Minutes from the September Library Board Meeting

The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on September 5, 2018 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, posted at the Library, and listed on the Library’s Facebook page and website. President Traci Alberts called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Act. Roll called showed four 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 made the motion to approve the minutes. Phyllis Leach seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Traci Alberts moved to approve the claims for payment. Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor of. The board spent of a few minutes reviewing the budget spending sheet. The Monthly Library Report for August was shared with the Board. Discussion was held on the Director’s upcoming vacation. Staff was been weeding the adult fiction section and placing the withdrawn titles in the Book Sale. It was noted that the wireless hub that runs the internet throughout the library has been acting up and needs to be replaced. Threerivers will be installing the needed new equipment soon.

The Library Innovation Studio was at the State Fair on August 26th. Gail Irwin worked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. showing items created at our library. The equipment was running all day long for demonstration. Lots of people stopped by and watched items being made. The new Button Maker ordered for our library has arrived. People may make a pin back, mirror, or magnetic button. The fees to use the machine will be the cost of material only. It was noted that the Library Foundation agreed to purchase the Heat Press and needed supplies. It should be here soon.

Phyllis Leach and Traci Alberts shared information on the upcoming fundraiser by the Library Foundation. The “Sink Your Teeth Into Reading” event will be held on Oct. 15th. It is hoped to have the sink in the Homecoming Parade to help promote it. We plan to place photos on the library Facebook page with people smiling with vampire teeth as well as on-line donation button. There will be no Book Basket Auction this year as the Foundation hopes to go with that event every other year.

It was noted that the Accreditation Application forms and the Community Needs Response Plan has been submitted. We showed a total of 252 points on the form. You need at least 250 points to be at the Gold Level. So now we wait and see if they approve all the points and the plan. The last item to be done is the Library Board Certification. The board needs to finish 3 more continuing education hours by the end of September for this.

An update was given on the proposed budget for 2018-2019. The library director attended the city budget workshop on August 27th. It was felt that the Library would receive the budget funds asked for.

The library will observe Library Card Sign Up Month all of September as well as Banned Book Week (Sept. 23-29th). Promotions will be held to raise the awareness of these special events.

Information on the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries 2018-2019 budget proposal and budget splits for the eBooks and audiobooks was shared with the Board.

Information on the IMLS Code Club Grant was shared. They had 350 applications for the 50 spots. Our library was not selected. Library staff will continue to keep looking for grants to apply for as we feel it is important to offer coding to our youth.

It was noted that the Book Discussion Group will start up for the year on Sept. 17th. Readers will share information on a great book they read this summer as well as voted for the titles to read the rest of the year. The October title will be handed out at this time.

Board members shared information on the various webinars/meetings that they have attended. It was noted that they need several more CE hours to get their certification. Traci Alberts shared information from the Library Foundation Board Meeting held on August 16th. The Foundation would like to do some landscaping work around the library. Input was asked of the Library Board on this project. The plan is to remove and clean up the area this fall so it will be ready to work on in the spring with grass seed, etc. The foundation would also like to place a memorial in memory of Freda Hinrichs. The Library Board has no problem with the plans and said to go ahead with it.

Articles of interest from various library journals were shared. It was noted that the Bulletin Board created by Wanda which featured fireflies that light up was featured in the Central Plains Library System.

The next meeting was set for October 3rd at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:54 p.m.

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