The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on February 8, 2023 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, at the Library, on the library’s website and Facebook page. The meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. Notice was given on the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed all members present. They included Todd Flynn, Stacey Gilliland, Luke Hitchcock, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present. Alane Lentz made the motion to approve the minutes. Stacey Gilliland seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Stacey Gilliland 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. The Public Library Survey was submitted on Jan. 31st. The report was shared with the board as well as the Supplement Survey at the Nebraska Library Commission.
The library telescope policy was reviewed with changes made at the last meeting. Todd Flynn made the motion to adopt this policy. Stacey Gilliland seconded this with all members voting in favor of.
The Summer Reading Program was discussed. It was noted that Rock County Public Library and our library was working on getting a Humanities Nebraska program (Dave Marsh- Music around the World) here for the kids. Our System Office will pay the fee to have him come.
Atriuum Book Systems will be doing a big update on the OPAC that we use in the next five months. They did add to the card catalog a spot that shows the Total Patron Savings. Information has been sent so we can see how the Gallery option will work in the 14.2 version upgrade.
It was noted that the Library is currently doing the Blind Date with a Book. It was started on Jan. 24th and will run to Feb. 28th. Readers name will be placed in a drawing for a special prize at the end of this program.
Dr. Seuss Hour will be held on Feb. 28th from 4-5 p.m. We chose this date due to March 1st being on Wednesday which is a church youth time and the library will be short of staff on the 2nd.
The AARP Community Challenge Grant was discussed. It was felt that maybe we could work it in with the American Heart Association Midwest Region Grant and improve the community health by getting a chair/blood pressure monitor for the public to use at the Library.
Under meetings/workshops, it was noted that staff members attended the Thursday Directors Zoom meeting on Jan. 26th and the Summer Reading Program Workshop in Grand Island on Feb. 1st. Information was shared on the Youth Mental Health First Aid session which would be held on Feb. 10th at the Community Center. It was noted that the Library Foundation would be meeting next week. Information was shared on the Big Talk from Small Libraries Conference on Feb. 24th. This is held online and runs all day long. The Board gave approval for the library to be closed that day so staff could attend this training. It was noted that the Director would be attending the Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries on March 3rd. It was noted that Library Advocacy Day would be held that same day. There are six bills that have been introduced that have implications for school, public, and academic libraries. These bills were shown to the Board so they could keep up with the hearings on them.
Under correspondence, a $33 check from the recycling of the ink jet cartridges was received for the Library Foundation. Information was shared from Central Nebraska Economic Development District on the affordable connectivity program and the American Library Association report on how new federal funding can power progress to leverage libraries to achieve digital equity for all. Articles of interest from library newsletters and journals were shared with the Board.
The next meeting date/time was set for March 1st at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
