Jennifer Hunsicker Ms. Hunsicker reported on the wide variety of programs that the Goodlettsville Branch offers (381 programs serving 6,610 people in FY12/13). Popular programs include a manga series for teens (including drawing instruction), an adult book discussion group whose attendance has tripled since the move to the new building, and an array of arts programs: an art exhibit of Hunters Lane High School student artwork, a reception for local artist Dennis Harris, all-ages art workshops taught by volunteer instructors, and collaborative programming with the City of Goodlettsville’s Parks and Recreation department including woodworking and flax programs. Goodlettsville serves large homeschool and senior populations, and provides outreach to three elementary schools and one middle school. The branch also includes the Garrett Family Gardens; a storytelling program will be held there on October 26 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. b. Citizenship Corner—Elyse Adler The Mayor approached the library about this initiative after seeing a description of the Los Angeles program in ULC’s 2013 Top Innovators brochure, right next to the Limitless Libraries award. In response, the library reached out to community partners and conducted a needs assessment, and determined that Nashville has a newer immigrant population whose primary need is English language classes. We then contacted USCIS 2|Page
(U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) to discuss how the program could be instituted in Nashville. At select branches, we may offer meeting space to partner organizations to host ESL classes, legal aid workshops, and citizenship information sessions. We would also distribute USCIS forms and materials in different languages. Four possible pilot branches for the program have been identified: Edmondson Pike, Thompson Lane, Southeast, and Madison. c. Adult Literacy Summit—Elyse Adler The library hosted its first-ever literacy summit on October 9 with the Tennessee Literacy Coalition. Sixty-five providers, twenty tutors, and twenty-five students attended (an increase of over 100% compared to TLC’s last summit). Both the Mayor and Mr. Oliver spoke at the event, as well as Megan Godbey, the library’s new Adult Literacy Coordinator. Other sessions were keynote speaker Derek Young (whom Mr. Oliver may invite for Staff Day), a presentation by the State Library on electronic resources, and a parent workshop provided by BBTL Program Manager Liz Atack. Mr. Oermann mentioned that the library might want to consider a public awareness campaign to support this new initiative. d. Nashville Public Library Foundation—Tari Hughes Ms. Hughes reported that the Foundation launched a campaign two years ago to raise $15 million, and they have already raised close to $11 million. The campaign specifically focuses on children, teens, lifelong learning, community, and collections. So far, the campaign has funded the renovations of the Hillwood High School and Wright Middle School libraries and the Puppet Festival. The Foundation is now working to fund The Studio (the result of the 18-month learning lab planning grant) and renovations to the Popular Materials and Children’s departments at the Main Library. They also expect to raise $500,000 at this year’s Literary Award Gala honoring Robert Massie. The second phase of fundraising is the Community Campaign, which will be made up of smaller individual and corporate gifts. It will also link the Foundation with the Friends of the Library for the first time, allowing the community to support the library in a variety of ways. A major celebrity has agreed to be the honorary chair, and the campaign will have a centerpiece peer-to-peer fundraising event: The Great Nashville Bedtime Story Race, in which teams of five will build and decorate a bed with a book theme and participate in a race in a downtown park. This is scheduled to take place in June 2014. IX. Old Business a. Vote on By-laws Revision Robert Oermann moved for approval of the by-laws revisions discussed at the last Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Sepi Khansari and passed unanimously. b. Main Library Update Melissa Parker from Gobbell Hays presented floor plans for the redesign of space in the Main Library. The first phase will encompass the third floor, which will include the new Archives, relocation of the public computers, three small meeting rooms, a computer training room, and a large meeting space. The new Archives area will have a corridor gallery entrance with digital screens to highlight the collection, temperature and humidity controls (which will benefit the entire library), and a specialized sprinkler system. The second phase of the project will update the Children’s department (new furniture and interactive learning spaces) and provide more flexible furniture for the Special Collections Center.
3|Page
Elizabeth Swinson from General Services reported on furniture and finishes. She has worked closely with Ken Fieth, Metro Archivist, to ensure the correct amount of shelving and storage in the Archives. The area will also contain a microfilm area, computer carrels, and eco-friendly tablet-arm chairs. Carpets throughout the building will also be replaced in public areas and samples were provided the Board. These renovations are scheduled to begin in January, and the goal is to have the Archives completed by May. X.
Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m.
