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DIRECTOR'S REPORT
July 2007

    Director’s Report and Highlights
    July 17, 2007
    Pam Nyberg Kiesner, Library Director

    Strategic Planning Updates

    Facilities Manager Myron Carlson is attending our meeting to discuss with you the final Fairhaven Condition Assessment which includes the stucco report. A copy of the final report is in your packet.

    There is more information to report about our two new endeavors with Whatcom Community College and Barkley Village. I will also provide an update for you on the response we received to our Request for Qualifications for a library building consultant for our Building Program Statement. We will discuss whether all of you are interested in participating on the interview team; tentatively planned for Thursday or Friday, July 26th or 27th. Please bring your calendars.


    Trustee Education and Policies

    You’ll be reviewing a draft of a new “Public Use of Community Rooms” policy at your meeting. The policy is accompanied by a blue brochure that explains guidelines for the use and reservation of the rooms. Also in your packet is a revision of the “Eligibility for Library Service” policy that you discussed in June. Revisions are in blue.

    Because we’re talking about these policies, I’ve asked Deborah Brewer, our Public Services Librarian to attend the meeting; she helps develop and revise the library policies, converts them into policies if they have previously been a mix of policy and procedure, and helps our staff interpret the policies. She is a great resource, and will assist in answering your questions.

    In addition, Diana Black, our Community Rooms Coordinator, will be at the meeting to present information for you about the library’s Meeting Room Services. Diana is the friendly voice behind the phone when the public calls to reserve library rooms.


    Washington State Library Directors Meet

    This week I’m attending a two-day meeting with other library directors in Washington. We meet twice a year with great speakers - and it’s a good time to network with others who face similar challenges in the world of libraries.

    I’m pleased that the session on Thursday afternoon is opened up to other staff members because of the particularly high caliber of the presenters. Bethany Hoglund, Children’s Specialist and Beth Farley, Head of Information and Reader Services will be coming down to Federal Way to hear about “Libraries and Librarians: What the Future Holds”, presented by Stephen Abram, Vice President, Innovation and SirsiDynix (our automated system) AND Dr. Joe Janes, University of Washington’s iSchool.

    These meetings are always highly stimulating, affirming, and thought-provoking – and planned by a group of library directors who volunteer to share their time, and often their staff talent: the Director of King County Library System, Bill Ptacek; Director of Spokane County Library District, Mike Wirt; and Director of Pierce County Library System, Neel Parikh.


    See you on Tuesday! Stay cool!