the library network newsletter march 12, 2012tln.lib.mi.us/newsletter/files/archives/2012/2012 - 03...
TRANSCRIPT
The Library Network Newsletter
March 12, 2012
Page 2 - TLN Membership Meeting 11/4/2011
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Approved: 2/24/12
TLN Membership Meeting
November 4, 2011, Salem-South Lyon District Library
I. Welcome & call to order at 10:04 a.m. by Steering Committee Chair Bill Harmer. Salem-South
Lyon District Library Director Doreen Hannon welcomed the group.
II. Introductions/Announcements: No announcements.
III. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Paula Gauthier (Brandon), seconded by Kathleen Zaenger
(Howell) to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Minutes of July 22, 2011: Motion by Paulette Medvecky (Wayne), seconded by
Julie Farkas (Novi) to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
V. Steering Committee Update: Bill Harmer explained that it has become extremely difficult to fill
vacant committee seats, which brought forward the proposed changes to membership
structure. The Steering Committee would like to focus on continuing education this year,
helping TLN develop into a more cost-friendly, local source for professional development.
One idea being considered is an orientation to TLN, its purpose and role, and the scope of the
various TLN committees. We would also like to put together a Legacy program that would
allow Directors to share skills and develop future leaders. Step one in all this will be a survey
of the membership to determine what kind of skills are sought.
VI. TLN Update: Jim Pletz emphasized Personal Property Tax will be a big concern if a bill is
introduced in either the state House or Senate. He apologized for the delay in launching the
new TLN website; it will be up by January. Michigan Cooperative Directors’ survey was e-
mailed this morning – please take the survey, it is critical we have near 100% participation.
Officials in Lansing believe 11 library cooperatives is too many and want to consolidate.
Cooperative structure must provide some consistent basic services to be viable and survive.
Jim pledges to bring new librarian workshop from Gaylord to Southeast Michigan.
VII. Unfinished Business
a. Reciprocal Borrowing Guidelines: motion by Maria McCarville (Wayne County),
seconded by Paula Gauthier (Brandon) to bring this issue to a vote. Bill Harmer prefaced
the discussion by stating these are just guidelines, there is no enforcement mechanism.
This is an addendum to the TLN Plan of Service. Discussion of the voting process
preceded discussion of the issue. Motion-makers withdrew original motion. Christine
Hage (Rochester Hills) moved to discuss the issue today and put it to a written ballot
vote. Motion was seconded by Jessica Keyser (Hazel Park). Celia Morse (Berkley)
suggested the guidelines be clarified to include non-resident cards that are not purchased
but given as a courtesy to people who work for local businesses though they do not live
there. James Lenze (Inkster) spoke regarding contracts as an option for cost-cutting for
municipalities. Also discussion of abuse at self check-out machines. Jim Pletz stated
there have been only 5 exceptions which have slipped through in the Dearborn/Dearborn
Heights reciprocity experiment – there have been no abuses. The proposed guidelines are
an encouraged rather than a mandated policy. Motion carried. The guidelines will be put
to a written ballot vote.
b. Reconstitution of Steering Committee Membership: Motion by Joan Rogers (Waterford)
to adopt the proposal to reconstitute the steering committee membership, seconded by
Approved: 2/24/12
Connie Jo Ozinga (Commerce). Laura Mancini (Oakland County) proposed Oakland
County have a permanent seat as well as Wayne County. Explanation from various
parties. The population served by Wayne County Library is 234,997 – by far the largest
library system in TLN. The seat does not represent all libraries in Wayne County, but
rather the libraries administered by the Wayne County Library system. This proposal
will be voted on by written ballot at the same time as the reciprocal borrowing guidelines.
VIII. New Business
a. Evanced Calendar Presentation (Garrett Hungerford, Salem-South Lyon District Library
& Angie Michelini, TLN): The TLN Technology Committee formed a subcommittee to
review calendar software options. Evanced was already being used by a number of
libraries, and is the recommended product. TLN has secured group pricing. Several
testimonials from the group highly recommended the product.
IX. Break
X. Presentation: Doreen Hannon announced the recent unveiling of SSLDL’s new website, and that
SSLDL has purchased “What do you Geek?” shirts for its entire staff, Board, and Friends to
wear. They will use them as talking points in the community to advocate for libraries.
