Library Board

Keene Memorial Library Board Meeting Municipal Building-2nd Floor City Council Chambers Please Enter from the West Side 400 E. Military, Fremont, NE 6:30 P.M. February 20, 2023 AGENDA Call to Order/Notice of Meeting 1. Roll Call 2. Motion to adopt current agenda for February 20, 2023 regular meeting 3. Dispense with and approve January 16, 2023 minutes (attachment) 4. New Business a. Appeal of Library Director’s decision to retain Sex is a Funny Word in the library collection (attachments) 5. Reports a. Library Director’s Report i. Month in Review ii. Expansion Project Update b. Friends of the Library Report c. Finance-Library Expenditures Reports for February 2023 (attachment) 6. Adjournment Next Regular Board Meeting – March 20, 2023 Municipal Building 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room. Agenda posted online at www.fremontne.gov/library and emailed to Library Board members on February 15, 2023. This meeting is preceded by publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune and the agenda is displayed in the Administration East Office at Keene Memorial Library, 925 North Broad Street. A Copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted at the entrance of the meeting room. The Library Board reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time. The Library Board reserves the right to adjust the order of items on this agenda.  Keene Memorial Library Board Meeting Municipal Building-2nd Floor in the Large Conference Room 400 E. Military, Fremont, NE 6:30 P.M. January 16, 2023 Minutes Held at the Municipal Building – 2nd Floor Large Conference Room and Board President Linda McClain called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Roll Call The following members were present: Linda McClain, Amanda Moenning and LeAnn Rathke. Becky Pence was absent and Ryan Fiala arrived at 6:35pm. Also present were: Laura England- Biggs, Library Director, Mayor Joey Spellerberg and City Administrator Jody Sanders. 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 East Office of Keene Memorial Library, temporarily located at 925 North Broad Street, online at www.fremontne.gov and distributed by email. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted continually for public inspection and is located near the entrance of the meeting room. Agenda Motion to adopt current agenda for January 16, 2023 regular meeting. Board Member Moenning moved, seconded by Board Member Rathke, to adopt the agenda for January 16, 2023 Library Board Meeting. Ayes: Rathke, Moenning and McClain. Motion carried 3-0. Reading of Minutes Board Member Rathke moved to dispense with and approve the November 21, 2022 board minutes, seconded by Board Member Moenning. Ayes: Rathke, Moenning and McClain. Motion carried 3-0. New Business Annual Report 2021-2022 Library Director England-Biggs spoke about what the report contains. Motion to approve of the report and have Library Board President sign and have it notarized was made by Board Member Rathke with Board Member Moenning seconding. Ayes: Fiala, Rathke, Moenning and McClain. Motion Carried 4-0. Reports Library Director’s Report Month in Review Director England-Biggs stated that she was going to start with the three goal areas from the Library Community Needs Response Plan and then move into general updates. The three areas for the CNRP are Expansion, Outreach and Partnerships. Expansion has revolved around Owner Architect Contractor meetings every other week. A second grant request to the Fremont Area Community Foundation was submitted at the end of December. Outreach has included Justine and Laura attending the Christmas Walk at the art gallery on November 26th where 275 people were in attendance. Justine attended Storytime with Santa at the art gallery with 70 in attendance. Director England-Biggs has been reading to the blue room at Head Start on most Wednesdays with approximately 13 kids each week. There are monthly story times at Salem Little Saints, kindergarten classes at Bergan, Milliken Park, Washington, Clarmar and Bell Field. Quarterly there are FHS Early Childhood class meetings as well as Senior Center and Towers outreach. Partnerships include Nebraska Library Association Board meetings and Director England-Biggs stated that she recently had her last one as Past-President. Creative District meetings with the Nebraska Arts Council and a Budgeting 101 class with First State Bank & Trust are also happening. She participated in a City Council Strategic Planning Retreat on January 