Monday, July 14, 2008
Conference Room at 5 p.m.
Guests: Friends Rep. Kathy Kacena
Present: New Board member John Clemens, Molly Andersen, Kevin Gertsen, Voanne Hansen, Susan Kling, Bob Buckley, Eileen Robinson, Jo Pearson, Jack Zumwalt, Sue Verhille
Absent: Nancy Miller and Sally Reck
Molly Andersen made a motion to accept the agenda as revised with Item L. Summer Party added. Kevin Gertsen seconded. Carried.
It was discussed and decided that the board continue to send the staff members birthday and years of service/anniversary cards. The cost is $8 payable to Eileen Robinson.
After a discussion, Voanne Hansen made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Molly Andersen seconded. Carried.
Correspondence: Irene Kincheloe sent a thank you note to the board for her retirement party.
Karen Hoyt sent the library a letter stating that she is willing to loan her pastels of Squaw Creek Park to the library for a year. Discussion regarding placement and insurance followed. The board agreed to place the paintings in the boardroom.
The board received a thank you from Erin Gavin (Linn County Underage Drinking Coalition) for the use of the library for people to pick up “Alcohol Free Graduation” information.
Committee Reports:
Budget: None
Personnel: None
Friends Liaison: Kathy Kacena and Sue Verhille reported. The Friends annual Meeting will be held July 29th at 6:45. The bookstore has been taking in between $300-$400 a week. The Friends has provided snacks for the staff during this busy time.
New Board members are Ben Leu and Dave Faribault. The Friends Board still needs 2 new board members. The officers for 2008-2009 are: Mike Schmidt, President; Paula Pearson, Vice President; Pat Kress, Secretary; and Joleen Huguenin, Treasurer.
Building and Grounds: The board reviewed and discussed information from Tom Newbanks addressing the sump pump/water issue in the basement. There is recommendation from our Public Service Dept. for a possible solution. Susan Kling will be checking on the cost of the plumbing that needs to be done to make the sump pumps run more efficiently.
Web Page: The committee has met to review the status of upcoming revisions. The city has hired a design team.
Long Range Planning: Under Old Business
Librarian’s Monthly Report:
There was no staff meeting in June.
Jack Zumwalt and Susan Kling attended the Robins City Council meeting on June 2nd.
The library contract was discussed. Jack explained the rationale for the funding increase.
Circulation: The circulation was down 2,975 from June of 2007. The total circulation was 76,155 items. The server was down from June 13th-17th due to flooding at the Cedar Rapids Library. The standalone system was used during this time making the total of circulated items lower than it probably was. Due to the system being down, there will not be any fines in July and August.
Budget: The library is waiting for the final numbers for last year’s expenditures and is in the process of setting up the spreadsheet for this fiscal year.
Policy Update: Fine Thresholds and Replacement costs (continued from last month)
After the board’s discussion, Bob Buckley made a motion that the fines be raised to 20¢ for Children’s and 25¢ for adults. Discussion followed. Molly Andersen seconded. The board’s vote was 4 yes - 3 no. Passed.
Foundation: The golf outing was a huge success. The preliminary total of proceeds for this year is $11,081.
Online Catalog/Library Network: The online Catalog has been down since June 13 due to flooding at CRPL and will probably not be back up until August.
Giacoletto Foundation Grant: Author John Sandford has been rescheduled for July 22 at Washington High School at 7 p.m.
Summer Reading Programs: as of July 7th, 537 young adults have registered for the summer reading program. As of July 10, 2,298 children have registered for that program. The end of the summer reading program will be June 26th. The end of the summer party will be held August 2nd.
CRPL Flooding Update: Susan is keeping in contact with management at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. There are many concerns for the Metro Libraries. Two CR staff members have been working at the MPL. This has helped with the increased usage of our library due to the CRPL’s losses. Various accommodations have been made to help with the issues facing both libraries. It was suggested that our library invite a Cedar Rapids Board Representative to our next board meeting. The board discussed possible ways to show our support of the CRPL. A letter of support will be sent to the CRPL from the MPL. Our staff is continuing to do a wonderful job handling all the increased use.
Phone System Installation: The system should be ready by September 15th. The City Hall and Library staff will do training on September 17-18.
Smoke Free Air Act: The act went into effect July 1. Signs have been ordered for all the doors. No smoking is allowed on library grounds. Ashtrays have to be removed.
Summer Lunch: The summer “thank you” lunch for the staff will be on August 11th.
The board will provide the lunch thanking the staff for their extra work for the reading program and the help with the extra work due to this year’s flood.
Old Business: Library Service Responses
The board received a copy of their top 6 picks for service responses. The possibility of an additional meeting being held in October was discussed.
New Business: Library Board Committee Assignment: The board received a copy of the 2008-2010 committee assignments. This will be finalized next month.
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Robinson,
Secretary