The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on November 6, 2019 at the Ainsworth Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, on the radio, and posted at the Library. President Traci Ganser called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed three members present for the meeting. They included Traci Ganser, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz. The members that were absent included Pedro Bordes and Todd Flynn. The Library Director 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. Alane Lentz moved to approve the claims for payment. Phyllis Leach seconded this with all members voting in favor of. The Board spent time doing a budget spending review. A list of titles purchased during the month was shared. The monthly library report for October was shared as well as a summary for fiscal year 2018-2019.
The Library had a table at the Trunk and Treat event downtown on Halloween. We handed out a total of 150 books and 100 plastic vampire teeth. We ran out about 15 minutes before the end.
The One Book One Nebraska title for 2019 will be the featured book for November 18th. The finalists for the 2020 One Book One Nebraska titles were shared with the Board. There will be no Book Discussion held in December.
An update was given on the Macmillan lending model that will take effect on November 1st on our Overdrive. There will be challenges with managing these changes. When there is a wait list, Overdrive will add the following message: Due to publisher restrictions, your library is unable to purchase any more copies of the book until (date). Overdrive does remain committed to advocating for fair and equitable access for library patrons worldwide.
Discussion was held on the From Book to Movie Basket fundraiser set for Nov. 30th. Several different ideas were shared and will be presented to the Foundation Board at their meeting tomorrow. It was noted that the Library will be providing free tickets for children 12 and under at the Nov. 30th 10 a.m. showing.
It was noted that the library was awarded the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition: World War 1: Lessons and Legacies. The eight posters are currently on display at the library. The Library staff also put together a nice display of books from our collection on WW 1.
Under meetings and workshops, it was noted that the Ainsworth Library Foundation Board would be meeting on Nov. 7th. Library Director, will be attending the Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries in Lincoln on Nov. 15th. Library staff will be attending the Cricut 2.0 Make and Take Workshop in Atkinson on Nov. 22nd. This workshop will help us decide if we want to purchase a vinyl cutter like what was in the Makerspace or get a cricut. Staff also plans to attend the Grand Summer Reading Program 2020 Workshop in Broken Bow on Jan. 29th.
Under correspondence the Board shared information on the Nebraska Free Legal Answers from the Nebraska State Bar Association. Articles of interest from library journals and newsletters were also shared.
Board discussed holiday closings. Traci Ganser made the motion to close the library on November 28th for Thanksgiving, December 24th and 25th for Christmas, and December 31st and January 1st for New Years with the approval of the Mayor. Alane Lentz seconded this with all members in favor of. The Library will be open on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The director will visit with the City Clerk on this.
We set the next meeting date for January 8th at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