14, 2023 as a department head. She was also notified that she was selected by the American Library Association as a member of the Fund Libraries Congressional Fly-In team in March. The library had a successful Dinovember Facebook event that engaged 460 people. A Wrap ‘n Yap event was held with very little turn out, but those who participated really appreciated the service. Looking to re-evaluate the timing of the event for next year and Jody Sanders suggested the 23rd of December. The library got approval on agreements for setting up an app for the library called myLibro. The first steps have been completed and now we are waiting on tech support to allow us to advance to the second stage. A Jeff Barnes speaking event titled “The Mad Queen of the Prairies: Frenzied First Years of the Nebraska Territory” was held at the art gallery with 23 people in attendance. No action taken Expansion Project Update Director England-Biggs mentioned that footings are in and the steel was delivered today. There will be a Topper Event coming up at the library. Donations were good at the end of the year with a few new pledges. No action taken. Friends of the Library Update Director England-Biggs informed the Board that the Friends chose not to meet in January and that Dave’s Drive In Liquor continues to do well. No action was taken. Finance It was mentioned that 1st report was incorrect and was amended to be 11/30 instead of 10/31. No action taken. With no further business, motion to adjourn was made at 7:13 pm with Board Member Fiala making the motion and Board Member Rathke seconding. Ayes: Fiala, Rathke, Moenning and McClain. Motion Carried 4-0. Next Regular Board Meeting will be held February 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm –Municipal Building 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room. Prepared by Tracy Parr, Senior Office Associate Signed by Amanda Moenning, Library Board Secretary  January 16, 2023 Sandra Murray 1745 N Nye Ave Fremont NE 68025 Dear Sandra, I have read through your Request for Reconsideration, which was received December 28, 2022. The replacement copy of Sex is a Funny Word you provided was received at the library on January 6, 2023. When a parent comes in with questions about this or any other difficult topic, the parent generally ends up asking a librarian for help. While assisting patrons who are looking for materials on any subject, our librarians are trained to recommend that parents pre-read the material before presenting it to their child/children. We encourage parents to guide their children’s reading and be an active partner in their library use. Cory Silverberg, the author of Sex is a Funny Word also advises parents to read the material through first before sharing with their children. This allows parents to decide whether it is the appropriate book for their family. Sex is a Funny Word has received several awards, including the 2016 Stonewall Honor for Books in Children’s and Young Adult Literature and the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction. Quill & Quire named it a Best Book of the Year in 2015. In addition, the author has a master’s in education from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Having looked at professional reviews (see below) and taken the time to read Sex is a Funny Word several times, it is my finding that this title is appropriate for inclusion in our collection and will remain on the shelves. “Bold, bright, honest, and inclusive, Cory Silverberg’s tell-it-like-it-is introduction to sex and sexuality is a timely and on-point text that acknowledges the embarrassment and taboo of talking about these subjects and allows kids to access quality information from a reliable source, rather than their best friend or – worse – the Internet.” – Quill & Quire, Best Book Selection 2015 "Exciting, enlightening, and innovative, this book addresses timeless questions about sex for a new generation of kids who are increasingly aware of the broad spectrum of gender and sexual identities." – School Library Journal, starred review  “Emphasizing the importance of trust, respect, justice, and joy—as well as open communication—it’s a thoughtful and affirming exploration of relationships, gender identity, and growing sexual awareness.” – Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review “Not your typical book about sex for kids, this fun, honest volume covers the topic in new and exciting ways. Sex Is a Funny Word provides a framework of foundational information about