Next Board Meeting窶年oon, November 19, 2013 Main Library Board Room 615 Church Street, Nashville TN 37219
Respectfully submitted by Beth Deeb
4|Page
NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY A City with a Great Library is a Great City ® LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES November 19, 2013 12:00 Noon Board Room, Main Library, 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219 Members Present:
Margaret Ann Robinson, Joyce Searcy and Robert Oermann
Members Absent:
Keith Simmons, Francie Hunt, Lucy Haynes and Sepi Khansari
Library Staff:
Kent Oliver, Elyse Adler, Larry Price, Susan Drye, Sarah Squires, Tricia Bengel, Jena Schmid and Beth Deeb
Also Present:
Leigh Patton, Metro Arts Commission Ashley Daugherty, Mayor’s Office Candy Markman, Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) Corey Harkey, Metro Department of Law Attorney
Visitors:
Brad Meyers, Academy Coach, Hunters Lane High School Mika Carr, student, Hunters Lane High School Raven Bean, student, Hunters Lane High School Mark Naccarato, SEIU Representative Steve Reiter, member of the public
XI. Call to Order / Roll Call Ms. Robinson called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. XII. Metro Ordinance required to be announced at all Board Meetings – Board Vice-Chair, Margaret Ann Robinson “Pursuant to the provisions of § 2.68.030 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, please take notice that decisions of the Nashville Public Library Board may be appealed to the Chancery Court of Davidson County for review under a common law writ of certiorari. Any appeal must be filed within sixty days after entry of a final decision by the Board. Any person or other entity considering an appeal should consult with an attorney to ensure that time and procedural requirements are met.” XIII. Introduce Visitors Ms. Robinson introduced guests from the Metro Arts Commission, Nashville After Zone Alliance, and Hunters Lane High School. XIV. Public Comment Steve Reiter congratulated the library on the successful Southern Festival of Books. He also asked that patrons who are found asleep (which is against library policy) be treated the same at all locations, rather than more stringently at the Main Library. XV. Approval of Minutes: September 17, 2013 5|Page
Approval of the minutes was postponed to the December 17 meeting, as there was not a quorum. XVI. Library Director Report—Kent Oliver, Library Director g. Mr. Oliver reported that the Salon series has had a great fall season, and shows off our incredible partnership with the Foundation, Parnassus Books, and Humanities Tennessee. h. Mr. Oliver, Ms. Adler, and Ms. Hughes recently attended an Urban Libraries Council/National League of Cities conference about innovative learning programs at libraries. Candy Markman (NAZA) and Ronnie Steine (Metro Council) also attended. i. Over 400 people attended this year’s Literary Award gala, and Robert Massie had a full house for his public lecture at the University School of Nashville. j. Over 1,000 people attended the Taste of Bellevue event to raise money for the new Bellevue Library. k. NAZA—Candy Markman Ms. Markman is the Director of the Nashville After Zone Alliance, currently overseen by the Mayor’s Office. She explained that NAZA was created based on a recommendation from the Project for Student Success task force: to increase access to and quality of after-school programs, particularly for middle-schoolers. NAZA currently serves 1,500 young people by contracting with providers such as the Pencil Foundation, YWCA, Martha O’Bryan, Bethlehem Center, and local churches to provide programming focused on literacy and math. NAZA also works with the Metro Arts Commission to provide access to the Children’s Theater, Nashville Symphony, and other arts organizations. Mr. Oliver explained that the library has been a partner since the project’s inception, and that moving NAZA from the Mayor’s Office to the library is now under consideration. This move is a great opportunity that could be a national model, and also fits in well with our other services (Limitless Libraries, the Studio, middle school library renovations, etc.). If approved during the budget process, program funding as well as Ms. Markman’s position would move to the Library departmental budget next fiscal year. The Board expressed their support and enthusiasm for this idea. XVII. Staff Reports a. Branch Renovations—Larry Price Mr. Price reported on the many upcoming renovations throughout the system: o Old Hickory will have new ceilings, floorings, and paint by mid- to late January. o At Edgehill, the service desk will be refinished, the ceiling and carpeting will be replaced, and the meeting room floor will be refinished as stained concrete. The branch will be closed from December 2 – January 5. o At Green Hills, the new Teen Center will be finished by late February. There will also be renovations to the meeting room and study rooms. o Richland Park will have a one-week closure to redo the vestibule and install a new security system, including automatic lockdown. o At North, the 100-year-old original service desk will be replaced with a replica. o At Pruitt, the meeting room dividers will be removed and the security system will be upgraded. o Bordeaux will have $600,000 in renovations done in late spring, including installation of lower shelving and reclamation of space for community services. o At Edmondson Pike, plans include replacing carpet, breaking up the shelving for better sight lines, and creating a central service desk. This will take place at the same time as the opening of the new Southeast branch. o Meeting room carpets will be replaced at all area branches. o The staff kitchen at Looby will be updated. 6|Page
Ms. Searcy wanted to make sure that Council members would be informed about the renovations at their local branches, and Mr. Price said that he was developing a communications plan. XVIII. Art/Gifts Committee Report a. Olen Bryant Gift of Art to Green Hills—Robert Oermann Mr. Oermann announced that Olen Bryant, a well-known Tennessee artist, has donated an artwork to the Green Hills branch. It features Greek, Phoenician, Roman, and English characters to denote literacy through the ages. He will be asking for formal Board approval at the next meeting. Mr. Oermann also reported that the manager of the Bluebird Café, who is also a sculptor, has been added to the Arts/Gifts committee. XIX. New Business a. Hunters Lane Externship Findings Ms. Adler explained that Leigh Patton from the Metro Arts Commission had proposed the externship idea to the library because Metro Arts sees the library as an important partner in bringing cultural programming to every neighborhood in Nashville. The goal of the externship was to develop a method for determining what art experiences are most relevant in different communities, so that Metro Arts and the library can best use their resources. Because Hunters Lane was our MNPS partner, the externship focused on the Madison/Goodlettsville neighborhoods, but can be expanded in the future throughout the city. Ms. Carr and Ms. Bean, Hunters Lane students, explained the “Arts on the Edge” concept. Hunters Lane International Baccalaureate students did research on survey design and then created a survey to find out what arts activities people in the Madison and Goodlettsville communities prefer, where they currently go for these activities, and whether they would go to the library if it offered art events in which they were interested. They also asked about barriers to participation. Two-thirds of the survey respondents were teenagers and one-third were adults. The survey found that movies, music performances, and musicals/plays are the top three art activities of the respondents. Barriers were transportation, lack of events/lack of knowledge about events, being too busy, and lack of interest in what is currently offered. Ms. Carr and Ms. Bean offered the following recommendations:
Transportation—publicizing the MTA route to the Madison branch, hosting events out in the community (at nursing homes or hospitals, for instance), or providing transportation Publicity—using social media, posting fliers in schools, including student work/local artists in the programming, hosting large events every three to six months (rather than offering an overwhelming number of small events), and sending text message event reminders.
