Library Board

April 20, 2015 Board President Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. in the library board room with the following members present: Larry Jirsak, Jan Therien, and Virginia Meyer Also present were Library Director Janet Davenport. Members absent: Connie Schmeichel. 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 April 16, 2015 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 March 16, 2015. Board Member Meyer seconded the motion. Carried. Unfinished business - 2015-2018 Strategic Planning Process - The Board discussed how we should go about a strategic planning process for the coming two years. A tentative time frame has been established. One possibility is the use of a consultant as facilitator. Director Davenport was asked to provide brief biographies of consultants we have used or might consider. The issue is continued for further planning and discussion. Library Board Work Plan Status - President Jirsak expressed incomplete knowledge of this project since he had been unable to attend the workshop it resulted from. Director Davenport will send the report of that meeting and workplan notes as developed. New Business - Potential of Joint Meeting with Friends of the Library Board - President Jirsak, who serves as Library Board Liaison to the Friends Board has proposed the two boards meet jointly to develop closer ties and work cooperatively together. The May 4th meeting of the Friends Board was proposed, but not all Board members would be free to attend. Resignation of Library Board Member Cindy Slykhuis – Board Member Slykhuis’ resignation was received. Ms. Slykhuis has moved out of the community and will no longer be able to serve. Possible Recommendations to the Mayor on a New Board Member - Board members discussed the need for a new Board member. They hoped to add more diversity to the Board. Board Member Meyer will make some contacts to identify possible recommendations. Director Report: News  The library’s annual report was presented to the City Council at their March 31 meeting.  March 31 the library hosted a wrap up event for the Smart Investing @ Your Library customer education program. Six of the thirteen individuals who signed up for the program completed the online course in the 4 week event period. Others can continue to access the tutorials to complete as they have time.  Joy Johnson, Omaha author of the BOOB Girls (Burned Out Old Broads at Table 12) series of mysteries, visited the library on April 7. She provided a highly entertaining introduction to the characters of her novels, answered questions and autographed books for a small but very engaged audience.  The Fremont Reads Challenge tallied 5385 hours of reading in the community. To mark the event Peg and Cat (NET characters) visited the library on April 17.  On April 16 the library celebrated National Library Week, April 12 – 18 with an open house for the public with refreshments served through the day. Geek the Library and Mango Languages giveaways were available to visitors.  April is National Poetry Month. Keene Memorial Library celebrated poetry with a display of poetry books and a lovely display done by Katie Roberts. Books of poetry were highlighted and available to check out. Customers were invited to “Write a poem, draw a picture that illustrates any poem, or simply pick your favorite poem and decorate it” in a poetry month contest. Entries were posted and the public could vote on their favorite. Prizes will be awarded to the public favorite and a library judges selection on May 1.  April is also Financial Literacy Month. The Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance with the help of the Nebraska Library Commission offered an investor education program “DASH for the STASH” contest. Keene Memorial Library was a participating library with posters hung around the library for players to locate and read. They then will go to a web page with questions, either by QR code or a web address. By registering and answering all questions players are entered in a drawing for a $1,000 IRA investment. The library with the most participants will win $100.  The Voice for America’s Libraries is published by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, a division of ALA, bimonthly. We receive two copies and board members are invited to look at them if they are interested. Let me know. Personnel  Our last part-time Library Aide started on April 13. Darienne Holley is completing her elementary education program at Midland and will assist with children’s programming as part of her duties.  The Library Assistant III we have hired is scheduled to start May 4th. Danielle Rein comes to Keene Memorial Library with an undergraduate degree in Library Science from  UNO and previous experience at the library on the Elkhorn Campus of Metro Community College. Facilities I am getting quotations for several maintenance needs:  Elevator work required by the Division of Elevator Safety, Nebraska Department of Labor.  Refurbishing the terrazzo floor in the central walk way of the library  Installation of a water softener and repair work to descale the humidifier  Summer mowing Mark your Calendars Upcoming events at the library include:  April 22 – Bill Jamerson will present stories and songs about the “Dollar a Day Boys” CCC workers in the 1930’s.  June 19 – Overdrive, the vender we receive our e-books and half of our e-audio from, has a touring “Digital Bookmobile” and are scheduling a stop in Fremont at the Library. Following is the report of the Library Director for March, 2015: March March Year to Year to 2015 2014 Date Date 2014-15 2013-14 No. of items issued: 9,941 11,107 64,084 65,313 Attendance: 7,876 45,342 Days Open: 31 31 Av. Daily Circulation: 321 358 Av. Daily Attendance: 254 Reference Questions: 348 312 1,826 1,750 Web Visits: 1,569 1,551 7,942 7,094 On-line Learning Sessions: 37 5 101 131 Database Searches: 4,229 3,597 15,090 28,222 Internet/Computer Use: 2,087 2,490 11,875 13,058 Interlibrary Loans: 73 93 457 560 Borrowed 13 10 59 105 Lent 60 83 398 455 Meeting Held: 64 71 402 432 Items Added: 384 Items Discarded: 741 Vol. in Collection: 106,913 Friends of the Library’s Report – Board President Jirsak, the Board liaison to the Friends reported the book sale was very successful, making $12,723 and up from the previous year’s income. Lemonade on the Lawn will be held on Saturday July 11 at 2 PM. They are planning a “Frozen” themed event. Board Member Meyer moved to adjourn and Board Member Therien seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director