Newport Library Foundation Meeting February 20, 2008

Present: Marion Brown, Frances Clause, Charlotte Dinolt, Curt Fewkes, Jennifer Haggerty, Richard Kilbride, Patti Littlehales, Cindy McConnell, Terry Obteshka, Allen O’Neal, Wyma Rogers, Carol Ruggieri; Jennifer Keirans taking notes.

The meeting was called to order at 5:20 p.m.

The minutes from the December 2007 meeting were read and approved, with an addendum stating that that the upcoming science fiction movie night date and title were subsequently changed.

Presentation by the City Manager

City Manager Allen O’Neal discussed Rogers’ retirement and the upcoming recruitment process for a new library director. He began by praising Rogers’ leadership and saying that he is saddened to see Rogers go. He said that, effective May 1, 2008, Rebecca Cohen will be the interim director of the library, and that her salary will be appropriately adjusted.

Ads will be placed in various electronic formats. All advertising will be in electronic media, as print ads are prohibitively expensive. In addition, Keirans and Jeff Ingram will be developing a brochure about the library and community for interested applicants. Bob Gibson, a Lincoln City human resources consultant, is interested in assisting with the interview process and sorting the applications.

There will be a series of interviews. O’Neal said that a variety of people will be asked to take part in the interview process: one member each from the Library Board and Foundation, one city department head, two Library staff members (excluding Rebecca Cohen, Sheryl Eldridge, and Kay Eldon), and Janet Webster, director of the Guin Library.

He expects a finalist pool of 4-6 applicants. These applicants, as well as all members of the interview teams and the city council and various other interested parties, will be invited to a “community reception” to see how candidates interact with one another and with the public. During this reception they will be given a few unexpected writing and speaking challenges. O’Neal predicts that the public nature of this event will make some candidates uncomfortable, and that this will be important to know.

“It isn’t a quick process because I don’t want it to be a quick process,” O’Neal said. “Usually one candidate rises to the top … If at the end of the process we don’t have the right person, we’ll do it again.”

Foundation Board Appointments:

The term of Michelle Longo Eder (not present) expired. She is interested in continuing to serve. The Foundation unanimously voted her another 4-year term.

Treasurer’s Report

Dinolt presented the report, which shows that the solicitation letter was extremely successful. She called attention to the healthy balance in the Oregon Community Fund ($508,240.01). Brown suggested that it might be worthwhile to make an extra effort to remind people to think of the Foundation in their wills and bequests, and general discussion of how to do this followed.

Librarian’s Report

Rogers said that the Oregon Coast Community College is working with the library to make a laptop with Rosetta Stone language software available to patrons. She also showed the group the Science Fiction bibliography created by Keirans; discussed the design for the bench that is to be put out front of the library; and described the upcoming Bridges to Literacy event.

Newport Reads Report

Newport Reads 2008 is almost upon us and Fewkes and McConnell discussed final details. The movie, to be shown on March 20, is Transformers. Everything is on track for the group discussions and for the games night at the high school. McConnell said that the kids at the school are extremely excited.

Other business:

A bouquet, card, and small gift (a book-shaped brooch) were given to Patti Littlehales in thanks for her service as prior president.

The meeting adjourned at about 7 p.m.