Library Board

Keene Memorial Library Board Meeting City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor/ Online via ZOOM 400 E. Military Ave, Fremont NE 6:30 P.M. December 21, 2020 Minutes Held at the City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor and Board President Larry Jirsak called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Roll Call The following members were present: Larry Jirsak, Tom Adamson, Shari Kment & Amanda Moenning. Earl Underwood was absent. Also present was Laura England-Biggs, Interim Library Director. Senior Office Associate Tracy Parr 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 meeting rooms. Agenda Motion to adopt current agenda for December 21, 2020 regular meeting. Board Member Adamson moved, seconded by Board Member Kment to adopt the agenda for December 21, 2020 Library Board Meeting. Ayes: Jirsak, Adamson, Kment and Moenning. Motion carried. Reading of Minutes Board Member Adamson moved to dispense with and approve the November 16, 2020 minutes, seconded by Board Member Kment. Ayes: Jirsak, Adamson, Kment & Moenning. Motion carried. Unfinished Business 1. Policy Manual – Board Member Moenning brought up a question about 6.2.4 and 6.2.4.1 in the policy manual that states Midland University and La’James International College are eligible for free library cards. Her question was if La’James was even still in town. At the time of the meeting Interim Director Laura England-Biggs stated she wasn’t sure but that she would look into it. After discussing with Travis Jacott (an attorney for the City of Fremont) it was determined we could recommend the policy manual to City Council with the possibility that La’James will have to be removed. Board Member Moenning moved to recommend to City Council the policy manual contingent upon learning if La’James is still in Fremont or not, and if they are not that we would want them struck from the manual, seconded by Board Member Kment. Ayes: Jirsak, Adamson, Kment & Moenning. Motion carried. Reports 1. Library Director’s Report / Expansion Report a. Interim Director Laura England-Biggs reported that the architect selection process is still ongoing. She is working with legal to clear the contract and once that is done she will be able to share with the Library Board the name of the company; it will then go to City Council for approval. Laura has been attending webinars on stress and burnout and sharing with the staff. She mentioned that she attended the City Council orientation on Thursday December 3rd and gave them a 15-minute view of what the library does. Laura has been busy with Nebraska Library Association activities including a 3rd Thursday chat the week before and goal setting and she informed the Library Board that she is taking over as Nebraska Library Association President. No action was taken. 2. Friends of the Library Report a. Interim Director Laura England-Biggs spoke on behalf of Friends of the Library Board President Denise Kay. Laura has been working with Tetrad and the architects. She let the Library Board know that they were coming in the next day to share their new vision for the library. Board Member Kment asked if the Library Board will be a part of the decisions and Laura explained that she is hoping to bring things to them at the January meeting. The book nook at Dave’s Drive In is still going well. Book storage units are full so we will be storing books as much as we can in the east building at the library until the next book sale. No action was taken.  3. Finance - Library Expenditures Report. Interim Director Laura England-Biggs made a point to mention that there are some blank lines that she hasn’t had a chance to follow up with accounting on, but will do so. No action was taken. Board President Larry Jirsak announced that he had submitted his resignation letter to Mayor Spellerberg effective at the end of this month’s meeting. He stated that he felt it was time for new eyes and leadership to be part of this board. Board Member Adamson expressed gratitude for Jirsak’s leadership and years of service. With no further business, motion to adjourn was made at 6:49 p.m. with Board Member Adamson making the motion and Board Member Kment seconding it. Ayes: Jirsak, Adamson, Kment & Moenning. Motion carried. Next meeting will be held at the City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor/ Online via ZOOM, on January 18, 2020 at 6:30 pm. Prepared by Tracy Parr, Library Senior Office Associate Signed by Tom Adamson, Library Board Secretary