Library Board

November 16, 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, Lori Dahl and Connie Schmeichel. Also present were Library Director Janet Davenport. Board Members absent: Valeria Marquez 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 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 Schmeichel moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings on September 21 and October 19, 2015, Board Member Dahl seconded the motion. Carried. Library Staff Member Visit – Katie Roberts, Library Assistant III Ms. Roberts discussed her work in the ordering and receipt of library materials. When she indicate she orders items from customer requests several members of the Board were not aware the Library did receive and accept customer requests for titles. Board members discussed areas they thought the collection could use improvement. President Jirsak indicated interest in additional “Great Courses” recordings and Board Member Schmeichel indicated while browsing in the craft and home improvement sections she notice many older titles that might be replaced. Ms. Roberts, now a 30 hour part time Library Assistant III, indicated she started as a 19 hour Library Aide assisting with the children’s programing. The work with children is “still in her heart” and she enjoys continuing to assist with crafts and activities from time to time. Unfinished business – Every Student Needs a Card - A program funded by several grants in 2009, Every Student Needs a Card, was initiated to allow students who live outside of the Fremont city limits but who are attending Fremont public and private schools. To receive a card at no cost. The program anticipated serving 648 students in its first year. Instead it has taken 5 years to meet and exceed that total, with approximately 100-120 cards issued to students per year. No initial funding has been added over the years and the number of participants has not put a strain on Keene Memorial Library Resources Following discussion the Board recommended checking with the City Administrator and advised we continue the Every Student Needs a Card program and review its use regularly. Replacement Library Board Member Recommendations - The Board discussed possible candidates and one candidate who had volunteered. They will continue to seek ideas for potential Board members and suggested to Director Davenport that a discretion of the Boards activities be included in the next newsletter seeking potential volunteers interested in serving. New Business – none presented Following is the report of the Library Director for September, 2015: September September Year to Year to 2015 2014 Date Date 2014-15 2013-14 No. of items issued: 10,590 11,527 134,363 142,717 Attendance:** 8,103 77,017 Days Open: 29 29 Av. Daily Circulation: 365 369 Av. Daily Attendance: 279 Reference Questions: 168 329 3,505 3,705 Web Visits: 1,282 1,370 17,168 15,572 On-line Learning Sessions: 9 40 195 314 Database Searches: 8,317 4,394 41,909 52,452 Internet/Computer Use: 2,055 2,292 24,533 27,184 Interlibrary Loans: 118 82 1,018 1,044 Borrowed 7 10 123 175 Lent 111 72 895 869 Meeting Held: 64 66 772 851 Items Added: 533 Items Discarded: 488 Vol. in Collection: 106,343 **Attendance is unavailable at this time, will update when it becomes available. Following is the report of the Library Director for October, 2015: October October Year to date Year to date 2015 2014 2015 2014 No. of items issued: 11,567 12,291 11,567 12,291 Attendance:** 8,879 8,879 Days Open: 31 31 Av. Daily Circulation: 373 396 373 396 Av. Daily Attendance: 286 286 Reference Questions: 254 289 254 289 Web Visits: 1,303 1,473 1,303 1,473 On-line Learning Sessions: 29 11 29 11 Database Searches: 1,356 4,129 1,356 4,129 Internet/Computer Use: 2,205 2,444 2,205 2,444 Interlibrary Loans: 88 74 88 74 Borrowed 11 8 11 8 Lent 77 66 77 66 Meeting Held: 78 80 78 80 Items Added: 613 Items Discarded: 206 Vol. in Collection: 106,553 **Attendance is unavailable at this time, will update when it becomes available. Director’s Report – News  Our fall Prime Time Series wrapped up on October 15. The bilingual program drew and average of 19 participants each week. We will again plan an English language series for spring 2016, with a stronger marketing press to get participants.  Adult programming is finally taking off. A combination of computer classes, brown bag lunches and speakers has been introduced since September. Computer classes have started slowly, ranging from one to three in attendance. The Brown Bag Lunch have also drawn a limited number of participants. Authors and Humanities Nebraska speakers have done far better. Two had attendance: Buffalo Bill’s Nebraska, with 44 in attendance, and Bronwyn Sitka’s “My Live as a Sex Slave, with 34 in attendance. Other programs were also well attended included author Colleen Oakes had an audience of 20, Mark Langan’s “Busting Bad Guys” had 11 and The presentation on “Beverly Deepe Keever, An Unconventional War” drew 10. We are receiving many positive comments on the addition of these programs.  A webinar on dealing with difficult customers and safety practices was viewed by all full and 3 hour staff members.  Keene Memorial Library sent 4 individuals to the Nebraska Library Association annual conference in Lincoln October 14- 16. Dorlissa Beyer attended a pre-conference on MarcEdit. Director Davenport, Youth Services staff Laura England-Biggs and Jess Hill attended regular sessions.  Director Davenport indicated difficulties in locating a snow removal service for sidewalks, the lots are plowed by the City Utilities Department. A contractor was finally located and we are set for winter. Personnel  A vacancy for a 20 hour library aide, has been advertised by City Human Relations  A new 19 hour Library Aide, Debra Poehling, has started with the library. Mark Your Calendars  The “White Light City Tree” will be lit on Wednesday November 25th, at 5:30. Friends of the Library’s Report – President Jirsak reported the Friends November event was a success, with an audience of approximately 30 to hear the presentation of taking a book, The Persian Pickle Club, from a book to a movie. Board Member Schmeichel moved to adjourn and Board Member Dahl seconded, with no further business, meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director