Doreen introduced OCLC’s Jennifer Powell, who presented the Geek the Library campaign,
sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It is a hip educational campaign that can
be used to heighten awareness about libraries.
a. The theory: What would happen if we did an awareness campaign to influence the
segments of the voting population that have the most potential to become committed
library supporters? Survey found there is a huge need for education, to let supporters
know how public libraries are funded and how vital support is. People who see the
library as a transformational force in people’s lives and communities are more likely to
support library funding. Overall, the key to increasing funding support for the library is
to change the library conversation, and the library perception, from services and
information to transformation. There is a need to change people’s perceptions of the
library while making the case for funding.
b. The solution: Geek the Library – a community-based public awareness campaign that
targets the right audience with the right message. Whatever you geek, the library
supports you.
c. First, create a buzz. Second, engage the community with events, speak in schools and to
other groups, and get their attention. Third, start talking about what the library does.
d. Advertising – The campaign has created cable TV, newspaper and radio ads, billboards,
handouts, online banners and paid search ads. Bumper stickers, t-shirts, stickers, bags,
postcards, posters, bookmarks, stickers are all available – you get a free kit if you sign up
to participate in the campaign. Two more kits come later. Geek the Library gets people’s
attention. There have been terrific increases in awareness in the test markets. A
comprehensive report about the pilot campaign is available online. 300-400 libraries are
participating right now.
e. PR works best through local relationships. Libraries have had good success with letters
to the editor, radio campaign interviews, etc. There are lots of teen videos on YouTube if
Approved: 2/24/12
you look up “what do you geek?” Advertising helps establish awareness in a short time.
You can customize ads with local faces and topics.
f. Events – The campaign will provide free tablecloths and other support for events. People
love to sign the geek wall.
g. OCLC provides free materials, access to an online campaign management center, and a
field team that will help you. They recommend at least 6 months with the campaign.
Lead time can be about a month. This cannot be used during a millage campaign, but can
be used to build awareness before you start one. Sign ups are welcomed through March
2012 to begin by June, wrap up for the overall campaign planned around June 2013. It is
unclear what the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will do at that point. They are not
sure what the next phase will look like yet.
h. Jim Pletz stated TLN Steering Committee will look at the Geek campaign at its February
meeting for possible system-wide support.
XI. Other: Angie Michelini invited the membership to attend the Telecom meeting next Wednesday
at Novi or via videoconference. Doreen Hannon gave a shout-out to Novi Public Library for
winning the State Librarian’s Excellence Award.
XII. Meeting adjourned by Bill Harmer at 12:19.
Next meeting: February 24, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at Bloomfield Township Public Library.
Minutes respectfully submitted,
Lisa Hoenig
Steering Committee Secretary
Approved: 2/24/12
Attendance: TLN Membership Meeting November 4, 2011
Teresa Natzke Franklin
Anne Hage Huntington Woods
Mary Karshner Royal Oak
James Lenze Inkster
Lisa Hausman Garden City
Heather Sturm Manchester
Lawrence Marble Salem-South Lyon
Garrett Hungerford Salem-South Lyon
Kate Pohjola Ferndale
Doug Koschik Baldwin
Julie Farkas Novi
Kirk Borger Riverview
Theresa Powers Taylor
Laura Mancini Oakland County
Karen Kotulis-Carter Bloomfield Township
Deb Green Belleville
Paula Gauthier Brandon
Cindy Mack Wixom
Ed Rutkowski Brighton
Leslee Niethammer Saline
Patty Braden Romulus
Jim Pletz TLN
Michael Tyler TLN
Holly Teasdle Lyon Township
Jessica Keyser Hazel Park
Larry Ostrowski White Lake
Stephanie McCoy Auburn Hills
Anne Mannisto Northville
Joan Rogers Waterville
Celia Morse Berkley
Michael McCaffery Dearborn Heights
Paul McCann Dexter
Pat Thomas Plymouth
Christine Hage Rochester Hills
Tina Hatch Milford
Jude Halloran Highland
Elizabeth Gulick Clawson
Paulette Medvecky Wayne
Anita O’Brien Wyandotte
Kathleen Zaenger Howell
Julie Herrin Northville
Kathleen Monroe Livonia
Angie Michelini TLN
Lisa Hoenig Redford
Doreen Hannon Salem-South Lyon
Cathy P. Forst Springfield
Bill Harmer Chelsea
Maria McCarville Wayne County
Connie Jo Ozinga Commerce