In conclusion, the students suggested that next steps should be distributing the surveys more broadly, and expanding the age distribution. b. 2014 Holiday Schedule Adoption This discussion was postponed due to lack of a quorum. XX. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 1:24. 7|Page
Next Board Meeting窶年oon, December 17, 2013 Carnegie North Branch Library Meeting Room 1001 Monroe Street, Nashville TN 37208
Respectfully submitted by Beth Deeb
8|Page
Statistical Summary – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library
Circulation Bellevue Bordeaux Donelson East Edgehill Edmondson Pike Goodlettsville Green Hills Hadley Park Hearing Impaired Hermitage Inglewood Looby Madison Main North Old Hickory Pruitt Richland Park Southeast Thompson Lane Watkins Park Downloadable Talking Library NPL Total
Nov-13 Circulation 20,571 6,198 10,226 4,991 1,976 39,020 13,957 43,866 2,125 539 28,610 8,098 2,179 14,470 59,143 1,794 221 1,018 10,064 16,443 8,319 534 53,551 2 347,915
Downloadable Materials eBooks Audio Books Video Music Magazines Total
Cardholders New Registrations Volunteer Services Numver of Volunteers Volunteer Hours
Month Nov-13 Nov-12 % of Total Circulation 5.91% 21,026 1.78% 8,340 2.94% 10,772 1.43% 4,616 0.57% 4,051 11.22% 34,350 4.01% 14,400 12.61% 42,555 0.61% 2,848 0.15% 676 8.22% 28,817 2.33% 8,199 0.63% 3,741 4.16% 16,554 17.00% 57,106 0.52% 3,026 0.06% 4,131 0.29% 1,150 2.89% 9,678 4.73% 17,519 2.39% 7,440 0.15% 469 15.39% 38,270 0.0006% 5 339,739
Nov-13 Circulation 26,807 9,409 36 12,884 4,415 49,136
Nov-13 2,463 Nov-13 316 2322.75
% Change 2013-2012 -2.16% -25.68% -5.07% 8.12% -51.22% 13.60% -3.08% 3.08% -25.39% -20.27% -0.72% -1.23% -41.75% -12.59% 3.57% -40.71% -94.65% -11.48% 3.99% -6.14% 11.81% 13.86% 39.93% -60.00% 2.41%
Nov-12 Circulation 18,057 6,190 92 13,931 n/a 38,270
Nov-13 Year-to-Date 116,194 33,044 54,945 26,117 14,068 212,354 80,036 248,719 10,468 3,182 157,685 45,378 12,667 80,281 311,731 10,803 5,767 5,764 52,329 94,821 44,009 2,140 287,151 24 1,909,677
Fiscal Year-to-Date Nov-12 Year-to-Date 117,455 43,567 58,956 22,167 21,947 189,966 81,869 233,506 13,808 3,377 159,348 45,979 22,074 90,469 301,865 14,229 22,288 5,161 52,897 95,507 42,235 2,373 201,433 32 1,842,508
% Change 2013-2012 -1.07% -24.15% -6.80% 17.82% -35.90% 11.79% -2.24% 6.52% -24.19% -5.77% -1.04% -1.31% -42.62% -11.26% 3.27% -24.08% -74.13% 11.68% -1.07% -0.72% 4.20% -9.82% 42.55% -25.00% 3.65%
% Change 2013-2012 48.46% 52.00% -60.87% -7.52% n/a 28.39%
Nov-12 Active Nov-13 Year-to-Date Patron Cards 19,476 308,660 Nov-12 298 2536.75
% Change 2013-2012 6.04% -8.44%
9|Page
Statistical Summary – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library Visits Archives Bellevue Bordeaux Donelson East Edgehill Edmondson Pike Goodlettsville Green Hills Hadley Park Hermitage Inglewood Looby Madison Main North Old Hickory Pruitt Richland Park Southeast Thompson Lane Watkins Park NPL Total
Nov-13 Visits 1,537 11,929 8,220 12,289 7,191 4,708 15,622 19,009 17,542 4,067 13,612 10,326 8,990 22,793 58,710 7,031 0 8,303 10,559 11,693 7,693 4,658 266,482
Self-Check Activity Bellevue Bordeaux Donelson East Edgehill Edmondson Pike Goodlettsville Green Hills Hadley Park Hermitage Inglewood Looby Madison Main North Old Hickory Pruitt Richland Park Southeast Thompson Lane Watkins Park
Nov-12 Visits 1,655 13,721 9,290 12,735 6,879 5,885 18,544 20,256 19,317 4,506 16,370 11,624 10,500 30,676 52,471 8,052 4,954 9,056 9,637 10,250 7,904 3,886 288,168
Nov-13 Assisted Circulation 5,102 1,886 2,119 1,767 546 9,424 4,430 6,056 647 3,914 1,815 623 6,290 6,760 266 0 411 1,107 3,061 2,049 149
% Change 2013-2012 -7.13% -13.06% -11.52% -3.50% 4.54% -20.00% -15.76% -6.16% -9.19% -9.74% -16.85% -11.17% -14.38% -25.70% 11.89% -12.68% -100.00% -8.31% 9.57% 14.08% -2.67% 19.87% -7.53%
Nov-13 Circ / Visit n/a 1.72 0.75 0.83 0.69 0.42 2.50 0.73 2.50 0.52 2.10 0.78 0.24 0.63 1.02 0.26 n/a 0.12 0.95 1.41 1.08 0.11 1.10
Nov-13 Self-Check Circulation 11,562 2,865 5,869 2,065 1,138 20,730 6,828 27,695 940 18,771 5,173 1,106 5,345 15,331 804 0 289 6,613 9,826 4,591 110
Nov-12 Circ / Visit n/a 1.53 0.90 0.85 0.67 0.69 1.85 0.71 2.20 0.63 1.76 0.71 0.36 0.54 1.10 0.38 0.83 0.13 1.00 1.71 0.94 0.12 1.05
% Change 2013-2012 n/a 12.53% -16.01% -1.62% 3.43% -39.03% 34.84% 3.28% 13.51% -17.33% 19.40% 11.18% -31.97% 17.64% -7.69% -32.10% n/a -3.45% -5.09% -17.72% 14.88% -5.01% 5.59%
