The Ainsworth Public Library held its regular monthly board meeting on February 7, 2024 at the Ainsworth Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, on the radio, on the Library’s website and Facebook page, plus posted at the Library. President Phyllis Leach called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed three members present (Phyllis Leach, Todd Flynn, and Luke Hitchcock). Members Stacy Gilliland and Alane Lentz were absent. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.
Todd Flynn made the motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Phyllis Leach seconded this with all members in favor of. Luke Hitchcock made the motion to approve the claims for payment. Todd Flynn seconded this with all members present voting in favor of. The Monthly Library Report and list of titles purchased was shared with the Board. The Statistical Report for 2023 and the Nebraska Library Commission Supplement Report was shared with the board. This was submitted to the Nebraska Library Commission on January 22nd. A copy of this report has been given to the City Clerk for her records and to share with the Mayor/City Council.
A review was given on recent activities at the Library. Discussion was held on upcoming events such as Book Club, Story Time, the Primary Poison Education/Prevention Class on March 12th, and the Blind Date with a Book program. It was noted at this time that the American Heart Association and Heart Corp will be delivering a Blood Pressure Monitor for the public to use at the library. A Heart Program will be presented in March to go along with this monitor. Smokey the Bear is turning 80 years-old this year. The Forest Department will be working with the public libraries on doing a Smokey Bear Reading Challenge through November 2024. Information was shared on this program. Our library will be doing the challenge later in July and August.
Reviews were given on workshops/meetings that staff has attended. It was noted that staff attended the Director’s Zoom Meetings on Jan. 4th, and 11th; plus the Word Press meeting on Jan. 18th, the NCompass Auditing Library Website on Jan. 26th and Word Press Website Refresher on Jan. 31st. Wanda and Gail attended the Summer Reading Program Workshop in Lexington on the 23rd. Upcoming meetings include the Library Foundation Board on Feb. 21st and the All-Day Conference of Big Talk from Small Libraries on Feb. 23rd. Luke Hitchcock made the motion to close the library that day so that staff could attend the sessions. Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Board members were encouraged to attend. The Board needs 6 more continuing education hours for their certification in September.
Under correspondence, a letter from a nine year-old from Bowling Green, Ohio was shared. The Library is in the process of replying back with information from our local area. Information from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation’s Wander Nebraska Program was shared. Articles of interests from library journals and newsletters were shared with the Board.
The next meeting date/time was set for March 6th at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
