The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on February 7, 2018 as advertised in the local newspaper, radio, on the library website, and posted at the Library. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by President Mark Kovar. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Act. Roll called showed all members present as well as the Library Director. (Traci Alberts,Todd Flynn, Mark Kovar, Phyllis Leach, Alane Lentz, and Gail Irwin) Alane Lentz moved to approve the minutes. Todd Flynn seconded this motion with all members voting in favor of. Traci Alerts made the motion to approve the claims for payment. Phyllis Leach seconded this with all members voting in favor of. A review was done of the budget spending so far this year. The Monthly Library Report was presented along with the List of Titles Purchased. Phyllis Leach asked about removing the bulletin board in the front lobby to some other place in the library. She said that a person was upset that the 40 year old dedication plate was covered up by the bulletin board. Due to the all the windows and doors in the front lobby, that is the only location available. If the library has a public bulletin board available for people to use, we can receive points for that in the accreditation process. We let people hang their items on the old check-out desk but we don’t want that with the new desk. No action taken on this item.
An update was given on the Library Innovation Studio (The Makerspace). A review was given on tours, training, and creations made during the past month. It was noted that the library just ordered some supplies to use with the laminator and button maker. This way we have some on hand for tours like the Career Fair at the School and the upcoming library reading program. It was noted that we need to put on a Local Showcase before the equipment leaves the library. A survey will be done and handed out at this time on the Makerspace. We want to know if people enjoyed the Makerspace, if they created anything on their own, if the library should purchase some makerspace equipment and if so which machines.
It was noted that the Blind Date with a Book was back for the month of February. We wrapped books up with brown paper tied with red ribbon. One hint is on the cover to give readers an idea of what type of book it is. (This book is for the ______ lover.)
Discussion was held on the upcoming Summer Reading Program. This year’s “Libraries Rock” slogan will feature music/dancing. It was noted that promotional items and prizes have been ordered. Director has started to plan the events for the Toddler Time/Preschool group. She will work on the K-4th grade events after attending the Summer Reading Program Workshop in March. Sign Up for the summer program will be from May 1-14th. We have Curtis Mork-The Lego Guy coming to do a program on June 7th at 2 p.m. for the grade school age children. This event will be the first week of K-4th activities. The K-1st grade group will meet from 1-2 p.m. and the 2nd-4th graders will meet from 3-4 p.m. on June 14, 21, and 28th. No ending picnic will be held this year due to 4th of July falling on the date that it is usually held. We will not require the students to keep track of time read. They may do a Reading Bingo Sheet if they like. A complete black out will entitle them to a free book at the end of the reading program. The younger children will come on Tuesdays in June. Toddler Time will run from 4:30 – 5 p.m. and Preschool Storytime from 1-2 p.m.
It was noted that two board members have terms that expire the 30th of April. They include Mark Kovar and Phyllis Leach. Phyllis stated that she would like to be reappointed for another term, while Mark has decided that he will step down from the Board. All board members were asked to think of names to give that Mayor that they feel will make a great library board member.
The Board spent some time reviewing the library goals and plan which will end in October 2018. We are pretty much on track with the plan. It was noted that the Accreditation process will need to be started again. Director had just attended a Community Needs Planning workshop in O’Neil today on this subject. There is a new person in charge of accreditation since the last plan was done. She has a new twist to the process. It is no longer called the Strategic Plan but now known as Community Needs Response Plan. A review was done on continuing educational hours for the library board and director. It was noted that the Board needs 16 more hours completed by the end of September 2018. They will start to watch webinars and may attend the upcoming Big Talk from Small Library Conference. Director certification runs until 2020 and she should have more than enough hours by then.
Under meetings/workshops, it was noted that staff attended the webinars of Dazzling Displays/Bulletin Boards for Libraries and the Accreditation Process. Director also attended the Community Needs Response Planning Workshop in O’Neil on Feb. 7th. The all-day conference of Big Talk From Small Libraries will be held on Feb. 23rd. Mark Kovar made the motion for the library to close that day so staff could attend. Traci Alberts seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Board members were encouraged to attend and earn some CE hours. It was noted that Director may attend the afternoon meeting of the Nebraska State Library Advisory Committee in Lincoln on March 6th depending on weather forecast. The Nebraska Library Advocacy Day will be held that morning. Staff plans to attend the Summer Reading Program in Broken Bow on March 9th.
Under correspondence, the board received information on the latest NLC grant submission to IMLS focusing on addressing internet needs for Nebraska Public Libraries and the 2018 One Book One Nebraska title of Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry. A letter from the United State Senator Deb Fischer was shared on our library’s request to keep funding the Instituted of Museum and Library Services. A letter from Texas was shared with the Board on a request for information. The Board stated for the director to disregard the letter and not to reply back. Articles of interest from library newsletters/journals were shared on the State of Public Libraries in Nebraska, Museum and Library Services Act introduced in the Senate for funding, guns in the library, and on building a board game collection.
The next meeting date was set for Wednesday, March 7th at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
