The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on July 12, 2023 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, at the Library and on the libraries FaceBook page and website. The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. Notice of the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act was given. Roll called showed three members present. They included Todd Flynn, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz. Members Stacie Gilliland and Luke Hitchcock were absent. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.
Alane Lentz made the motion to approve the claims for payment. Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Alane Lentz moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting which Todd Flynn seconded. All members voted in favor of. The Monthly Library Report was presented as well as a list of titles purchased. It was noted that the library’s roof did have hail damage. The City will put out one bid for all of the city buildings needing roof work.
A review was given on the Summer Reading Program. We had a total of 64 children register (13 in the Toddler Time, 15 in the Preschool group, and 36 in the K-4th grade). Total attendance to the month long activities came to 282 (Toddle Time 61, Preschool 56, K-4th grade 165). The Humanities Nebraska David Marsh program of Music from around the World had a total of 50 in attendance. The Meet and Greet Community Vehicles attendance was 80. The K-4th grade group kept track of time read with ReaderZone from June 1-June 30th. Total time read by the whole group came to 6,253 minutes. The reading goal was to read a total of 500 minutes. We had 7 readers reach the goal. Most time read over all was Kaydence Myers with 1,071 minutes and 2nd place was Kimberlyn Doke with 735 minutes. Prizes were given to the top two readers in each grade.
There was no new information to share on the Stanley Door Opener so no action was taken on this.
It was noted that an Author Visit by Rob Soles is planned for the 17th at 5 p.m. Rob is an AHS graduate and has family roots here. He will be talking about his novel “A Winding Path to Flat Water” which is a historical fiction on his great-grandfather’s life. Refreshments will be served by the foundation board.
A Star Party is being planned by the Foundation Board the first part of August. They are doing this to promote the use of the new telescope.
No news on the proposed budget for 2023-2024. It has been submitted to the City Clerk. Budget Workshop and Hearing are usually held in August.
Reports were given on the meetings and workshops attended by the library staff. It was noted that the director had attended the Thursday Director’s Zoom Meeting on June 1, 22, and 29th as well as the NCompass: Nebraska Public Library Laws: Chapter 51 and Beyond. Board members were encouraged to watch the video of this for their continuing education hours. It was noted that the director would be attending the Nebraska State Library Advisory Council meeting on July 21st. This will be held online so no travel involved. The Nebraska Library Commission has purchased a statewide registration for the interactive three day virtual event for the 2023 United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees, Friends, and Foundation. All library directors/staff, board members, and Friends of the Library and Foundation representatives can use this free registration for the three day event. Information was shared with the board on this and the link will be sent to them to read at home.
Under correspondence we had information on the new passwords for NebraskAccess ; information from the Star Library on the Solar Eclipses of 2023 & 2024 Guide; and the Library Early Childhood Resource Internet Form from the Nebraska Public Media. Various articles of interest from library journals and newsletters were shared.
The next meeting date/time was set for August 2nd at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
