Library Board

December 21, 2015 Board President Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 3:34 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 December 17, 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 meeting on November 16, 2015, Board Member Dahl seconded the motion. Carried. Library Staff Member Visit – No staff member visit scheduled Unfinished business – Library Director Search - Director Davenport reported interviews were held on December 3 and 4. City Administrator Dale Shotkoski, Human Resource Director John Hemschemeyer, Board Member Connie Schmeichel and Director Davenport acted as interview panel. Six candidates were interviewed. John Hemschemeyer, started the process of back ground checks and reference checks for the top candidates. The position was offered to one candidate, who having been a telephone interview requested to visit the library before she made a decision. She visited on Monday December14, met with city and library staff and toured the library. After consideration, this candidate decided to not accept the position. John Hemschemeyer is now in communication with a second candidate. Concerned there might be a longer delay, Board Members asked if Director Davenport might be able to continue in a part-time capacity for a period. Library Board Members wished to express their deep appreciation for Director Davenport and applaud her for a job well done. They wish her well in the future. New Business – none presented Following is the report of the Library Director for November, 2015: November November Year to date Year to date 2015 2014 2015 Oct-Nov 2014 No. of items issued: 10,274 9,763 21,841 22,054 Attendance:** 6,034 7,799 6,034 16,678 Days Open: 27 27 Av. Daily Circulation: 381 362 Av. Daily Attendance: 223 289 Reference Questions: 164 264 418 553 Web Visits: 1,144 835 2,447 2,308 On-Line Learning Sessions: 12 12 41 23 Database Searches: 12,661 2,015 14,017 6,144 Internet/Computer Use: 1,753 1,695 3,958 4,139 Interlibrary Loans: 72 79 160 153 Borrowed 5 9 16 17 Lent 67 70 144 136 Meeting Held: 65 63 143 143 Items Added: 663 Items Discarded: 1,121 Vol. in Collection: 106,095 **Attendance Year-to-Date will be missing the month of October, at the time was unavailable. Director’s Report –  Based on earlier inquiries Director Davenport went back through the previous minutes and determined Board President Larry Jirsak had first joined the Board on July l5, 1996. He is completing his 20th year of service to the Keene Memorial Library as a Library Board Member. Director Davenport reported meeting with Fremont Area Community Foundation Executive Director Melissa Diers to discuss some options the Friends of the Library might pursue to receive gifts on behalf of the library via a FACF account. City Administrator Dale Shotkoski has recommended gifts to the library could be received by the Friends on behalf of the Library. Youth Services staff have made some changes to the Teen/Tween programming. They are separating the two age groups, with Teens continuing their gaming format and a new program “Get Your Tech On” being offered for the Tweens. This program will focus on STEAM learning activities ad utilize “Little Bits” small circuit pieces used to build multiple projects and other similar technology which is funded by the Friends of the Library, A Trust. Library assistant III Jess Hill, is the lead on this project. The program has been a great success in its beginning weeks and had a nice newspaper report published on it. The Library has received notice we are being awarded A Youth Grant for Excellence from the Nebraska Library Commission. The grant will purchase age appropriate pre- literacy oriented toys to be used in our Baby/Toddler Play periods and other programming. The grant will provide us with $ 700, with the remaining $865 for the project matched by the Friends of the Library, A. Trust, for a total of $1,565. The annual disbursement from the Friends of the Library, A. Trust will provide several items for the library. They include:  Crayon Kiosk and children’s chairs to make iPads available in the Children’s Department  Office Furniture for the Directors Office  STEAM oriented technology learning sets.  Staff and Board Nebraska Library Association dues  The matching funds for the Youth Grant for Excellence Board members asked for more information about the Friends of Library, A Trust. Director Davenport provided information and clarified that they are a separate group from the Friends of the Keene Memorial Library. The role of the Trust as opposed to a Foundation was also discussed. Human Resources has send the applications for the last Library Aide position we have to fill. They will be reviewed and candidates we would like to interview selected. An event making Director Davenport’s retirement is scheduled for Wednesday Dec 23, from 1-3. Director Davenport expressed her appreciation for the support of the Library Board and the staff during her 4 years at Keene Memorial Library. Friends of the Library’s Report – President Jirsak reported the Friends are discussing the future of the organization looking a greater focus on the fundraising aspects and less on programming. The White Light City Tree of Lights is lovely this year. It was again funded by an anonymous donor through a gift to the Friends. With no further business, meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. (Signed) by Janet Davenport, Library Director