% Self-Check 69.38% 60.30% 73.47% 53.89% 67.58% 68.75% 60.65% 82.06% 59.23% 82.75% 74.03% 63.97% 45.94% 69.40% 75.14% n/a 41.29% 85.66% 76.25% 69.14% 42.47% 10 | P a g e
Statistical Summary –December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library Hours Open Archives Bellevue Bordeaux Donelson East Edgehill Edmondson Pike Goodlettsville Green Hills Hadley Park Hermitage Inglewood Looby Madison Main North Old Hickory Pruitt Richland Park Southeast Thompson Lane Watkins Park NPL Total
Programming Adult Programs Teen Programs Children's Programs Total Programs Adult Attendance Teen Attendance Children's Attendance Total Attendance
Public Computer Use Total Computer Use Total Wireless Use
Website Visits Webserver
Nov-13 Hours Open 152 160 194.5 160 160 160 194.5 160 194.5 160 194.5 160 160 194.5 224 160 0 160 160 194.5 160 119.5 3582.5
Nov-12 Hours Open 160 160 200 160 160 160 200 160 200 160 200 160 160 200 188 160 160 160 160 200 160 112 3,740
Nov-13 Circ / Hour n/a 128.57 31.87 63.91 31.19 12.35 200.62 87.23 225.53 13.28 147.10 50.61 13.62 74.40 266.44 11.21 n/a 6.36 62.90 84.54 51.99 4.47 101.42
Nov-12 Circ / Hour n/a 131.41 41.70 67.33 28.85 25.32 171.75 90.00 212.78 17.80 144.09 51.24 23.38 82.77 307.35 18.91 25.82 7.19 60.49 87.60 46.50 4.19 94.90
114 167 308 589
105 153 347 605
% Change 2013-2012 8.57% 9.15% -11.24% -2.64%
3,946 2,325 14,404 20,675
2,737 3,093 15,725 21,555
44.17% -24.83% -8.40% -4.08%
Nov-13 63,199 16,288
Nov-12 64,027 14,343
% Change 2013-2012 -1.29% 13.56%
Nov-12 478,179
% Change 2013-2012 -13.30%
Nov-13
Nov-12
Nov-13 414,558
% Change 2013-2012 n/a -2% -24% -5% 8% -51% 17% -3% 6% -25% 2% -1% -42% -10% -13% -41% n/a -11% 4% -3% 12% 7% 7%
11 | P a g e
Statistical Summary – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library
Circulation Year-to-Date 1,842,508 FY12 1,909,677 FY13
450,000
November
400,000 339,739 2012 347,915 2013
350,000 300,000
2.41%
250,000 Dec
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct Nov
On Site Computer & Wireless Usage Year-to-Date 440,652 FY12 450,082 FY13
110,000
November
90,000 70,000
78,370 2012 79,487 2013
50,000
1.43% Dec
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct Nov
Visits Year-to-Date 1,639,729 FY12 1,513,622 FY13
500,000
November
400,000
288,168 2012 266,482 2013
300,000
-7.53%
200,000 Dec
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct Nov
12 | P a g e
Statistical Summary – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library
New Card Registrations Year-to-Date 29,331 FY12 19,476 FY13
15,000
November
10,000
3,844 2012 2,463 2013
5,000
-35.93%
0 Dec
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Total Programs Year-to-Date 2,942 FY12 3,173 FY13
900
November
700
605 2012 589 2013
500
-2.64%
300 Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Total Program Attendance Year-to-Date
50,000
November
40,000 114,633 FY12 120,817 FY13
30,000
21,555 2012 20,675 2013
20,000
-4.08%
10,000 Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Total Website Visits Year-to-Date
600,000
November
2,641,714 FY12 2,313,375 FY13
500,000
478,179 2012 414,558 2013
400,000
-13.30%
300,000 Nov Dec
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
13 | P a g e
Financial Overview – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library Metro Government of Nashville Monthly Budget Accountability Report As of November 30, 2013 Public Library GSD-General - Operating FY12-13 PY Budget PY Actuals Prior Year Thru Thru Prior YTD Budget Current Mo. Current Mo. Variance
FY13-14 Annual Budget
CY Budget Actuals Thru Thru YTD Current Mo. 11/30/2013 Variance
Variance Explanation
EXPENSES: Salaries:
Regular Pay Overtime
9,693,900 45,300
4,039,125 18,875
3,947,985 14,158
91,140 4,717
9,987,800 45,300
4,161,583 18,875
3,756,961 9,004
All Other Salary Codes
1,140,500
475,208
428,736
46,472
1,140,500
475,208
414,179
10,879,700
4,533,208
4,390,879
142,329 11,173,600
4,655,666
4,180,144
LIB is at 90.3% thru NOV. Most vacancies are being held open. LIB 404,622 will monitor closely. 9,871 LIB is 87.2 thru NOV. LIB will monitor 61,029 closely throughout the fiscal year. LIB is at 89.8% of total budgeted salaries thru NOV . Most vacancies 475,522 are being held throughout FY14. Fringe is slightly under at 99.9% thru NOV. LIB but does not have much control over fringe costs but will 1,965 monitor.
