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

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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

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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