The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on August 2, 2023 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, posted at the Library as well as on the library’s website and Facebook page. The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed four members present. One member was absent. Library Director was also present for the meeting.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the last meeting and to approve claims for payment. All members voted in favor of. The Monthly Library Report for July was presented as well as a list of titles purchased. A usage report from Google and our library Facebook page was shared. It was reported at this time that our COE Student from the school would start work at the Library on August 16th.
Updates were given on the repairs at the library. It was noted that the company has not been to the library yet on the door opener. The estimate on the damages at the library from the hail in May was shared with the Board. The city will be including the library roof in the bid advertisement with other damages to the city facilities. It was noted that the outside soffit lights would be replaced with LED recessed lights. The Library Foundation will be paying for this out of funds that they had raised for this project.
A review was given on the July 17th Author Visit by Rob Soles on his book “A Winding Path to Flat Water”. Rob graduated from Ainsworth. We had a total of 34 in attendance. He had a number of books to give away but asked people that were taking the book to give a little donation to the library foundation. A total of $330 was raised.
It was noted that the date for the Star Party being planned by the Foundation has not been set. We are waiting on an expert to come from Omaha with a large telescope.
No news on the proposed budget. The City and County usually do Budget Hearings in August.
The Book Club will be restarting soon. The first book will be the One Nebraska/One Book title of “The Mystery of Hunting’s End” by Mignon Eberhart. The discussion will be held on Sept. 18th.
Under meetings/workshops, a review was given by the library director on the Nebraska State Library Advisory Council Board meeting held on July 21st and the NCompass Internet filtering for CIPA and cybersecurity on the 26th. It was noted that the United for Libraries Virtual training for Trustees, Friends and Foundations was currently being held from August 1-3rd. The Library Foundation will also have a meeting coming up in August.
Under correspondence, information from the Nebraska Public Commission Order was shared on the hearing to be held on 8-21-23 on implementing a program to incentivize new fiber construction for E-Rate eligible entities. Articles of interest were shared from the Central Plains Library System Newsletter and the Library Journal for August.
The next meeting date/time was discussed. Library Director will be on vacation the first part of September and asked to move the meeting to September 13th at 5 p.m. The Board members approved the meeting date change.
Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
