Library Board

October 21, 2019 Board President Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the library auditorium. Roll Call The following members were present: Larry Jirsak, Earl Underwood, Tom Adamson and Shari Kment. Board Member Mandy Ostdiek was absent. Also present was Library Director Walker, and Senior Office Associate Tracy Parr. Tracy will be recording the meeting minutes. Notice of Meeting and Agenda The meeting was preceded by publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune and the agenda is posted in the Administration Office at Keene Memorial Library, 1030 North Broad Street and online at www.fremontne.gov/library and distributed. A copy of the open meetings law is posted continually for public inspection and is located near the entrance of the library board room and library auditorium. Reading of Minutes Board Member Earl Underwood moved to approve the August 19th and September 16th minutes with 1 small edit to September 16th minutes, of removing the word “but” from “with but”. Motion to approve as corrected. Board Member Tom Adamson seconded it. Motion carried, with a 4-0 vote. Ayes: Larry Jirsak, Shari Kment, Earl Underwood & Tom Adamson. Unfinished Business 1. Library Policy Handbook. Director Walker updated the Library Board that she is waiting to take it to City Council due to legal needing to review the policies we changed vs. the ones that were just re-formatted. After legal looks at it and approves it, the handbook will go to City Council. 2. Article 7 of the Library City Code. Director Walker stated that it hasn’t been taken to City Council yet and that she will look at getting it on the future agenda. Reports 1. Director Report. a. Director Walker discussed staffing issues, specifically that Asst. City Administrator Wimer met with Director Walker and Asst. Director Laura England-Biggs and shared his plan to transition the Fulltime IT position from the library and make it a Part-time non-IT position for the library. The City IT would then cover all IT for the library. Director Walker explained all the reasons she did not agree with this decision and the need for a Fulltime IT person to cover library-related IT needs and a reduced customer service for patrons. Director Walker expressed concern that this position was not only approved by City Council in 2017, but approved for the next 2 year budget cycle. Since the library has never had an issue with overspending under Director Walker, she did not see a need for cutting staff. We are currently down 3 staff members and still short 2 FTE from the 2008 staff cuts. Council member Jacobus said she would put this item on the city agenda for discussion since council already approved this item. She said no formal action was required or motions since this was a discussion session. b. She also explained that the library is still working on computer software and public computer system for printing with IT, with no implementation date set. c. She discussed the expansion work with Strawhecker LLC and that we have received a sizeable donation pledge that cannot be made public yet. She is currently working on expansion committee development and notified the Library Board that the house sale is complete and the deeds have been signed over to the city. Director Walker said that the A Trust needs to meet to officially end the trust and transfer funds to the Friend’s expansion fund. d. She also informed the Board of important upcoming event dates. With no further business, motion to adjourn was made at 4:10 p.m. with Board Member Shari Kment making the motion and Board Member Tom Adamson seconding it. Motion carried. Next meeting will be held at the library on November 18, 2019 at 3:30 pm. (Signed) by Tina Walker, Library Director