Attendance: Board – Sylva Staab, Patti Roberts, Chris Kowrach; Staff – Carol Kampenhout, Chris Sokol, George Williams; Director – Anne Cheadle.  No members of the public were in attendance.

Staab called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.  She presented a letter from board member Pat Eck announcing his immediate resignation from the board due to his recent move to Portland.  The letter is appended to the minutes.

Staab asked if there was public comment.  Cheadle introduced George Williams, the new Access Services Manager.

Staab solicited comments on the July meeting minutes.  After brief discussion, Roberts moved and Kowrach seconded to approve the minutes as written.  Motion unanimously carried.

In Eck’s absence, Staab presented the Treasurer’s report.  She referenced Kampenhout’s e-mailed highlights of the Revenue/Expenditure report as part of the presentation.  Kampenhout clarified that the accrued taxes for the fiscal year ending in September will be received by the library as late as November.

Roberts moved and Kowrach seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report.  Motion unanimously carried.

Staab solicited questions on the July expenditures and there were none.  Roberts moved and Kowrach seconded to approve the July expenditures.  Motion unanimously carried.

Cheadle presented the Director’s report.  She had several clarifications and additions, which included:

• Presented board members with an image of the outdoor sign being made for the Moscow Library
• Elaborated on the problems with the recent Voyager software upgrade
• Detailed fulfilling the terms of the Troy Library Gates grant
• Clarified the possible VALNet Authority Control grant
• Summarized the Adopt-a-Magazine campaign results:  a total of $1,094 had been collected through the campaign to-date, with 17 separate donors contributing an average of $64
• Offered results of the requested research into the idea of a new library bookdrop across town in Moscow
• Announced that energy audits were in progress and had already been completed at the Potlatch and Juliaetta libraries
• Reported that the Youth Services Manager was currently compiling an overview of the 2007 Summer Reading Program
• Briefly outlined the xeriscaping project at the Moscow Library

Cheadle presented the Use and Program Statistics.

Staab confirmed there were no committee reports.

Adult Services Manager Chris Sokol presented her annual report.  A copy of the report is appended to the minutes.  Sokol addressed questions from Kowrach regarding weeding strategies.  She also answered questions about MP3 players appropriate for eAudiobook use and discussed the interest in offering public educational programs as part of the xeriscape project.

Staab thanked Sokol for her report and for her service to the library.  Cheadle commended Sokol as an invaluable member of the management team, with unique breadth and depth of library experience as well as an excellent sense of what materials Latah County patrons want.

Staab presented the 2007-2008 budget for discussion.  Roberts commented that she was glad that the public seems comfortable enough to trust the library’s budget process.  Kowrach noted that the legal notices did not currently appear in the Latah Eagle’s online edition and she will follow up with that newspaper.

Staab noted the new line item for board travel and education.  Kampenhout clarified that the 2006-2007 salary budget allowed for several unknowns and therefore was higher than the proposed 2007-2008 amount.  Kampenhout confirmed that sales tax revenue was budgeted to increase by $10,000 in 2007-2008.

Roberts moved to accept the proposed 2007-2008 budget.  Kowrach asked Cheadle for her recommendation and Cheadle endorsed the proposed budget as written.  Kowrach then seconded the motion to accept the budget.  Motion unanimously carried.

Staab presented the idea of conducting a board/staff retreat either separately or in conjunction with a review of the library’s strategic plan.  After discussion, it was agreed that Staab and Cheadle would investigate the level of interest in reviewing the strategic plan and report back to the board.

Staab addressed the issue of the current trustee vacancy.  She volunteered to serve in the Treasurer role until a new board member is appointed.

Kowrach presented draft documents that she and Cheadle have developed to address the trustee vacancy.  Those documents included a candidate application form, an in-library information sheet and a press release regarding the vacancy.  Copies of the drafts are appended to the minutes.

Staab complimented Kowrach on the drafts.  After discussion, the board agreed on the following procedures for appointing a replacement trustee:

• The vacancy will be posted for two weeks
• The notice will be sent to local newspapers as a press release rather than a legal notice
• The entire board will serve as the selection committee
• Applications will be screened by the Latah County Clerk’s office to verify eligibility
• If more than one candidate applies, selection interviews will be conducted at the September 18th board meeting as part of the public meeting

Staab volunteered to send a letter to Pat Eck on behalf of the board, thanking him for his service.

Roberts volunteered to send a letter to the Potlatch City Council on behalf of the board.  She wanted to thank them for including the library when negotiating their new lease with First Step Internet.

There was further discussion on the relationships between the library district and its various communities.  Staab stressed the importance of Cheadle’s involvement in developing community relationships.

Staab asked whether the board felt a board member should be involved in the Latah County Library District Foundation now that Eck’s own participation may be more limited.  Kowrach and Roberts suggested that the board ask Stauber since she currently has no board assignment.

There was no public comment.

Staab confirmed there was no need for an executive session.

Staab adjourned the meeting at 6:55 PM.