CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA
LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Main Library  
September 10, 2007

A meeting of the Library Board of the City of Peoria, Arizona was convened in open and 
public session at the Main Library, 8463 West Monroe Street in Peoria at 7:00 p.m. 

Members Present:  Members, Shirley Berow,  Steve Poe,  Rhona Cohensitt,  Alicia 
Snarr, and Joan Leone. 

Members Absent:  Barry Spiegel and Ed Comtois. 

Member Emeritus: 0

Other Municipal Officials Present:  Deborah Tasnadi, Library Manager,  David 
Hunenberg, Branch Librarian, and Lynn Lindell, Administrative Assistant. 

Audience: 0

MINUTES: A motion was made by Steve Poe, seconded by Rhona Cohensitt and upon 
vote, carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2007 meeting of the 
board.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. 	Presentation and discussion of updated Branch Library Design Plan  
David Hunenberg, Branch Librarian reviewed the updated plans for the new 
branch library.  He pointed out unique features including great flexibility in how 
each area may be used.  The design includes wavy lines, pebble effects, and 
port holes where children may sit to read or look out over the adjoining park 
area.  The board members were pleased to see that the space available will be 
well utilized.  David said that Yuki Corolla from Richard & Bauer met with Teens 
at SML Branch recently to hear the ideas they have for the Teen Area in the new 
library.  The ground breaking is on track for January.


REPORT FROM THE LIBRARY BRANCH MANAGER:

      1.	Staffing update  
Deborah Tasnadi gave this update and said that the Library welcomed two new 
staff members this week.  Myrna McLean fills a 20 hour Library Clerk vacancy at 
SML, and Becky Prunty fills a Library Assistant vacancy in Technical Services at 
the Main Library. There is still a part time Library Clerk position to be filled at the 
Main Library.  Interviews are scheduled later this week.  A part time Librarian is 
being recruited for the Main Library as a “Teen/Reference Librarian.”   Librarian 
Lynne Kollar is retiring in September.
 
2.      Friends of the Library update
David Hunenberg reported that the Friends group is very busy as they are planning two 
major events in October.  They meet on September 25 to finalize plans for the 
Reception which will wrap up the Teen Art Contest they are sponsoring again this year. 
They also are coordinating efforts for their annual Fall Book Sale on Saturday, October 
20th on the Youth Services Patio at the Main Library.  They have some very ambitious 
new members and are anxious to put them to work.  They have plans for a major fund 
raising effort for the new Library. 

3.	Summer Reading Programs-Final Report
The Friends group supported the Adult and Teen Summer Reading programs for the 
fifth year this summer.  They purchased some really great prizes, including two Grand 
Prize MP3 players and gift cards for weekly prize drawings. The Teen Program, “You 
Never Know” had great participation with 426 teens signing up for the program.  Of 
those starting the program 131 completed the program by reading at least 5 books, and 
claiming all of the prize incentives.  There were 223 adult participants in the “Sleuthing 
in the Stacks” adult reading program.  There were 95 who finished the adult program by 
reading at least 5 books.  The Children’s program, “Read your way to the Ballpark” had 
a total of 6,022 sign-ups.  There were five prize award levels this summer, with all of 
those completing the program receiving a free ticket to a Diamondbacks baseball game. 

4.  	Update on Grants
The Library “More Than Training” grant received from the State Library provided 
funding to reconfigure the Computer Training lab in the Youth hallway. The room now 
easily converts from a computer training lab with easy to move laptop computers, to a 
craft room with work tables and supplies easily stowed away in the room.  The final 
report on the grant has been submitted to the State.  The second grant was to affix 
RFID tags to the Main Library Collection and install the first “self-check” machine.  A 
major weeding was done on the main collection and RFID tags have been affixed to the 
majority of the collection.  The first self-check machine proved to be very helpful to 
customers and staff in the busy summer time.  Positive feedback has been received on 
the ease of use of the self-check machine.

5.        Teen Art Contest
The second annual Teen Art Contest will soon be underway.  Teens may submit entries 
through October 7th.  The contest is a little different this year in that a sculpture category 
has been added.  There will be prizes awarded for each category and one “Best of 
Show” award.  Professional judges have been selected to judge the contest this year. 
The Reception and awards night will take place on Wednesday, October 17 at SML 
Branch Library, at 6:30 p.m. The Friends of the Library will provide the cash awards and 
host the Reception.


6.	Tech U at the Library
Various technical and computer classes scheduled as Library Programs are now 
being promoted as “Tech U” at the Library.  Quarterly program calendars and other 
promotional items will have these classes listed as “Tech U”.  Customers have 
expressed interest in learning more about computers, blogs, digital cameras, and 
MP3 players.  These are some of the first class offerings under “Tech U”.

7.	Parking Lot Construction Update
The work on the additional parking is on track and still due to be completed in 
November.  David Hunenberg assured the board members that the minor 
inconveniences we are experiencing during the construction will be well worth it 
when the new parking area is open.


REPORT FROM THE BOARD:

Shirley Berow said that she had been appointed co-chair of the Grand Canyon Reader 
Awards.  She asked that she be allowed to post flyers promoting this program in the 
Library.  Deborah said that we would be able to post the flyers if she sends them to the 
library.

Rhona Cohensitt asked that Library staff investigate other options for Summer Reading 
programs for children.  Staff cited the cost involved in other programs as the reason 
that the Peoria Libraries remain with the “Read your way to the Ballpark” program.  

Rhona also requested that summer craft programs for Tweens be limited to weekly 
sign-up so that children may not sign up for the entire summer and then be “no shows” 
for the program.  This would allow more children the opportunity to attend the program.

The next meeting was tentatively set for Monday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. at SML 
Branch Library.


ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the board, Rhona Cohensitt made a 
motion to adjourn the meeting. Steve Poe seconded the motion. The meeting was duly 
adjourned at 8:00 P.M.



______________________				_________________________
Shirley Berow, Chairperson			Lynn Lindell,Administrative Assistant