The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on October 9, 2019 at 5 p.m. This meeting was advertised on the radio, in the local newspaper, on the library’s website, plus at the library. The meeting was called to order and notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Laws. Roll call showed three members present. Two members that were absent. The Library Director was also present for the meeting.
Alane Lentz made the motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Phyllis Leach second this with all members present voting yes. Traci Ganser moved to approve the claims for payment. Alane seconded this motion with all members present voting yes. A budget review was done. The Monthly Library Report for September was presented as well as List of Titles Purchased. It was noted that the Director had started on the End of Year Report and would have it ready to share at the next meeting. The OverDrive Circulation statistics for September was shared. It was noted that the Mayor and City Clerk would begin the process of performance evaluations for all employees. With pay increases to start October 1st, employees will receive a 2 % increase now and the other 1% will be applied retroactively after the evaluation is done.
The Board discussed the promotional work done to make people aware of National Library Card Sign-Up Month in September. Banned Books Week (Sept. 23-28th) was also discussed. The staff put up a display with a wagon full of books that have been challenged. Each book had a slip on it stating the reason why. The display received lots of attention by library patrons.
A storm hit on September 10th, breaking off large branches from two trees on the north side of the library landing on director’s vehicle. The City workers removed the mess the next day. One tree was deemed a safety hazard and NPPD removed it later that afternoon for the City so it would not break an electrical line.
An update was presented on the 2019-2020 budgets. The County did approve the amount of $11,000. The City approved our request also. A copy of the budget was handed out to board.
The Nebraska Library Commission sent out information on the Library Innovation Studio to all the host libraries. It was noted that the IMLS extended the grant for one year with additional grand funds. This will allow another eight to nine libraries participate in the grant. This will now be open to three libraries from communities over 25,000 populations. The downside is the originally libraries in the grant will have to wait to find out which piece of used equipment they could receive because of their participation as a host library. A fact-finding and networking event will be held with all the project libraries in April or May 2021 to share knowledge, experiences, successes and challenges with the Maker Space.
The Library does plan to take part of the Trunk and Treat Event on Halloween downtown. We will be handing out books until our supply is gone.
The “From Book to Movie” fundraiser with the Grand Theater was discussed. Funds will be shared between the two groups. We will be working with the Chamber Christmas Kickoff on Nov. 30th. We want to display the basket a week ahead of time. Baskets should be on display starting Nov. 22-23. The final auction will take place on Nov. 30th when the free movie of the kids will be shown. The fire department will pay for the cost of the movie. The library/foundation will pay for the tickets for the kids.
The staff plans to attend several workshops: The Cricut 2.0 Make & Take Workshop in Atkinson and the Grand Summer Reading Program Workshop in Broken Bow. Under correspondence, a thank you note from Deb Fischer was shared for holding her mobile office visit at the library. A letter from the Library Commission was shared with information on the Movie Licensing USA Public Performance Site License. A thank you note was shared for taking the Technology and E-rate Survey. Information was shared on the grant titled DigitalLead which would provide digital skills funding opportunity for rural libraries. The problem with sending text messages through our circulation system has been fixed and seems to be working fine. Information from Overdrive included the simultaneous access to “After the Flood” title, update on desktop app for Mac, and the Macmillan Us lending model change. Articles of interest from library journals and newsletters were shared.
The next meeting date was set for November 6th at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