Total Salaries
Fringes
4,345,500
1,810,625
1,860,221
-49,596
4,516,900
1,882,042
1,880,077
Other Expenses: Utilities Professional & Purchased Services
1,643,100 533,700
684,625 222,375
658,804 203,523
25,821 18,852
1,643,100 475,700
684,625 198,208
614,848 194,556
17,700 587,900
7,375 244,958
3,682 187,181
3,693 57,777
17,700 587,900
7,375 244,958
10,206 134,104
478,700 1,251,600 1,755,500
199,458 521,500 731,458
264,431 522,262 412,847
-64,973 -762 318,611
483,100 1,277,000 1,813,500
201,292 532,083 755,625
324,849 528,269 434,761
21,493,400
8,955,582
8,503,830
451,752 21,988,500
9,161,874
8,301,814
475,400
198,083
196,663
1,420
475,400
158,467
159,225
-758
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 475,400
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 198,083
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 196,663
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,420
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 475,400
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 158,467
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 159,225
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -758
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 475,400
0 198,083
0 196,663
0 1,420
0 475,400
0 158,467
0 159,225
0 -758
Travel, Tuition & Dues Communications Repairs & Maintenance Services Internal Service Fees All Other Expenses
TOTAL EXPENSES PROGRAM REVENUE: Charges, Commissions & Fees Other Governments & Agencies Federal Direct Fed Through State Pass-Through Fed Through Other Pass-Through State Direct Other Government & Agencies Subtotal Other Governments & Agencies Other Program Revenue TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUE NON-PROGRAM REVENUE: Property Taxes Local Option Sales Tax Other Tax, Licences & Permits Fines, Forfeits & Penalties Compensation from Property TOTAL NON-PROGRAM REVENUE Transfers From Other Funds & Units TOTAL REVENUE AND TRANSFERS SUMMARY OF POSITIONS: Total Authorized Positions - Oper Fd Total Filled Positions Total Vacant Positions
69,777 3,652 Most travel will occur in the spring -2,831 2014. However, LIB will monitor. 110,854 LIB is over due to III library automation -123,557 system payment in July 3,814 320,864 Library appears to under budget (90.6% in total) for FY14 YTD. LIB 860,060 monitored all expenditures closely.
318 283 35
SUMMARY OF VARIANCE:
14 | P a g e
Personnel Summary – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library November 2013 New Hires / Resignations
New Hires Name
Classification
Hire Date
Location
Fanta, Andrea James, Rebecca
Public Information Rep. Library Manager 3
11/25/2013 11/25/2013
Public Relations Edmondson Pike
Name
Classification
Resignation Date
Location
Odneal, Jordan Billings, Naomi
Library Page Circulation Assistant 1
11/2/2013 11/18/2013
Edmondson Pike Main - Circ
Resignations
15 | P a g e
Personnel Summary – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library NPL Vacancies as of 12/12/2013 = Approved to fill by OMB = Retirement Incentive Vacancies = Requesting permission to fill from OMB = Main Monday Opening NEW Positions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
BU
Division / Branch
39103401 39103203 39103355 39103203 39103304 39103340 39103345 39101090 39103380 39103310 39103304 39101050 39101010 39103304 39103380 39103380 39103360 39101030 39103370 39103207 39103335 39103310 39103360 39103310 39103203 39103203 39103304 39103335 39103360 39103207 39101030 39103203 39103335 39104061 39104061
ARCHIVES CIRC CIRC CIRC ED PIKE GRN HILLS HERM LIMITLESS L SE BORDX ED PIKE CONF CNTR ADMIN SVCS ED PIKE SE SE MADISON EMERG TECH PRUITT REF GOOD BORDX MADISON BORDX CIRC CIRC ED PIKE GOOD MADISON REF EMERG TECH CIRC GOOD HR IMP TALKING
Title ARCHIVES ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION ASSIST 1 CIRCULATION SUPV CIRCULATION SUPV CUSTODIAN 1 - Main FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR LIBRARIAN 1 LIBRARIAN 1 LIBRARIAN 1 LIBRARIAN 2 OFFICE SUP SPEC 1 LIBRARY ASSOC 1 LIBRARY ASSOC 1 LIBRARY ASSOC 1 LIBRARY MGR 2 LIBRARY MGR 3 LIBRARY PAGE LIBRARY PAGE LIBRARY PAGE LIBRARY PAGE LIBRARY PAGE LIBRARY PAGE LIBRARY PAGE OFFICE SUP REP 2 OFFICE SUPPORT MGR OFFICE SUPPORT REP 2 PROG SPEC 2 RADIO ANNOUNCER
Grade SR04 SR04 SR04 SR04 SR04 SR04 SR04 SR04 SR04 SR06 SR06 TG03 SR13 SR09 SR09 SR09 SR10 SR01 SR06 SR06 SR06 SR12 SR13 SR02 SR02 SR02 SR02 SR02 SR02 SR02 SR05 SR09 SR05 SR08 SR07
Name VACANT (D COX) VACANT (E OLIVER) VACANT (N BILLINGS) VACANT (S ARNTZ) VACANT (C BELCHER) VACANT (A HEYD) VACANT (N HINDALONG) VACANT (S MENTGES) VACANT (F TAYLOR) VACANT (T WILSON) VACANT (D JABBOUR) VACANT (J MERLIN) VACANT (S DRYE) VACANT (A FREDERICK) VACANT (S LAKE) VACANT (S TAKACS) VACANT (L HAGEN) VACANT (N DROMGOOLE) VACANT (L HEFLIN) VACANT (A EDGIN) VACANT (NEW) VACANT (V MALONE) VACANT (D WILLIAMS) VACANT (J HYDE) VACANT (C HOLIDAY) VACANT (J AUERWECK) VACANT (J ODNEAL) VACANT (K BROOKS) VACANT (R MOORE) VACANT (T HARVEY) VACANT (G DRYE) VACANT (L BOBBITT) VACANT (S JOHNSON) VACANT NEW - MONDAY OPENING VACANT (L ADAMS)
