The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on June 11, 2015. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, posted at the library and on the library website & Facebook page. President Kara Welch called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Laws. Roll call showed four members present (Todd Flynn, Mark Kovar, Phyllis Leach, and Kara Welch). Member Mandy Evans was absent. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.
Phyllis Leach made the motion to approve minutes. Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Mark Kovar made the motion to approve the claims for payment. Phyllis Leach seconded this with all members voting in favor of. A review of budget spending was done. The presentation of the Monthly Library Report and the List of Titles Purchased in May was given. It was noted at this time that: Gary Baxter will stop by the library and discuss the tile project the next time he is in Ainsworth; there was complaint on person that was using the Wi-Fi in his vehicle and made rude remarks to lady walking by with her dog on a lease; Judy Walters paid for the card catalog unit and it has been removed from the library; the Amazon Corporate Card has been set up; the “After” Circulation of Financial and Investing Materials has been submitted for the Smart Investing Grant; staff has been helping several ladies with information and photo of Grace Weiss for the Nebraska Authors-Book Two; and the Library Foundation signed over our state aid check to the city in the amount of $1223. Discussion was held on helping a patron with his digital slide converter at the Library. It was decided to have him “Book a Librarian” at a time when two people were on staff on help him.
An update was given on the Summer Reading Program and the number of children registered for the different sessions. We have 9 children plus their adult for the Toddler Time; 16 for Preschool Story Time; 18 students in the K-1st Grade group; 22 in the 2nd-4th grade group; and 8 in the Middle School Lunch Bunch. Information was shared on the NEST 529 College Saving Scholarship drawing for children that complete our reading program. Five will be awarded in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts in the fall.
The Library held a Book Signing for Mary Welke Persinger on May 23rd with her children’s book titled “Bailey’s Butterfly”. Mary grew up in the Springview area and had lots of her family and friends attend. We served cookies and tea/coffee.
Information was shared on the new lineup in the NebraskAccess Statewide Databases starting July 1st. The database package includes: MasterFILE Complete; Primary Search (designed by elementary-level students), NoveList Plus; NoveList K8 Plus; Biography Reference Center; Biography Reference Bank; MyHeritage; Points of View Reference Center; Legal Information Reference Center; Small Business Reference Center; Consumer Health Complete; Science & Technology Collection; Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. The statewide subscription to the FirstSearch Databases will be retained but there will be some upcoming changes to their interface. Databases that will be discontinued are OmniFile Full Text Select; elibrary; HeritageQuest Online; and Books in Print. Online training will be held on June 17 as well as face to face training later on. Staff plans to attend the online training.
The proposed budget for 2015-16 was worked on. It was noted that a budget request for $11,000 was sent to the Brown County Commissioner’s. They are still working on their budget so no word back from them yet. Budget amounts were suggested for the line items except for the ones that the City Clerk needs to help us on. The Clerk will get the numbers to us later on the salary, Workmen’s Comp; utilities; and insurance. This budget will be finalized at the next meeting and presented to the City.
The strategic plan was discussed. The director will email the board a copy when she finishes typing it up. We can approve it at the July meeting and then submit it to the Library Commission.
Under workshops/meetings, we had a review of the Library Foundation Board meeting held the end of May. They would like to do a half and half ticket sale at the Alumni Parade. Help is needed as many of the board members are involved with the alumni parade and with class events. Mark Kovar said that he would be able to sell tickets that day with the help of his wife. Director will email all the foundation board and library board to see if we could find a few more helps for the 26th. Cost would be $1 for one ticket or $5 for six tickets. Funds would go towards the ADA improvements (check-out desk and door opener for the front entrance of the library). It was noted that the Library will be hosting a workshop titled Growing Up Wild: Exploring Nature with Young Children on July 14th. This is for Head Start Educators, elementary & preschool teachers, after school program leaders, and in-home daycare providers. Wanda Raymond has completed the Organization of Materials and currently doing Library Finance in the Basic Library Skills Courses.
Under Correspondence we had articles of interest from library newsletters and journals to share with the Board. The next meeting date/time was set for July 2nd at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