bodies, gender, and touch, and then invites young readers and their adults to talk to each other in order to "fill in the blanks" with beliefs, values, and connections to family history, culture, and community. This book isn't actually about sex: It's about providing a foundation for kids to understand sex as a big, multifaceted life experience.” – Common Sense Media As you know, this title has been relocated from the Children’s nonfiction section to the Adult nonfiction section. Our children’s librarian has ordered materials on abstinence as you suggested in your request. Those items should be on the new book display shelves by the end of March 2023. You have the right to appeal this decision to the Library Board within 10 business days of receipt. To file an appeal, please send a written request to the attention of Linda McClain, Library Board President, Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N Broad St, Fremont NE 68025. Let me close by quoting from this section of our materials selection policy which was approved by the Board unanimously in the last several reviews – most recently in November 2022: The Keene Memorial Library believes that censorship is an individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject for oneself materials which do not meet with the individual’s approval, one cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others. The Keene Memorial Library supports the right of each family to decide which items are appropriate for use by its children. Responsibility for a child’s use of the library materials lies with his or her parent or guardian. Respectfully, Laura England-Biggs Library Director Keene Memorial Library  NLFS001 Auditors Trial Balance Accounting Period: 4/2023 Fund(s): 001 - General Fund Report Generated on Feb 13, 2023 8:55:04 AM Page 1 Fund: 001 - General Fund Account Account Description FYTD through Original Budget Encumbered Budget Balance Prior Year Prior Two 1/31/2023 Actual Years Actual 001-2031-419.20-12 Communications 860.72 2,500.00 3,964.80 (2,325.52) 1,221.18 2,400.00 001-2031-419.20-65 Service Agreements 19,475.01 25,500.00 6,024.99 24,748.71 28,026.79 001-2031-419.20-99 Other Contractual Service 747.50 001-2031-419.30-55 Software 5,500.00 5,500.00 2,485.72 5,486.10 001-2031-419.30-56 Parts/Mach & Equipment 16,000.00 16,000.00 1,888.51 718.66 001-2031-455.10-10 Salaries/Wages 158,141.27 624,232.00 466,090.73 593,882.41 463,993.58 001-2031-455.10-14 Health Insurance 26,546.52 95,762.00 69,215.48 91,737.05 110,909.22 001-2031-455.10-15 Overtime Wages 30.71 1,750.00 1,719.29 1,308.32 207.10 001-2031-455.10-22 FICA/Medicare 11,644.37 46,795.00 35,150.63 43,984.55 33,851.10 001-2031-455.10-23 Pension 6,529.74 24,766.00 18,236.26 20,200.48 15,991.38 001-2031-455.20-11 Postage & Printing 5,550.00 4,800.00 750.00 1,607.76 1,600.00 001-2031-455.20-13 Training & Travel 401.39 12,000.00 11,598.61 7,134.79 3,016.24 001-2031-455.20-33 Legal Advertising 178.15 100.00 (78.15) 61.13 50.13 001-2031-455.20-41 Utility Services 12,668.89 52,000.00 39,331.11 40,264.00 41,991.45 001-2031-455.20-60 Repairs & Maintenance 60.00 10,000.00 2,412.20 7,527.80 4,391.48 3,787.96 001-2031-455.20-65 Service Agreements 6,763.21 33,000.00 17,549.00 8,687.79 21,451.42 22,735.27 001-2031-455.20-70 Rents 295.14 800.00 310.00 194.86 4,099.28 590.28 001-2031-455.20-93 Dues & Subscriptions 150.00 19,000.00 18,850.00 17,037.25 17,049.27 001-2031-455.20-95 Hire Equip/Equip Rental 1,200.00 (1,200.00) 001-2031-455.20-98 Taylor collection 500.00 240.94 259.06 259.06 469.19 001-2031-455.20-99 Other Contractual Service 3,659.57 34,000.00 6,588.33 23,752.10 59,104.22 21,436.26 001-2031-455.30-31 Office Supplies 759.17 10,000.00 419.71 8,821.12 2,770.59 3,011.77 001-2031-455.30-35 Printing 500.00 500.00 670.27 767.42 001-2031-455.30-41 Food Supplies 4,000.00 4,000.00 114.28 345.20 001-2031-455.30-44 Fuel/Oil/Grease 200.00 200.00 78.21 33.96 001-2031-455.30-49 Bldg/Structural Materials 1,181.35 10,000.00 53.25 8,765.40 3,913.95 6,241.12 001-2031-455.30-51 Books & Periodicals 31,552.67 125,000.00 56,381.05 37,066.28 116,671.86 139,526.82 001-2031-455.30-63 MV Fuel Parts 12.80 (12.80) 693.73 37.17 001-2031-455.30-76 Signs 1,000.00 1,000.00 001-2031-455.30-79 Other Commodities 10,000.00 172.76 9,827.24 15,280.95 4,382.96 001-2031-455.40-13 Bldg/Improve Acquisition 491,367.12 3,628,919.00 4,152,553.04 (1,015,001.16) 279,848.08 197,315.00 Server Name: frmt-cog.aspgov.com User Name: 772,277.80 4,799,374.00 4,246,645.08 (219,548.88) 1,357,656.74 1,125,971.40