The Ainsworth Library Board held their monthly meeting on January 5th at 5 p.m. as advertised in the local newspaper, on the radio, posted on the library website, and at the library. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Act. Roll called showed four members present (Traci Alberts, Todd Flynn, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz) and one member absent (Mark Kovar). Library Director was also present for the meeting.
Todd Flynn made the motion to approve the minutes which Phyllis Leach seconded. Vote showed all in favor. Phyllis Leach moved to approve the claims for payment. Traci Alberts seconded this with all voting in favor of. The Monthly Library Report for November and December was present as well as a List of Titles Purchased.
An update was given on the projects in Phase Two of Library Improvements. It was noted that the shelving had been constructed and installed in the local history room by Roudy Clapper. Rod Worrell paid half the cost and the Library Foundation paid the other half of costs for this project. The new island top was installed the first part of December. This was paid for by the Library Foundation. The four blue sitting chairs and the backs of the table chairs are currently being reupholstered by Pam Theis. We have almost completed all the projects in Phase Two of Improvements and should start on the outside of the library this spring with some projects.
A review was presented on the Book Basket Auction fundraiser held on Nov. 18th at the Elks. Even with it being a cold wintery night, we had a very nice crowd and raised a total of $1,734. All the baskets sold and everyone had a great night.
The Bill of Rights Exhibit from the National Archives arrived the last week of December and was set up for display. The display commemorates the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Articles on this exhibit were in the newspaper and on the radio as well as the Library Facebook page and library website.
It was noted that the Northeast College started an ESL (English as a Second Language) Class in November. Pam Barrow is the instructor and Kathy Woods is assisting her. They meet at the Library on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. They have been having between 12-15 students at each class.
Rod Wanger, Director of the Nebraska Library Commission, asked Gail Irwin if she would be interested in serving on the State Advisory Council at the Library Commission. They meet three times a year (March, July, and November). The appointment for this won’t happen until mid-January when the Library Commissioner’s select the person that they want.
Brian Johnson has ten stackable chairs that he would like to donate to the Library. The Board agreed to take this donation.
It was noted that the Library Director had started to work on the Statistical Report for 2016. Deadline to file is in Febru.
Winter Children’s Programming was discussed. A Winter Story Time will be held on Mondays during the month of February from 4-5 p.m. for the preschool level through the second grade. A Lego Club will be held on Thursdays in February from 4-5 p.m. for anyone that would like to attend. A Toddler/Lap Sit Program will be held in March for the children age two and three from 4:30 – 5 p.m. An adult will need to stay with the child. Parents will be asked to let the library know that their child plans to attend so we can plan for craft supplies, etc. This programming follows the goals in our strategic goals.
The library staff has been busy doing its yearly weeding of the library collection. The Board approved of holding a Sack Book Sale at the library from January 17th– 31st to clear out the books for sale. Permission was also granted to sell the old island top, other older shelving from the old storage room, and six stackable chairs from the 1960’s. This will be done by the way of the Library’s FaceBook page and the Ainsworth On-Line Sales Site.
It was noted that library staff will be attending some upcoming workshops and webinars. The three webinars include the Build a better world-Children’s Summer Reading on Jan. 10th; Early literacy on Jan. 26th; and Teen connection on Feb. 2nd. Library staff also plans to attend the Winter Workshop in Kearny on Feb. 10th and the Build a Better World Summer Reading Program Workshop in St. Paul on March 27th.
Under correspondence, we had a thank you card from a student that the Library proctored college tests for and a congratulation note from Rod Wagner at the Library Commission on being recognized as a Library Journal’s Star Library . The new Nebraska Intellectual Freedom Manual was also shared with the Library Board and will be inserted in the Library Policy Manual. Articles of interest from various newsletters and library journals were shared with the Board.
The next meeting date and time was set for Feb. 5th at 5 p.m. Since there was no other business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
