Library Board

November 17, 2014 Board President Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. in the library board room with the following members present: Larry Jirsak, Connie Schmeichel, Jan Therien, Cindy Slykhuis and Virginia Meyer. Also present was Director Janet Davenport. The meeting was preceded by publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune 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 November 14, 2014 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 meeting on October 20, 2014. Board Member Schmeichel seconded the motion. Carried. Unfinished business - Library Board Work Plan - After discussion of Director Davenport’s impending absence for surgery and the busy holiday schedules in December, Board Member Theiren moved to cancel the December meeting. Member Meyer seconded. Motion was approved. The Board will pick up discussion of Work Plan in January. Board Member Therien will look into the coming NLA advocacy day. Board Member Meyer will send introductory e-mails to City Council. New Business - Author Event - Board Member Meyer proposed inviting author Ted Genoways to the Library for an Author Event spotlighting his new book The Chain; Farm, Factory and the Fate of Our Food. The book includes information on Fremont industry and issues. Board Member Therien moved to table the discussion until January Meeting. Board Member Slykhuis seconded and the motion was approved. Members will try to attend other author presentations by Mr. Genoways in the area in the interim. Policy Review – Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records - After discussion the Library Board requested Ms. Davenport ask the Law Department to review the existing policy and make recommendations to the Board. Board Member Schmeichel moved discussion of the policy be tabled until January. Board Member Therien seconded and the motion was approved. Director’s Report:  The Prime Time Family Reading Time series this fall will be wrapping up this coming Thursday, November 20. We have had both new and returning families and the program continues to be well received.  The Trip Paranormal event has been postponed by the group, they will reschedule a visit in December   Staffing continues to be stressed with two full time staff members out on medical leave. We hope one will be returning at the first of December. Director Davenport will have surgery and be out as well in December.  Director Davenport attended the Eastern Library System’s DIRECT meeting in North Bend.  The Friends of the Library Membership event was held on November 7th. Author Timothy Schaffert discussed his book, Swan Gondola the 1898 Trans Mississippi Exposition in which it was set. An audience of 32 enjoyed the presentation and festive refreshments.  Scribner Public Library will be holding its annual Tannenbaum Festival on Saturday November 22.  Katie Roberts is working on the next edition of the Library’s newsletter and would like to include a “Meet the Library Board” article. She would appreciate board members providing a brief statement of who they are and their interest in the library. Please e-mail Katie your input. Following is the report of the Library Director for September, 2014: October October Year to Year to 2014 2013 date date 2014 2013 No. of items issued: 12,291 11,862 12,291 11,862 Attendance: 8,879 10,309 8,879 10,309 Days Open: 31 31 Av. Daily Circulation: 396 383 396 383 Av. Daily Attendance: 286 333 286 333 Reference Questions: 289 244 289 244 Web Visits: 1,473 1,473 On-line Learning Sessions: 11 11 Database Searches: 4,129 474 4,129 474 Internet/Computer Use: 2,444 2,785 2,444 2,785 Interlibrary Loans: 74 114 74 114 Borrowed 8 30 8 30 Lent 66 84 66 84 Meeting Held: 80 83 80 83 Items Added: 454 Items Discarded: 1,142 Vol. in Collection: 110,559 Friends of the Library’s Report –  No formal Friends of the Library was presented.  The Friends November Membership event was discussed by the Board, noting its success and expressing questions about the change in format from previous years.   Board Member Therien inquired as to the process of expressing thanks to donors to the La Brezza statue’s base project. Director Davenport will pass concerns on to the Friends Board. Board Member Slykhuis moved to adjourn and Board Member Therien seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director