The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting at the Ainsworth Public Library on August 5th. This meeting was advertised on the local radio, newspaper, library website, and posted at the library. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed three members present. They included Traci Ganser, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz. Members Pedro Bordes and Todd Flynn were 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 Ganser moved to approve the claims for payment. Alane Lentz seconded this with all members voting in favor of. The Monthly Library Report for July was presented as well as a list of titles purchased. The OverDrive circulation statistics was also shared highlighting the checkouts of Advantage copies owned by other libraries to our patrons.
An update was given on the Summer Reading Program for the Middle School students and the High School/Adult groups using the Reader Zone Program. We had for Middle School students enroll and complete the program. We had two adults enrolled. Prizes were issued to the ones meeting their reading goals. It was noted at this time that a Nebraska 1K Reading Challenge would run all of August for readers of all ages. The Nebraska Library Commission, The Nebraska Regional Library Systems, and Reader Zone are sponsoring this. Prizes would be awarded. Our library was asked to promote this August Reading Challenge to our patrons.
Phyllis Leach gave a review of the Garden Walk fundraiser held on July 23rd by the Library Foundation and Library Board. We had six homes to visit. A sack lunch was provided for people to enjoy at the homes, in the park, or in the car that evening. Almost $400 was raised for library projects.
No word has been received on the budget requests to the City and County at this time.
The Mayor has been informed on the need to appointment someone to fill the term of Pedro Bordes. Pedro will be moving from the area. It is hoped that a replacement would be found by the August City Council Meeting. It was noted at this time that Todd Flynn, Traci Ganser, and Alane Lentz was reappointed to another term by the Mayor and City Council ending 4-20-2024.
It was noted that the Library Board has completed all the needed Continuing Education Hours for their Nebraska Library Board Certification. The recertification date is 9-30-2021.
A discussion was held on COVID-19 restrictions at the library. Board decided to keep the restrictions the same. A survey will be completed towards the end of September to get parent’s feeling on holding programming again, etc. The Board said that if the Book Club wanted to meet at the library they may as we have a small number of readers. Director will contact them and see what they think.
It was noted that Abbie Wiebesicek would be leaving the Library on August 22nd. The job application from the City will be used. Ads will be placed on Facebook, in the local newspaper, and on the radio. Ending date will be September 1st.
Library Director gave a report on the Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries Meetings held on July 17 via GoToWebinar. The next meeting will be November 20th in Lincoln. Staff has attended the Thursday Zoom Director’s Meeting on July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30th.
Under Correspondence, information was shared on resources for low-income Nebraskans seeking help with legal matters pertaining to COVID-19 issues. New test results announced from the REALM project was shared. Four days of quarantine is needed instead of the three days previously announced on library materials. It was noted that the Library would be receiving the Rightfully Hers display from the National Archives Foundation and the Smithsonian’s poster Exhibition “Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the right for women to vote. The Library will also be receiving the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Book Donation from the American Library Association. The information on the new password for NebraskAccess was shared with the board. Articles of interest from library newsletter and journals were shared.
The next meeting date/time was set for Sept. 2nd at 5 p.m. Since there was no other business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
