Library Board

September 16, 2013 Board Member Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 4:01 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. 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 September 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 Slykhuis moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings on July 15, 2013 with the correction Board Member Wolfe was not present. Board Member Schmeichel seconded the motion. Carried. Unfinished Business – Strategic Planning – Tasks 2014–2015: Director Davenport distributed a Task List for the 2013-14 year ahead. Discussion of the tasks included how they would be measured and tracked. Board Member Slykhuis suggested a spreadsheet that listed tasks, who was responsible and completion dates be used. The Board liked many ideas and suggested others. Discussion of the task list will be carried over to a future meeting. Budget Update – Ms. Davenport presented the Board with a copy of the Library budget as it will be presented to the City Council for 2nd and 3rd readings and approval on September 20, 2013 No further changes have been made since the Library Director met with the City Administrator and Finance Director were reported and discussed at the July meeting. New Business – Policy Review – Meeting Room Policy: Ms. Davenport discussed the new format for the Meeting Room Policy, separating policy from library rules and procedures. The board liked the new formal and recommended future policies be treated accordingly. Board Member Slykhuis moved the revised meeting room policy be approved and Board Member Schmeichel seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Marketing Plan: Marketing the library and developing better public awareness is one of the principles identified in the Strategic Plan Summary. Marketing related activities such as adopting the city branding logo and reworking publications with it included have been undertaken. Staff has produced the first of what is hoped to be an ongoing newsletter. A more formalized marketing plan is needed to present a coordinated picture of the library to the community. Ms Davenport would like to form a marketing committee with board, staff and Friends members included. Board Member Slykhuis was asked if she would be willing to serve on such a committee, drawing on her expertise in the marketing field to support the library. She is willing to serve on this committee. Ms. Davenport will identify staff members, invite Friends participation and move forward with establishing a committee. The idea of working with an intern from Midland or other educational institution to assist in the marketing effort was suggested. Nebraska Library Association Conference: The Nebraska Library Association Conference will be held in Kearney on October 9-11. Ms. Davenport and Laura England-Biggs plan to attend. Board members were invited to participate if interested, but found the location in Kearney to be a deterrent. The 2014 NLA Conference will be held in South Sioux City, board members may want to considerate participation in that conference as it is nearer to Fremont. Ms. Davenport also reported that she and Laura England-Biggs had attended the Association for Rural and Small Libraries National Conference in Omaha at the end of September. Reports - Director’s Report: An abbreviated Director’s Report was given as the meeting was running overtime. Ms. Davenport Reported: • Tutor.Com and online tutoring and career search support service with live tutoring between 2 and 11 PM was added to our electronic resources on September 9. • The vestibule project is currently out for bid, with bid due October 2. • Staff has participated in Middle School orientation nights • October 1 is Runza Great Books for Great Kids Day. They will donate a percentage of the daily proceeds to the library for children’s materials. Eat at Runza on Oct. 1! • The Friends are hosting a Chamber of Commerce coffee at the library on Nov. 19 Following is the report of the Library Director for July, 2013: July July Year to Year to 2013 2012 Date Date 2011-12 2010-11 No. of items issued: 14,878 14,712 115,559 128,862 Attendance: 11,980 12,165 103,220 99,309 Days Open: 30 30 Av. Daily Circulation: 496 490 Av. Daily Attendance: 399 405 Reference Questions: 347 500 3,609 5,451 Database Searches: 2,382 978 11,614 6,975 Overdrive (downloadable bks) 479 365 4,459 3,067 Interlibrary Loans: 47 86 835 1,059 Borrowed 8 9 84 111 Lent 39 77 751 948 Meeting Held: 72 86 816 804 Internet/Computer Use: 3,420 3,199 26,568 26,443 Items Added: 435 Items Discarded: 341 Vol. in Collection: 96,815 Following is the report of the Library Director for August, 2013: August August Year to Year to 2013 2012 Date Date 2012-13 2011-12 No. of items issued: 12,023 13,534 127,622 142,396 Attendance: 10,844 11,157 114,064 110,466 Days Open: 31 31 Av. Daily Circulation: 388 437 Av. Daily Attendance: 350 360 Reference Questions: 214 545 3.823 5,996 Database Searches: 1,315 793 12,929 7,768 Overdrive (downloadable bks) 605 385 5,064 3,452 Interlibrary Loans: 108 98 943 1,157 Borrowed 13 12 97 123 Lent 95 86 846 1,034 Meeting Held: 62 59 878 863 Internet/Computer Use: 3,132 3,407 29,700 29,850 Items Added: 512 Items Discarded: 1,085 Vol. in Collection: 96,242 Friends of the Library’s Report – Ms. Davenport reported the Friends Board had met on Sept. 9. Several new board members have been recruited and the meeting was centered on developing a strategic plan for renewal of the group’s structure and activities. Dessert in the Stacks has been canceled for lack of participation in past years and the desire to start some fresh activities. Board Member Schmeichel moved to adjourn and Board Member Slykhuis seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director