Minutes from the March Library Board Meeting

The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on March 7, 2018 at 5 p.m. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, and posted at the Library. The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed four members present. They included Traci Alberts, Todd Flynn, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz. Member Mark Kovar was absent. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.

Alane Lentz made the motion to approve the minutes which Todd Flynn seconded. All members voted in favor of. Phyllis Leach made the motion to approve the claims for payment. Traci Alberts seconded this with all members voting in favor of. The Board spend time reviewing the budget spending. The Monthly Library Report was presented as well as a List of Titles Purchased. It was noted at this time, that there was lots of ice by the back door due to the rain gutters being full of ice from all the snow and dripping over the gutter.

Discussion was held on the Library Innovation Studio (The Makerspace). An update was given on the number of tours, training, and people creating in the studio this past month. The Community Action Team just held a meeting and has set the Showcase for April 2nd from 6-8 p.m. Library Foundation members will provide the cookies for this event. A survey is in the process of being designed to hand out that night to get feedback on the Makerspace and if the community feels that the library should purchase some equipment and have it available for residents to use. This survey will also be placed on the library website so that people can complete it online. Giving some type of certificate or appreciation gift for the volunteers was discussed. It was noted that the Makespace will leave the week of April 9th.

A Blind Date with a Book was held all of February. We had a total of 12 books checked out. A Book Lover Prize drawing was held with all the readers of the Blind Date. Ronda Theis was the winner.

It was noted that Mark Kovar’s term expires the end of April. A list of 12 names to submit to the Mayor was shared. Library Board members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council and that person must live in the City limits of Ainsworth.

A Dr. Seuss Read Out Loud time was held on March 2nd. This was at 3:30 p.m. on a Friday. We only had four children attend. They all went home with a Cat in the Hat, Thing One or Thing Two mask.

The OverDrive Survey of the Nebraska Library Group showed the following results: 91.5% voted not to use the CPC lending model at this time and stay with what we use now and 91% voted to shift 2% of the budget from the juvenile/YA budget line to adult nonfiction.

Under meetings/workshops, a review has given on the Big Talk from Small Libraries All-Day Conference held on Feb. 23rd. A report was given on the Library Foundation Board Meeting held on Feb. 26th. It was noted that the Foundation plans to hold the Garden Walk this summer and is starting to work on a tasting recipe luncheon fundraiser. Due to the weather, Director did not attend the March 6th Nebraska State Library advisory Committee Meeting in Lincoln. The Director does plan to attend the Summer Reading Program Workshop in Broken Bow on March 9th. It was noted that Phyllis Leach had watched three webinars for Board continuing education hours.

Under correspondence, information on the Institute of Museum and Library Services funding was shared as well as replies received from U.S. Senator’s Fisher and Smith. Articles of interest from various library journals and newsletters were shared with the Board.

The next meeting date and time was set for April 4th at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

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