The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on February 5, 2025 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised over the radio, at the Library, on the Library website and FaceBook page. The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. by President Stacy Gilliland. Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed four members were present (Stacy Gilliland, Luke Hitchcock, Jean Hunt, and Alane Lentz). Member Tammy Hancock was absent. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present. There were no public comments.
Luke Hitchcock made the motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting with the correction of the spelling of Alana to Alane on the roll call. Jean Hunt seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Luke Hitchcock moved to approve the claims for payment. Alane Lentz seconded this with all members voting in favor of. The Monthly Library Report for January was presented as well as a list of titles purchased.
Discussion was held on the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program. An Open House was held on Jan. 31st from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. so that people could meet the volunteer workers, learn about the tax program, share some food, and schedule tax appointments. The volunteers include Kay Anderson, Brenda Davis, and Lydia Moody. Linda Moody from the IRS will also be present to help on certain days. The appointments will be made when the library is closed on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. The library will be making the appointments for the public. The program will run from Feb. 6 to April 3rd. There is no cost to have the income tax forms done.
Review was given on the events held at the Library in January. Storytime was held on Jan. 8th with a snow theme and on Jan. 21st with animals in the winter. Book Club was held on Jan. 21st with the One Book One Nebraska 2024 title of “Dancing with the Octopus”. We placed a wooden puzzle out for the public to work on. It took a whole month to complete it.
Upcoming events were discussed. Storytime will be held on Feb. 4th with a Valentine’s theme and on Feb. 18th with a penguin theme. Book Club will be held on Feb. 18th with the title of “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake. The Blind Date with a Book started on Feb. 1st and will run to Feb. 28th. Each person checking out a book will have their name placed in a drawing for a prize. Read Across America-Dr. Seuss Day will be celebrated on March 4th.
Information from workshops/meetings attended was shared. Director attended the Thursday Director’s Zoom meeting on the 2nd and 30th and the IRS 2024 EITC 50 zoom meeting on the 23rd. It was noted that the Ainsworth Library Foundation Board meeting would be held on Feb. 19th. Upcoming workshops include the Color Our World Summer Reading Program in Kearney on Feb. 26th and the all day conference of Big Talk for Small Libraries on Feb. 28th.
Under correspondence, information was shared on the VR Truck out of Norfolk that libraries in Nebraska are trying to schedule for summer events. Articles were also shared on South Dakota attempting to defund their state library and on the federal government freeze on all federal grants (LSTA funding included). This could have a large impact on all types of libraries. The Board also shared articles of interest from library journals and newsletters.
The next meeting was set for March 5th at 5pm. Since there was no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