FPS
FTE
F F F F F P F F F F F F F F P F F F F F F F F P P P P P P P F F P F F
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.49 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.50 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.50 0.49 0.50 0.50 0.49 0.50 0.49 1.00 1.00 0.49 1.00 1.00
Notes
Interviewing
Candidate chosen
Interviewing Interviewing
29.95
16 | P a g e
Brief Area Updates – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library Administrative Service Report
Working with Metro and Library HR to get needed positions posted, interviews scheduled and new hires in place. Currently carrying 35 vacancies. New hires will help ease workloads throughout the system. Working on Strategic Goals and putting together ad hoc committees to address strategies identified Currently interviewing for a new Finance Manager.
Currently reviewing various Library Policies for potential updates and changes.
Working with all Branches and Divisions for revising Organizational Charts.
Branch Services Report Branch Staffing Emily Talbot, Manager 3, is transferring from Edmondson Pike to Hermitage as Manager 3 effective December 30. Emily started has been with NPL since 2000. Ed Todd, Manager 2, is transferring from Southeast to Richland Park as Manager 2 where he will also have oversight responsibilities for Hadley Park and Watkins Park. Ed has been with NPL since 1978. Heidi Berg is being promoted to Manager 3 at Madison effective December 30. Heidi joined NPL in 2007. Rebecca James will join NPL as Manager 3 at Edmondson Pike on December 30. Rebecca is an accomplished library professional with over thirty years of experience working in and with public, academic, and school libraries. Kyle Barber is being promoted to Manager 2 at Southeast effective December 2. Kyle Barber has worked with NPL for the last twelve years. We are continuing interviews for Manager 2 for Bordeaux and will be interviewing for Circulation Supervisor for Edmondson Pike as well as for Circulation Assistants at various locations. Branch Renovations Everything is in place to close the Edgehill branch on December 2 for 5 weeks of interior renovation. Work on the Old Hickory branch is continuing at a fast clip and we expect to reopen the upstairs portion of the building by mid to late January.
17 | P a g e
The final review of the project for the Green Hills Teen Center and related interior improvements is scheduled for December 3; work is expected to begin on January 20. Volunteer Recognition On Thursday, November 7, Volunteer Services staff once again hosted a successful Volunteer Recognition luncheon. The Associate Director for Branch Services figuratively passed the Volunteer Services torch to the Human Relations Manager at this event when he met his fictional and untimely demise as the victim in a well-received murder mystery skit, which tied into the Sherlock Holmes theme of the event and was part of the day’s awards program.
Collections and Technology Report With the Opening Day Collections for the new Southeast and Bellevue branches underway, an analysis of the usefulness of Floating Day collections and an update to the collection development policy starting, Noel (NPL’s Collection Development Manager) and I were talking about trends with circulation. She did a chart that lists each major material type and how it has changed year to date from last year to this. Overall, our circulation is up 1.92% which is very unusual for public libraries in this day and age. The increase is due to the skyrocketing use of our e-content collections and the use of our juvenile collections with Limitless Libraries. The chart below is very interesting to analyze. I TYPE Adult Book (hardcover + paperback) Adult Music CD YA Book (hardcover + paperback) Juv Book (hardcover + paperback) Juvenile Music CD Adult CD Audio Juvenile CD Audio Young Adult CD Audio Adult DVD Juvenile DVD Board Book Playaway
PERCENT
QTY
30.72%
1321311
4.85%
208656
4.43%
190378
24.41%
1049791
0.23%
9735
4.23%
181871
0.63%
26955
0.14%
5892
14.21% 3.70% 0.73% 1.70%
611321 159365 31399 73001
I TYPE Adult Book (hardcover + paperback) Adult Music CD YA Book (hardcover + paperback) Juv Book (hardcover + paperback) Juvenile Music CD Adult CD Audio Juvenile CD Audio Young Adult CD Audio Adult DVD Juvenile DVD Board Book Playaway
PERCENT
QTY
28.38%
1244357
4.15%
181785
3.90%
171196
24.79%
% CHANGE
# CHANGE
-5.82% -12.88%
76,954 26,871
-10.08%
19,182
3.51%
36,866
-12.38% -3.36%
1,205 6,104
-5.33%
1,436
-15.09% -3.21% -3.11% 9.84% 2.62%
889 19,623 4,960 3,089 1,916
1086657
0.19%
8530
4.01%
175767
0.58%
25519
0.11%
5003
13.50% 3.52% 0.79% 1.71%
591698 154405 34488 74917
18 | P a g e
Book Club in a Bag LL Courier/AV bags E-Book E-Audio E-Video E-Music E-Magazines
0.01%
250
0.20%
8776
4.55% 1.53% 0.02% 3.73% 0.00%
195684 65608 897 160,506 0
Total =
4301396
Book Club in a Bag LL Courier/AV bags E-Book E-Audio E-Video E-Music E-Magazines
