Library Board

August 17, 2015 Board President Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. in the library board room with the following members present: Larry Jirsak, Jan Therien, Connie Schmeichel and Valeria Marquez. Also present were Library Director Janet Davenport. Member absent: Lori Dahl 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 August 13, 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 July 20, 2015, Board Member Schmeichel seconded the motion. Carried. New Board Member Valeria Marquez was welcomed. Board Member Therien suggested each of the existing Board members introduce themselves and share a little bit about themselves. Board Member Marquez also shared information about herself. Library Staff Member Visit – Dorlissa Beyer, Library Assistant II Ms. Beyer introduced herself and shared some of her life story. She graduated from UNO with a BA in Library Science in May 2015. She works on cataloging materials at Keene Memorial Library and is part of the team planning adult programming. One project she is working on with Kelly Olson is providing classes in basic computer use topics for the public. They are also planning brown bag lunches that also focus on accessing online job information, library databases, using tablets and other topics of interest. The Board was very receptive to this plan and talked with Ms. Beyer about marketing plans for the services. Unfinished business – Policy on Circulation of E-readers - Revisions were offered to the policy on circulation of e-readers previously reviewed in April 2014. Fines and Fees were added to the policy. The Board was concerned that the replacement cost of the reader be clearly spelled out to users. Board Member Schmeichel moved that we add language indicating the cost that the user will be responsible for paying if the item is lost or damaged. Board Member Therien seconded, the motion was approved. Library Director Davenport indicated the policy will read ”the user will be asked to sign an agreement assuming responsibility for the specified replacement cost of the e-reader” and the agreement to be signed will show the cost of the specific equipment being issued. This will accommodate the addition of different e-readers, with differing costs. Meeting Room Policy - Board Member Therien addressed the issue. She indicated that while she was still concerned about the access to meeting rooms being tied up by groups who book multiple meetings for the course of a year at one time. Board Member Therien indicated that she did not think revisions would resolve this matter at the time and suggest the policy be left as is. Strategic Planning - Director Davenport suggested we postpone the Strategic Planning process until after the New Year to allow new Board Members to become familiar with the Library Board’s activities. Board Members concurred and planning will be postponed. Budget Update - Director Davenport indicated the City Budget, which includes the library’s budget will be submitted to City Council on September 1st at a special meeting and then approved at the regular meeting of September 8th. The operating budget the library presented is going forward with no changes so far. Director Davenport shared that she had been informed a Councilman was inquiring to City Finance about the library’s operating costs. The board requested they be notified if it looks like changes might be proposed and they would try to attend the City Council meeting. Board Member Therien commented on the dismal appearance of the restrooms, noting holes on the wall and partitions where previous fixtures had been removed and their general datedness. Director Davenport indicated they needed updated to meet ADA requirements as well and that this is a capital project identified in the City’s capital budget, currently proposed for 2017-2018. New Business – there was no new business. Following is the report of the Library Director for July, 2015: July July Year to Year to 2015 2014 Date Date 2014-15 2013-14 No. of items issued: 14,015 15,180 113,365 119,092 Attendance: N/A 9,943 N/A 60,250 Days Open: 30 30 Av. Daily Circulation: 467 506 Av. Daily Attendance: N/A 331 Reference Questions: 280 232 3,048 3,010 Web Visits: 1,600 1,420 14,346 12,850 On-line Learning Sessions: 10 18 174 250  Database Searches: 3,873 2,557 26,125 43,921 Internet/Computer Use: 2,236 2,270 20,164 22,427 Interlibrary Loans: 84 86 798 880 Borrowed 12 12 107 151 Lent 72 74 691 729 Meeting Held: 86 81 727 718 Items Added: 436 Items Discarded: 87 Vol. in Collection: 106,629 **Attendance is unavailable at this time, will update when it becomes available. Director Report: News  Ready for Kindergarten Storytime, will be offered on Tuesdays staring on September 1, at 10 AM. This is aimed at helping parents and caregivers to help their children ages birth – 5 develop the skills necessary to succeed when they start Kindergarten: letters, numbers, words, colors and shapes.  Prime Time Family Reading Time is being offered again this fall. The program starts September 10th and runs for 6 weeks through October 15. We are again presenting a bilingual event this fall will plan to provide an English only program this coming spring.  I attended the first meeting of DiSPEL, a group of directors from around the Three Rivers Library System on Friday August 11 in Oakland NE. This group replaces the similar group DIRECT from the previous Eastern Library System Personnel  Ellen Lindsay has joined us a Library Aide, part time  Two other candidates have been offered Library Aide part time positions, I am waiting to hear from Human Relations if they have accepted and start dates Facilities  The restoration of the terrazzo floor was in completed on August 12th.  The HVAC system’s boiler had a new igniter installed, its settings refined and the issue with cold rooms seems to be resolved. A new sensor part will also be installed. Mark Your Calendars  August 25th is Runza’s Great Books for Great Kids fundraiser. Both Fremont restaurants will donate a portion of their receipts for the day to the library. Plan to eat at Runza on Tuesday the 25th and tell your friends.  Runza Rex will be visiting story hour on Thursday August 20 at 10 AM.   Jerry Barlow, Celtic guitarist Wednesday Sept 9, 7:00 PM  Screening of “Consider the Alternative, September 16, 7:00 PM.  Nebraska Library Association is holding its annual conference in Lincoln October 14 – 16. Board members are encouraged to attend if they are interested. The library will provide registration. Friends of the Library’s Report – Board President Jirsak indicated the Friends are starting to plan the November members’ event, which will be November 6. A talk will be presented on the process of taking a book, The Persian Pickle Club, and making a movie out of it. Board Member Schmeichel moved to adjourn and Board Member Therien seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 4:49 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director