Marshall library staff, community members work on new long-range plan

The new long-range plan for the Marshall Public Library was the main agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, July 14.

The previous three-year plan, which began in 2006, will end at the close of the 2008-2009 fiscal year, and the new plan will set the MPL's goals for October 2009 through September 2012.

Library Director Amy Crump presented the draft of the new plan, which included seven "library service responses" and goals to meet for each one.

Board President Anita Wright asked how the draft was put together.

Crump explained that the approach was different this time, saying a marketing training conference in Kansas City she attended advised that if the community had not changed drastically since the first plan was formed, it was only necessary to bring together representatives of the largest demographic groups.

The representatives chosen, all frequent library patrons, were Sister Luanna Brucks, representing the senior community; Keith Simmons, representing the middle-aged population and those with grown children; and Angie Wells, representing younger individuals and those with children still at home.

The three met with Crump, reviewed the original plan and discussed which of the 18 new library service responses to aim for. Crump said, "The American Library Association, which commissioned the original (library services responses), commissioned updated ones."

After the community representatives chose the responses, Crump met with several library staff members to narrow down the responses and set specific goals to meet for each.

The board decided each member would take a copy of the draft to review, with a copy being e-mailed to members not present at the meeting, and discuss it more at the August board meeting.

Crump then announced big things were in the works for MPL's 20th birthday. Though the library opened in March 1990, the festivities will be held each month throughout the 2009-2010 fiscal year, with a special birthday reception in March 2010.

In other business, the Trustee Training video for the month was viewed, and it presented several ideas for getting newest board member Linda Valenzuela up to speed on board policy and procedure. Wright also welcomed Valenzuela, who replaces Katie Sharon.

Valenzuela told some of her background and profession mainly as a Spanish-English translator. She said she and her husband moved to Marshall in 1999.

Wright said Mayor Connie Latimer had appointed John Carton to serve in place of Connie Grisier.

Board elections were held. Anita Wright will remain as president, along with Ann Aulgur (who was absent from the meeting) as vice president. Moving into new positions with the board were Jeanne Simonton, secretary, and Arline Borchers, treasurer.

Crump reported she had purchased an ink cartridge refill kit, which would reduce costs for ink in the long run. Currently, black ink cartridges average $19; the refill kit, which is good for 40 refills of either black or color ink, cost about $197, meaning each refill will be under $5.

At the previous month's meeting, it was suggested the library might raise printing and copying fees to help offset costs. Crump reported on what other establishments in Marshall charge, saying MPL was right in line with others at 15 cents per one-sided copy, 30 cents for two-sided copy and 10 cents for prints from the computers.

In the staff report, summer reading 2009 has been a huge success with over 100 registered participants. In addition, it was noted Maria Hutchinson would be departing from the library staff, and "(staff members) are sorry to see her leave," the report said.

Borchers, Simonton, Anner Umana, Valenzuela and Wright were present at the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The August meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 13, and the board will discuss moving the meeting date to the second Thursday of each month.

Contact Jacob Hatfield at marshallpeople@socket.net