0.01%
252
0.30%
13236
6.63% 2.28% 0.02% 3.95% 1.18% Total =
0.80%
2
290460 100128 955 173,283 51,527
50.82% 48.43% 52.62% 6.47% 7.96% 100.00%
4,460 94,776 34,520 58 12,777 51,527
4384163
1.92%
82,767
Main Report StoryCorps@your library With a handful of Lipscomb students, two interns and five community partners, Luke Herbst and Andrea Blackman from Special Collections took on one of the division’s largest projects - StoryCorps @ your library. The importance of the project is already clear, as heard in the story of an honor roll Lipscomb University student who fled Mexico and the story of a Greek immigrant who left Greece at the age of 15 with no money and became one of the most successful restaurant owners in the South. The project will result in a nationally focused collection as well as increased opportunities for public engagement and partnerships as seen in the support from Casa Azafran, Lipscomb University, Center for Refugees and Immigrants of Tennessee and the Brentwood Library. New Homeschool Programming Lindsay Jensen’s Homeschool Group has been receiving rave reviews. This month the group explored natural disasters with different stations that provided hands-on demonstrations. The program attendees often stay in the library before and/or after the group meets and when not raving about the program are stumping the reference staff with challenging and fun reference questions. Civil Rights Programming In partnership with NPT, the Special Collections division hosted an educator’s workshop for 150+ Tennessee educators around the upcoming PBS series The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross by noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Library Vending Popular Materials staff member, Greg Hall, and Jena Schmid began meeting with representatives from MTA and the Farmer’s Market to discuss the possibility of placing convenient library vending machines on their sites.
19 | P a g e
Community Engagement Wishing Chair 1,200 school children and public attended “String City” performances at Country Music Hall of Fame. “Peter and the Wolf” was performed with the Nashville Symphony to a capacity crowd. Working on the creation of “Puss In Boots” and working on a puppet opera to premier in Spring 2015. Puppet Truck – Hired 2 new p.t. staff and have trained 2 substitutes and purchased a new vehicle in order to serve a broader audience. Bringing Books to Life Staff attended and presented at the National Association for the Education for Young Children conference in Washington, DC. GROW continued Spanish language workshops at Antioch and Coleman Community Centers and held 4 “Library Field Trips” for families at EP and SE. Staff met with Renata Soto from Conexión Americas to discuss potential partnership with library. TOTAL—Served 236 teens in November. Established new partnerships with Apollo Middle School, Overton and Martha O’Bryan. TOTAL Coordinator Monica McLaurine was selected as a speaker at the 2014 National Conference on Bullying. Pathway for New Americans— Staff presented the proposed initiative to Mayor Dean. The initiative is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, NPL, Metro Parks, USCIS, and local direct service agencies. Adult Literacy - 2 new ESL classes starting in Jan at MA and SE through Nashville Adult Literacy Council. Financial Empowerment Centers will host sessions in 2 library branches, in early 2014: MA and SE. Hosted a training for 64 providers on the new High School Equivalency test Salon—Hosted five Salons in November: Elizabeth Gilbert (254), Ann Patchett (341), Wally Lamb (148), Amy Tan (347), and Nikki Giovanni (250). Bellevue Building Project—Design documents almost complete and will meet the December deadline Nashville Reads—The 2014 title: We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, by Karen Joy Fowler. Free copies will be distributed throughout the city in February, and the author event will take place on April 1.
20 | P a g e
Old Business – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library Nashville Public Library Board December 17, 2013
Resolution Title: 2014 Holiday Schedule History/Background/Discussion: Annually the library board adopts the library holiday schedule observed based upon the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County’s Civil Service Commission. These hours necessarily impact library public service hours and staff holiday scheduling. The attached is consistent with past practice but for two exceptions. Based upon anticipated public use of the library over holiday periods the Library’s Administration is recommending that all library locations close at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 (Thanksgiving Eve) and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2014 (New Year’s Eve). Holiday closings not consistent with Metro holidays will allow for adjustments in staff work schedules to accommodate these closings and are not paid holidays.
