Minutes from the July Library Board Meeting

The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on July 11, 2018 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, on the radio, posted at the library, and on the library’s website and FaceBook page. The meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed four members present: Traci Alberts, Todd Flynn, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz. Member Pedro Bordes was absent. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.

Alane Lentz moved to approve the minutes. Todd Flynn seconded this motion with all members voting in favor of. Phyllis Leach moved to approve the claims for payment which Traci Alberts seconded. Vote showed all members in favor of. The Monthly Library Report for June was shared as well as the List of Titles Purchased. It was noted at this time that someone had pulled down the off switch on the heat/ac units behind the library. The serviceman stated that he had to replace the capacitors and that would only happen because of a big drop or surge in the electrical feed. This happened once last summer also with someone turning the units off.

An update was given on the requests for information from the Nebraska Library Commission on the Library Innovation Studio. Some emails were needed as they will be sending out a survey to the users of the Makerspace, the library board, and local action committee. They will also have the Studio at the State Fair on August 26th from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. We are to have items created in the Makerspace on display that day as well as someone to help run the machines for demonstration. The library director plans to attend this event. The first interim report is due to IMLS at the end of September. We have been asked to send samples of publicity with that report as well as articles, posts, news coverage, links to website, and photos from our library.

A report was given on the “Libraries Rock” Summer Reading Program held in June. Attendance totals for the four different sessions came to 169. This included:
Toddler Time 59
Preschool Story Time 36
K-1st Grade Fun Hour 38
2nd-4th Grade Fun Hour 36
We had a total of 9 students return their Reading Punch Card for their prizes. Some of the crafts and activities done with the Reading Program children were shared with the Board. The Music Coloring Contest sheets are due on July 14th. This contest is open to Preschoolers to students in the 8th grade. It was noted that a Bilingual Class will be held from 4:30 – 5 p.m. on each Thursday in July. The first session had a total of 16 attending.

An update was presented on the Lego Guy Program held on June 8th which the Library Foundation paid for. The library paid for the ad in the newspaper. The ad on the radio was shared with Rock County Public Library as was the motel room for one night. We had over 90+ attend the program. The kids seemed to have a great time and enjoyed creating with the Legos. We gave away five Lego vehicles with a driver as a door prize. Winners included Andrew Miller, Kristofer Hitchcock, Daniel Thornton, Card Marbry, and Elsie Pankowski.

Information was shared on the Code Club “IMLS” grant that our library just applied for. This grant will award 50 small and rural libraries across the country all the resources necessary to run a code club with one-on-one training sessions, code club software (Prenda), and ongoing coaching and support. All that is required is computers (laptops or desktops), internet, a space in the library, and library staff/volunteer to facilitate. Our director has watched the required webinar so now we just wait and see if our library if awarded this grant or not.

The Garden Walk fundraiser will be held on July 17th. We have five home/yards to visit this year. Food will be served from 5:30-6 p.m. at the Library. Maps will be handed out at this time with the places to visit. Garden Walkers will be enjoying the photography of Jan Vogelsang which will be on display at the library. You will have from 6-9 p.m. to visit the homes. Tickets cost will be $10 through July 14th and $15 after that. All the proceeds will go towards the purchase of Makerspace equipment. Garden Walk ads have been placed in the newspaper and over the radio. It was also shared on the Library’s website and Library’s FaceBook page. Discussion was held on the food to serve and set up time.

The Board spent time discussing the Application for Public Library Accreditation and the points we have met so far. The progress on the Community Needs Response Plan was shared. This will be finalized by the next meeting so that the Board can approve it.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 was worked on. Alane Lentz made the motion to approve the proposed budget in the amount of $132,321. See enclosed copy of the budget line items. Phyllis Leach seconded this. All members voted in favor of.

Under workshops and meetings, it was noted that the Director had attended the Union Meeting on June 13th and the N Compass Live: 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process on June 27th. It was noted that the Board still needed 13 CE hours before the end of September. Phyllis Leach stated that she had just watched a webinar and reported it. Alane Lentz stated that she had also watched a webinar and will get the information to director to submit.

Articles of interest from various library newsletters and journals were shared with the board. There was no other correspondence to share.

The next meeting date was set for August 1st at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

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