The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on October 2, 2024 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, on the radio, and posted at the library plus on the libraries website and Facebook page. The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed three members present. They included Tammy Hancock, Luke Hitchcock, and Alane Lentz. Member Stacey Gilliland was excused due to medical reasons. Our fifth member has not been named yet by the City Council.
Alane Lentz moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Tammy Hancock seconded this with all members present voting in favor of. Luke Hitchcock made the motion to approve the claims for payment. Tammy Hancock seconded this. All members voted in favor of.
The Monthly Library Report for September was presented as well as a list of titles purchased. It was noted that a statement had been mailed to the County Commissioners for library service for the fiscal year of 2024-2025. The summary for fiscal year 2023-2024 was presented to the Board. A copy of this report has been sent to the City for their records.
Upcoming events for the month of October was shared:
1. Silent Witness Display from Sept. 30-Oct. 7
2. Owl Storytime Oct. 8th 4-5 p.m.
3. Book Club Oct. 21st “The Women” by Kristin Hannah 2 p.m.
4. Monster Storytime Oct. 22nd 4-5 p.m.
5. Trick or Treat Main Street Oct. 31st 4-6 p.m.
6. Cemeterrarium Craft for first 12 to sign up for age12+
Library accreditation was discussed. It was noted that the Accreditation Online form was submitted on Sept. 18th. We should receive a silver level. The Community Needs Response plan (Five-Year Plan) was mailed off on Sept. 23rd. The Public Library Board Certification arrived and will be good till 9-2027. The Board will need to get 20 hours of continuing education hours in the next three years to keep the certification.
Holiday closings were discussed. The library will be closed on Oct. 14th for Columbus Day; Nov. 11th for Veterans Day; Nov. 28th for Thanksgiving Day; Dec. 24-25th for Christmas, and Dec. 31st and Jan. 1st for the New Year’s holiday.
Reviews were given on workshops/meetings attended by library staff. Director had attended the Thursday Director’s Zoom meeting on Sept. 12th. Two staff members attended the Teen Halloween Craft Workshop on Sept. 26th.
Correspondence was shared with the Board. The Nebraska Library Commission sent us a two page flier titled “How Much Does Your Library Benefit Your Community?” It shows what it would cost if the library did not exist and what residents would pay for some of the materials and services provided by the library. The total amount that residents would spend without a library in Ainsworth was $208,719. Ken Burns will have a documentary on Leonardo da Vinci on Nov. 18 and 19. Nebraska Public Media will send a special poster on this event to the library. We are to create a book display around it with books on da Vinci life and art. Articles of interest from various library journals and newsletters were shared.
The next meeting date and time will be on Nov. 6th at 5 pm. Since there was no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
