Cascade Township Library Advisory Board Meeting
March 10, 2003
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Attendees:
Charles Fry, Library Advisory Board Chairman
Ed Dupke, Library Advisory Board Vice chairman
Diane Cutler, Cascade Library Branch Manager
Jane McRobb, Cascade Assistant Branch Manager
Lynne Marie Quinlan, Friends President
Mary Carpenter, Historical Society
Pamela Vander Ploeg, KDL Facilities Planning
Holly Sturges, Board Member
Marianne Warnock, Board Member
Maureen Sullivan, Board Member
Phil Davis, Architect
Ron Goodyke, Township Trustee
Excused Attendees:
Robert Vos, Board Member
Debbie Straub, Friends Alternate
Charles began the meeting by saying "hello" again to everyone now
that he’s returned from Florida and then asked Diane to begin with
Membership.
Membership: Diane stated she received an e-mail from Meher
Dustoor who is resigning from the LAB. Diane said she has two
individuals who have expressed an interest in serving on the Board and
will follow-up with Jay Cravens, Township Manager, regarding filling
the Board vacancy. Jay will need to re-appoint someone for the
position and she hopes the Township will have an appointment within
the next month.
Township: Ron stated he missed last month’s meeting and doesn’t
have much to report on. There has been previous discussion regarding a
dog park in the township; a designated area that dog owners can bring
their pets and let them run and play with other dogs. A citizen has
come forth and has donated 20-acres of land for the dog park. The
township is looking into plans for the 20-acres regarding fencing and
other needs. There will be an annual membership fee for those who
would like to utilize the dog park. Plans are being developed. Mary
also stated that a lot of road construction will be starting on
Cascade Road and it will be widened to 36th Street. The
road will not only be widened but also re-paved. The Cascade Road
construction will not affect the walking path and Cascade Road will be
open but with only one lane for motorists. Chuck then read an article
from the Cascade Connection regarding the Library expansion.
Minutes of February 10, 2003: Diane apologized to the Board for
not having last month’s minutes available; she has never worked with a
professional recorder before and wasn’t sure of the proper procedures
necessary for the Minutes. Mary and Lynne have corrections to the
February Minutes. Charles requested that anyone who has changes to
last month’s minutes, to please forward them to Diane and she will
correct them. The Board will approve February’s minutes at the April
meeting.
Historical: Mary said the Historical Society will be meeting
Thursday morning at the museum and will be providing pictures of
buildings for the afghan to Lori Cope who will be working on the
design. Mary briefly discussed the booth for the July 4th
sale and will have an announcement in the newsletter. The Historical
Society also has a "Plan B" just in case things do not progress as
planned.
Friends: Lynne credited John Warnock with the design of the
newsletter. Lynne also encouraged everyone to view the Friends’
Website and links are established to both KDL and the Township. The
used book sale will be on March 21st and 22nd.
April 24th the Friends will hold their Spring Luncheon and
Brent Dennis from Meijer Gardens is scheduled to speak. Lynne is
hoping to have Fred Meijer come and speak, but details are still being
worked on. The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. and there will be a
harpist. Marianne noted that the luncheon is not a fundraiser; it’s in
appreciation to the community. Marianne also noted, regarding the used
book sale, that sales have helped the library in the past. This year
there will be a "collectible session" and those interested can
purchase collectible books through Ebay or Amazon. The Friends website
is close to being linked with these to websites. Mary inquired as to
who prices the collectibles and Marianne stated there are websites
volunteers utilize to price them appropriately.
Branch: Diane reported that on March 31st the new
catalog system goes live and everyone is looking forward to it; the
new system is web-based. KDL is also getting a new website and each
branch will have its own page along with links to the schools and
Township. KDL will have a new filtering system for the Internet and
the public computers in the building will have to be re-configured for
the new system. Each computer will have access to programs such as
MicroSoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; these stations will have a usage
time limit of 90 minutes and "express stations" will also be available
with a limit of usage to 20 minutes or less. There are 16 stations
available. Diane also noted the lights in the library will be turned
off at night. A resident had previously requested that the chandelier
be left on at night. In January, the Township experienced a power
surge and the bulbs in the chandelier exploded leaving glass chips all
over; thankfully no one was injured but it was quite the mess. Diane
has also spoken with the pest control contractor and he stated that
leaving the lights off in the building will help eliminate some of the
pest problems the building is experiencing. Diane noted that she will
be on vacation from this coming Thursday through the 19th.
