IX. Committee Reports a. Board Art Committee Discussion Mr. Oermann reported on upcoming exhibits that the committee has been working on with the help of Liz Coleman. The first is a puppet exhibition in the Courtyard Gallery, which will be accompanied by an article about the Puppet Festival in Nashville Arts Magazine. This fall, the library will be partnering with Arts in the Airport to display works from their huge collection of art by local artists. Early next year, we will be working with artist Britt Stadig on a book art exhibit, in which twenty artists have been commissioned to participate. X.
New Business Mr. Oliver explained that staff has been working the past few months to prepare both the required 2% budget reduction recommendation as well as a reasonable budget enhancement request. He presented an extended PowerPoint summary of the library’s recent budget history. Among various trends it indicated that since 2000, circulation and visit figures have dramatically increased and we have almost tripled our square footage (because of the new Main Library and the five Area Branches), but our current staff levels are close to pre-expansion levels. In addition, NPL is open fewer service hours system wide than prior to the expansion. a. 2013/2014 Budget Reduction Resolution—Kent Oliver & Chase Adams Library Administration is recommending two cuts in service to meet the $404,800 reduction: the closing of one community branch (to be determined) and the elimination of the Talking Library. Ms. Schmid explained that the Talking Library has not kept up with technological advances (the service is still a radio broadcast), and that therefore there are better state- and federally-funded services available. She also reviewed a recent survey of users that indicated marginal usage of the service. Joyce Searcy moved for approval of this resolution, Robert Oermann seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2013-02.01 2013/14 Budget Reduction Recommendation
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County has requested that the library submit a 2% budget reduction scenario for the current budget process, and WHEREAS, reductions in the library’s operating budgets over previous years do not allow for budget reductions without service elimination and reduction; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Nashville Public Library Board that the Board concurs with the staff recommendation to eliminate a community branch library and the Talking Library service should a budget reduction occur in the 2013/14 Metro budget adoption process. b. 2013/2014 Budget Enhancement Resolution—Kent Oliver & Chase Adams The library has lost approximately 68 full time equivalent staff over the last ten years. The budget enhancement request includes additional staff to open all branches on Fridays, to open the Main Library on Mondays, to adequately staff the new Southeast facility, and to meet the needs of the expanding Limitless Libraries program. It also includes 4% funding of the materials budget (which includes e-content), Emerging Technologies enhancements (such as databases, software, and online periodicals), grounds maintenance, and capital improvements (including new carpet, furniture, and 3|Page