Recommendation: That the Board adopts the holiday hours schedule as proposed. Draftor(s): Kent Oliver, Library Director Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: NPL Administration
21 | P a g e
RESOLUTION 2013-12.01 2014 Holiday Schedule NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Nashville Public Library board that the attached holiday and library Schedule of Holidays -2014 be adopted. NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE OF HOLIDAYS – 2014 LIBRARIES ARE CLOSED List of Holidays observed by Metro Tuesday, December 31, 2013 – Close all locations at 5:30 pm (approved November 2012) Metro observes Wednesday, January 1, 2014 New Year’s Day – 2014 January 1 Monday, January 20th
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 3rd Monday in January
Monday, February 17th
President’s Day 3rd Monday in February
Sunday, April 20th – Easter (not a paid Holiday) Monday, May 26th
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Friday, July 4th
Independence Day July 4th
Monday, September 1st
Labor Day 1st Monday in September
Wednesday, November 26th – Close all location at 5:30 pm Thursday, November 27th Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November th Friday, November 28 Friday after Thanksgiving Wednesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 25th Christmas Day _____________________________________________________________________________ Wednesday, December 31st – Close all locations at 5:30 pm Thursday, January 1st New Year’s Day – 2015 January 1st Metro holidays observed based on Civil Service Rules, Section 4.5 (Copy attached)
Metro Civil Service Rules, Chapter 4 22 | P a g e
Section 4.5 – HOLIDAYS A. Holiday Schedule The following will be declared official holidays, and all employees will be excused without charge to leave, except those employees required to maintain essential operations, who shall be compensated in accordance with Section 5.7. New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving day Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day
January 1 Third Monday in January Third Monday in February Last Monday in May July 4 First Monday in September Fourth Thursday in November Friday after Thanksgiving December 24 December 25
Holidays that fall on Sunday will be observed on the following Monday and holidays that fall on Saturday will be observed on the Friday before by those employees working Monday through Friday. On those occasions when Christmas day falls on Monday, the Christmas Eve holiday will be observed on the Tuesday following Christmas Day: on those occasions when Christmas falls on Saturday, the Christmas holiday will be observed on the subsequent Monday. If a holiday is observed on an employee’s day off, the employee may be scheduled for a floating holiday during the week of the holiday or the following week. If community practice dictates a change in the day observed, the Director of Human Resources shall have discretion to change the dates for that year.
23 | P a g e
Old Business – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library
Nashville Public Library Board December 17, 2013 Resolution Title: Nashville After Zone Alliance History/Background/Discussion: The Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) is a network of coordinated, high quality, afterschool programming for Metro’s middle school students that began in 2009. It targets students to whom available programs are not accessible due to cost or transportation issues. It is currently a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, Metro Schools and youth serving groups with which the program contracts for service. Broadly described, the program is a combination of academic support and program enhancements organized in “zones” of the community. The library has provided a portion of the program enhancements since NAZA’s inception. Currently the initiative is overseen by one staff person along with the support of an advisory Leadership Council chaired by Mayor Dean and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Register. During the last four months a study has been conducted by the library administration regarding the opportunity for NPL to provide the organizational support and framework for the NAZA program. A study into the scope of the program, compatibility with the library’s mission and funding mechanisms was conducted internally and in conjunction with members of the NAZA Leadership Council and Mayor’s Office. The conclusion of the NPL review was that NAZA would be a good fit with the direction being taken by the library’s learning programs including Limitless Libraries and The Studio. At the November NPL Board meeting Candy Markman, NAZA’s Director, outlined the program and its service concept. Members of the Board present at that meeting indicated their support for the library assuming responsibility for NAZA under the condition that staffing and funding is provided through the Metro budget process to operate the program.
Recommendation: That the board endorse the concept of the Nashville Public Library assuming the responsibility for the administration of the Nashville After Zone Alliance. Draftor(s): Kent Oliver, Library Director Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: Kent Oliver, Elyse Adler
24 | P a g e
RESOLUTION 2013-12.02 Nashville After Zone Alliance WHEREAS, the Nashville Public Library’s mission is to “Inspire Reading, Advance Learning and Connect our Community, and WHEREAS, the Nashville After Zone Alliance is consistent with the service concepts of the library’s mission, and WHEREAS, NPL is committed to the advancement of learning opportunities for all children in Davidson County; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Nashville Public Library Board of Trustees that the Board endorses the concept of the library assuming the administration and development of the Nashville After Zone Alliance program with the assurance that funding is provided for its continued operation without a negative impact on existing library programs and services.
25 | P a g e
New Business – December 17, 2013 Nashville Public Library
Nashville Public Library Board December 17, 2013 Resolution Title: Library Food and Drink Policy Revision History/Background/Discussion: Over the last several months library staff led by Larry Price, Associate Director for Branch Services, have been reviewing, benchmarking and considering a revision to the library’s food and drink policy as contained in the patron Behavior Policy. It has been considered by a study committee, discussed during manager meetings and reviewed with library technology staff. The primary focus has been to create an enforceable policy that allows for library users to feel comfortable while using our buildings. The current policy prohibits: 3. Eating and drinking or placing open containers of food or beverages on tables, carrels and the floor (except as may be permitted and provided in designated areas) in library facilities. Further description of this policy includes: A container of beverage or food will be considered open if the contents can be spilled if the container is jarred or overturned. Otherwise, such containers are permissible in library facilities as long as the patron is not consuming the food or beverage in the library. Exceptions include areas where food and drink consumption is permitted such as meeting rooms, Main library courtyard, and events sponsored by the library that include food and beverages. Library staff recommends the above policy be revised to a simple statement. The current policy is not library user friendly or consistent with the contemporary use of library spaces. The proposed policy is short, simple, provides latitude for staff application and enforceable. “Food and covered drinks are allowed; debris, mess and strong odors are not.”
Recommendation: That the Board adopt the proposed revision to the library’s food and drink policy. Draftor(s): Kent Oliver, Library Director Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: Larry Price, Jena Schmid, Susan Drye and Sarah Squires
26 | P a g e
RESOLUTION 2013-12.03 Library Food and Drink Policy Revision WHEREAS, the library seeks to be a welcoming place for all those wishing to use its services, and WHEREAS, the consumption of food and drink while researching, reading or gathering is a normal practice in our society, and WHEREAS, the library current policy primarily prohibits food and drink in library facilities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Nashville Public Library Board of Trustees that in library facilities “Food and covered drinks are allowed; debris, mess and strong odors are not” and that library’s policy and procedures be revised to reflect this.
27 | P a g e