Library Board

July 15, 2013 Board Member Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. in the library board room with the following members present: Larry Jirsak, Connie Schmeichel, Cindy Slykhuis and Jan Therien and Jenice Wolfe. Also present was Director Janet Davenport. 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 July 10, 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 Therien moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings on June 17, 2013. Board Member Slykhuis seconded the motion. Carried. Unfinished Business – 2013-2014 Budget Update -Director Davenport reported that the budget request for Keene Memorial Library had been submitted on June 21. The request reflected maintaining ongoing levels of funding for services. Additional personnel requests included a Library Assistant III and a part time Janitor or funding for paid janitorial services. Technology requests included iPads for Staff and for public use in the library. Meeting with City Administrator Shotkoski and Finance Director Jody on July 10, several minor changes were made. The need for additional janitorial help was supported, but the full time Library Assistant III will not be funded. It was determined the allocation for materials would be reduced by the amount left unspent at the end of the year which had been defined for processing. The available funds for materials will remain the same, but the budget figure will appear reduced from $185,000 to $170,000 an amount that covers the cost of materials, outsourced processing and cataloging and shipping. Capital projects were pushed back a year and spending reduced in that line. A revised budget would be presented to City Council in August. Strategic Planning - Director Davenport reported that work on developing tasks for the strategic plan goals was being done with staff. Information will be brought to the Board at a future meeting. New Business – Public Library Accreditation Process, Preparation for Upcoming Application - Copies of the Preview Application for Public Library Accreditation by the Nebraska Library Commission, 2013 were presented to the Board. Director Davenport pointed out that while Keene Memorial Library’s accreditation expires in December 2014, the application process will begin in July 2013. It is a good time now to begin to look at the requirements and work to prepare for the application process. One area which will be examined is the whether the library has recommended policies in place. The library board is expected to review these policies every three years. Towards that end we will at future library board meetings begin a process of reviewing one to two policies each month. Library Cards for Residents of Somers Point Apartments - Board President Jirsak expressed interest in whether the residents of the Somers Point Apartments were eligible for free library cards. Currently the answer is they are not, as the apartments are outside of the city limits. The question of whether we could make an exception was discussed and Director Davenport will do research on the status of the Fremont Housing Authority managed apartments, future annexation and options. Reports - Director’s Report:  KFMT Radio station has featured the library in a monthly interview in the last several months. In July Director Davenport discussed current library projects.  The library will be hosting an intern from the UNO Library Sciences program this fall. Director Davenport and Youth Services Librarian met with Dr. Becky Pasco the UNO Library Sciences Program chair to discuss the internship and requirements.  The Library experienced a day of extreme heat as a chiller went off line on July 8. The issue was resolved by early afternoon. The ability to connect the HVAC controls to an alarm service on the chiller is being examined to eliminate future such occurrences.  The Fremont Tribune picked up on the approval of our contract for the Freegal downloadable music service and prepared an excellent article about the service coinciding with Freegal going on line on July 12th.  Director Davenport and staff are evaluating two online tutoring services, Tutor.com and Brainfuse for addition as a resource to support the educational goals of the community. Following is the report of the Library Director for June, 2013: June June Year to Year to 2013 2012 Date Date 2012-13 2011-12 No. of items issued: 14,437 16,129 100,721 114,150 Attendance: 12,120 10,312 91,240 87,144 Days Open: 30 30 Av. Daily Circulation: 481 538 Av. Daily Attendance: 259 344 Reference Questions: 285 763 3,262 4,951 Database Searches: 916 810 9,232 5,997 Overdrive (downloadable bks) 499 320 3.980 2,702 Interlibrary Loans: 91 109 788 973 Borrowed 8 14 76 102 Lent 83 94 712 871 Meeting Held: 91 107 744 718 Internet/Computer Use: 2,997 2,832 23,148 23,244 Items Added: 286 Items Discarded: 294 Vol. in Collection: 96,721 Friends of the Library’s Report – Director Davenport reported the Friends annual Lemonade on the Lawn event was very successful. Over 100 children, parents and caregivers enjoyed the Lincoln NE musical group the String Beans as they presented fun music and entertainment aimed at children. Board Member Slykhuis moved to adjourn and Board Member Schmeichel seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director