Pamela noted that KDL’s new catalog system will search everything
for information (websites, books, etc.). The new system will also show
the book covers. KDL has been working on the U.S. Patriot Act and the
proper procedures in case authorities request from KDL various
documents and information regarding a terrorist threat. KDL is also
formulating disaster plans and there was general discussion regarding
disaster insurance.
Phil also noted that the Grand Rapids Main Branch is scheduled to
open April 14th and the dedication will be on April 21st.
Charles suggested sending something for their opening. Phil stated
that there are some radical changes to what was in the downtown branch
regarding the lobby flooring and the marble upstairs. The contractors
were able to match the old flooring and marble. The staff is moving in
along with the books. Pamela noted that the Wyoming branch had 2000
people in it on Saturday, which is a large volume. Charles asked if
KDL planned to have a tour of the renovated downtown branch and Pamela
will look into this possibility.
Community Presentation: Diane started by saying she attended a
meeting at the Prince Conference Center in February and the technology
they have for presentations is wonderful and she is looking into the
technology utilized for the Cascade Branch. Diane then said that she
and Ed met with the Lions group at Brann’s and the question was raised
over the difference between KDL and Grand Rapids. Diane then went
through the Expansion PowerPoint presentation she revised from
Fishbeck’s original. Diane noted that the KDL is the busiest library
system in the State of Michigan; second is Ann Arbor and third is
Detroit. General discussion regarding the Library’s expansion took
place. Charles said the presentation is good, it explains the
perceived need of the expansion for the current building. Phil
reviewed the previous estimate that was established and Ron asked if
the public was surveyed regarding the $750,000.00 needed from the
community. Charles said he is working with someone regarding a
substantial financial contribution towards the $750,000.00. Diane
stated the presentation went well. Marianne suggested brochures
regarding the expansion be distributed on July 4th and Mary
expressed her concern over people not having a good place to carry
information/distributions on that day. Jane suggested a bookmark.
Charles asked the Board how to keep the expansion project moving and
getting the project before groups. Ron suggested approaching the
Boards of Ada and Grand Rapids townships with the presentation.
Charles said the approval needs to be obtained from Cascade Township
first before approaching other Townships. Mary suggested approaching
the Rotary Club. Diane stated she is getting with Bob Vos to have the
expansion placed on Southeast’s Rotary agenda. Pamela suggested asking
schools to support as well. Diane said she would appreciate any
suggestions regarding possible groups they can present to. Charles
said there will be a sub-committee working with focus groups such as
neighborhood associations. Lynne suggested inviting the Friends to a
forum. Diane summarized that there are two groups who need more space
in the current library: non-profit groups looking to conduct meetings
at a venue and parents with children. Pamela asked what the community
can do now to help the library achieve their goal with the expansion.
Diane said there are three things that can be done at this point of
the project: 1) contribute a financial gift 2) write a letter of
support 3) attend a Township Board Meeting expressing support of the
expansion project. General questions arose regarding a deadline and
Charles said we’re ready when we’re ready; lots of steps need to be
taken first. Lynne suggested one last slide listing specific ways the
public can help and Diane will turn that slide into a handout as well.
Mary reminded the Board what happened with the Tassell Park project
and asked the Board to start thinking of various naming opportunities
(i.e. a garden area on behalf of someone, bricks with names, etc.).
Charles reminded everyone that the consensus needs to be brought to
the Township Board first and general questions arose as to what the
deadline was. Phil read the old deadlines, which were slated for
Mid-April, and work was to be started in November. Marianne suggested
getting the presentation to the community between April and June and
Ed believes the process will take six months with the public. Diane
asked if the Board is ready to go to the media yet and Ed stated not
yet. Ron noted, in general, fundraisers don’t go public unless there
is a substantial financial gift already backing the project; need to
get the large donation first. General suggestions were made regarding
drawings of the expansion project placed on brochures for public
distribution and Diane is concerned in doing that because people
expect EXACTLY what is shown and the plans are not concrete enough to
do so. Phil supported Diane’s opinion in stating that it is much
easier to sell a picture but people will expect just that. Ron stated
that the Board needs to sell the "need" first and the Board is on the
right track.
Other: Diane summarized that she, Holly, Maureen and Charles
will work on a re-appointment for the vacant Board position.
Next Meeting: Monday, April 14, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. Marianne
requested that the Board consider moving their meeting dates back to
the first Monday of each month; she has a struggle with arriving on
time the second Monday of each month due to prior commitments. Due to
spring break, the April meeting will be held as scheduled.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Approved April 14, 2003
