Library Board

June 17, 2013 Board Member Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. in the library board room with the following members present: Larry Jirsak, Connie Schmeichel, Cindy Slykhuis and Jan Therien. Also present was Director Janet Davenport. Board Members absent: Jenice Wolfe. The meeting was preceded by publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune and Radio KHUB and the agenda displayed in the municipal building, the Keene Memorial Library, online at www.fremontne.gov/library and distributed and emailed to the Library Board members on June 12, 2013 and is open to the public. A copy of the open meeting law is posted continually for public inspection and is located near the entrance to the Board Room. Board Member Schmeichel moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings on April 15, 2013 and strategic planning minutes on May 17 and 18, 2013. Board Member Therien seconded the motion. Carried. Unfinished Business – Fremont Area Community Foundation Intensive Program - Director Davenport reported on the first meeting of the intensive program participants. She distributed the calendar of dates for the program, identifying the quarterly meetings that Library Board leadership and the Friends of the Library leadership would be attending. It was noted that Jessica Janssen was leaving the Fremont Area community Foundation Executive Director’s position and appreciation expressed for the support she has provided the Keene Memorial Library. Strategic Planning - The summary of the Keene Memorial Library Strategic Planning Meeting, May 17 – 18, 2013 was discussed by the Board. Board Member Slykhuis moved and Board Member Therien seconded that the Summary of the Keene Memorial Library Strategic Planning Meeting, May 17 – 18, 2013 be approved. Carried. Director Davenport will develop goal, tasks and a calendar based on the Summary. New Business – 2013-2014 Budget - Director Davenport provided the Library Board a list of the Capital Improvement Projects prepared with the assistance of City Planning Director Rian Harkins. This list was the basis of the Library’s CIP Request submitted June 12, 2013. Personnel requests were also discussed. Director Davenport indicated department heads were advised that property valuations were overall lower this year and as a result the city would be facing a tight budget year. The Library’s budget request will be submitted on June 21 requesting to maintain current programs and funding levels. Election of Officers - A slate of candidates was discussed by the Board. Officers presented were Larry Jirsak as President, Connie Schmeichel as Vice President and Jan Therien as Secretary. Board Member Slykhuis moved and Board Member Therien seconded that the slate be approved. Carried. Reports - Director’s Report:  Keene Memorial Library’s Prime Time Family Reading program had its last gathering on May 15, and the entire program has been deemed a success. We had 34 families participate in at least one session and 19 who completed the program. There were 96 registrants in the program. The participation level and the attendance of many fathers was noted as strong points by the Nebraska Humanities discussion leader.  Summer Reading Program is off to a great start. With 369 registered participants who had logged 22068 books, pages or minutes. We have changed our prize focus from toys as a reward to “Book Bucks” and have a SRP Book Cart that students can purchase a book to take home as their reward. This year we are offering an adult program in addition to the youth programs. So far 50 adult registrants have registered to read, with a goal of at least 15 minutes per day. Program attendance is strong and adding a 4th program to the feature entertainment offered on Mondays has allowed the Fremont Area YMCA to bring their summer program participants.  A representative of metropolitan Community College met with me to discuss partnerships opportunities. Cards for non-resident MCC students and cooperative grants and projects were among the ideas shared.  Charlie Cusick of the Work Force Development office in Fremont for the Nebraska Department of Labor visited with me to provide information on the closing of his office. As a result we may see more customers coming to the library to use computers to look for jobs, to file for unemployment benefits, and to make weekly reports. Mr. Cusick will meet with the library staff on June 25 to introduce them to the NE Dept of Labor’s website and provide them with information to share with library customers.  Youth Services staff have been busy making school visits prior to the Summer Reading Program kick off and provided a library booth and craft at the annual EcoFair.  The Fremont Eagles Auxiliary presented the library with a $200 gift to be used to purchase Large Print books. Following is the report of the Library Director for May, 2013: May May Year to Year to 2013 2012 Date Date 2011-12 2011-12 No. of items issued: 10,816 14,377 86,284 98,021 Attendance: 10,426 10,179 79,120 76,832 Days Open: 30 30 Av. Daily Circulation: 361 479 Av. Daily Attendance: 348 339 Reference Questions: 406 593 2,977 4,188 Database Searches:* 846 1,551 8,261 5,187 Overdrive (downloadable bks) 496 343 3,481 2,382 Interlibrary Loans: 52 106 697 864 Borrowed 3 18 68 87 Lent 49 88 629 777 Meeting Held: 62 70 653 611 Internet/Computer Use: 2,788 2,834 20,151 20,412 Items Added: 449 Items Discarded: 630 Vol. in Collection: 96,729 Friends of the Library’s Report – None Board Member Slykhuis moved to adjourn and Board Member Therien seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 5:14 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director