Library Board of Trustees

The Woodstock Public Library Board of Trustees met on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Robert Laurie called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Robert Laurie (President), Christy Johanson (Vice President), Mary Ann Lenzen, Sarah Parisi, and Susan Gullotto. OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Christensen (Deputy City Manager), Martha Hansen (Assistant Library Director), and Tiara Thayer (Library Assistant II). ABSENT: Jim Hurley (Treasurer), Mary Beth Urbin (Secretary), Teresa Flores, and Gayle Hoch. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Discussion and Vote on approving the Regular Minutes from the August 2023 meeting as presented or corrected. Robert Laurie moved to approve the minutes of the August 2023 regular meeting as presented, Mary Ann Lenzen seconded, and the motion passed with unanimous ayes. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: None. COMMUNICATIONS: None. LIBRARY EXPENDITURES: Discussion and Vote on the August 2023 Building Fund and Operating Fund Expenditures. Mary Ann Lenzen moved to approve the August 2023 combined Warrant of operating and building expenditures, as presented, Christy Johanson seconded, and the motion carried with unanimous ayes. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT: Martha Hansen presented the librarian’s report, a copy of which is attached. Highlights include: • With the summer coming to an end and the new school year starting, there is typically a lull in programming at the library in August. • Daily patron visits remained strong, with an 8% increase in visitors from August 2022. • While physical checkouts have decreased slightly, digital downloads continue to grow. • The library will be offering a 1:1 technology assistance service, headed by reference librarian, Austin. This service will be available by appointment and during a set time slot on Fridays. NEW BUSINESS: • Discussion and Vote on acceptance of the Library Bill of Rights. Robert Laurie moved to accept the Library Bill of Rights as presented, Christy Johanson seconded, and the motion carried with unanimous ayes. • Update on national and state library trends. o Libraries in the area continue to receive bomb threats through their websites’ chat feature. Luckily, all of the bomb threats made have been unfounded, and the Woodstock Public Library has not received any such threats. o The library has updated their bomb threat action plan, and the administration has maintained contact with the Woodstock Police Department to ensure the library’s action plans are safe and accurate. o The staff will be receiving some bomb threat training at their next all staff meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • Update and discussion on proposed library logo. o The board reviewed the proposed logos for the library and voiced their general acceptance and preference for one design. o These logos are not yet publicly displayed, but will be rolled out when the City’s website has been renovated. • Building Update: o Bayton Outdoor Space: ▪ Nick Weber has been working with the City’s grant writer to secure additional funding for this project. ▪ Construction is expected to begin between 2024-2025. o Staff Office Remodeling: ▪ Nick met with contractors earlier this week, and they are working on calculating a cost estimate for the project. ▪ The reference department desks also arrived earlier this week and are being placed. The old reference desk will be repurposed for the patron scan station. • Staffing Update: o The new part-time reference librarian resigned after almost three weeks, in favor of another employment opportunity. Lisa Rossi, who was previously employed at WPL, returned to fill this open position. o Another part-time reference librarian, Angie, has unfortunately resigned due to personal reasons. Angie’s position will not be filled. Instead, Lisa Rossi has been promoted to full-time. • Friends of the Library Update: o The recent books sale raised $1,320 in sales. o While the plant sale totals are not yet final, they nearly sold out of plants within the first few hours. o The friends will be running a blue dot sale through the end of September, meaning any items in the book store that feature a blue dot will be free with no additional purchase required. This decision was made in an effort to clear out old inventory and make room for new donations. • Strategic Planning Update o The Library’s Strategic Plan is nearly complete, pending the boards’ approval.  o It was recommended that both the Rural and City board form a joint meeting on October 12th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the final draft of the library’s strategic plan and offer any additional feedback. ▪ The board voiced their general agreement to form the proposed joint meeting next month. ADJOURNMENT Christy Johanson moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:40 p.m., Robert Laurie seconded, and the motion passed with unanimous ayes. All meetings of the Library Board are open to the public. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are fully accessible, and if any further accommodations are needed, please contact the Library Director 48 hours prior to the meeting.