Ainsworth Public Library

Bob Ross was at the library today doing an author talk and book signing with his new title “Billy Above the Roofs”. Thanks for coming!

Congratulations to the current Library Board Members: Phyllis Leach, Alane Lentz, Luke Hitchcock, Stacie Gilliland, and Todd Flynn.

The Ainsworth Library Board has received their Public Library Board Certification for another three years. It will expire September 30, 2024. This certification program is designed to encourage continuing education for library trustees, to support learning needed to keep current on trends, practices, and many library and information service issues.

The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly on September 8, 2021 at 5 p.m.  This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, posted on the Library’s website, and at the library.  The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. by President Leach.  Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act.  Roll call showed four members present.  They included Todd Flynn, Stacie Gilliland, Luke Hitchcock, and Phyllis Leach.  Member Alane Lentz was absent.   Library director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.

Stacie Gilliland made the motion to approve the minutes.  Luke Hitchcock seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  Luke Hitchcock moved to approve the claims for payment.  Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  The Monthly Library Report for August was presented as well as a list of titles purchased. 

An update was given on the upcoming budget request for 2021-2022.  The City Clerk stated that the Council did not make any changes to the proposed budget submitted by the Board at the budget workshop.   The City Council is holding the Budget Hearing tonight at their meeting.  No word has been received from the County yet on the library’s request.

Discussion was held on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Formula Grant, the Library Improvement Grant, and the Youth Grants for Excellence.  For this year only, the improvement and youth grant will not require a match.   Director continues to work on these grants and hopes to submit in the near future.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Sign-Up was held on August 21^st at the East City Park during the Chamber of Commerce Back to School BBQ Bash.  Phyllis Leach, Ellen Voss, and Gail Irwin were on hand to sign the children up.   We had seven register that night.

It was noted that the repair work on the soffit/fascia was completed.   It was $1000 under the estimate.  The soaker system has also been installed and the Library Foundation will cover this expense.

In commemoration of the 20^th anniversary of the attack of September 11, 2001; the 911 Memorial and Museum offered our library a poster exhibition titled, “September 11, 2001: the Day that Changed the World”.  This educational exhibition presents the history of 9/11, its origins, and ongoing implications of with 14 posters featuring photographs and images from the Museum’s permanent collection.   Letters were sent to the teachers in Middle/High School in case they wanted to use some of the resources.  The exhibit will be up through the 20^th of September.  The library put together a display of books that they have its collection on this subject.

It was noted that the Book Club has restarted for the year.  The first discussion would be held on September 20^th with the title of “One Thousand White Women” by Jim Fergus.  The title for October will be “Russian Winter” by Daphne Kalotay.  We have a total of 8 different titles ordered for use from August 2021 to April 2022.

It was noted that local author, Bob Ross, would be doing an Author Visit/Book Signing on September 27^th at 3 p.m.  We will also have Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason, at our library for a program on October 4^th from 5-6:30 p.m.  Several ladies from the Library Foundation had volunteered to make cookies for the events. 

The Board was presented the new business card with the new password on at for access to the NebraskAccess databases.  This password will work till March 31, 2022.

The OverDrive Community Read program will be offering additional simultaneous use Kids and Teens titles at no cost to our library to help respond to increased demand for digital content.  This will replace the current COVID Response Kids and Teen bundle and provide unlimited access to over 260 titles through September 1, 2024.

Director shared information on the upcoming Nebraska Makerspace Conference in Lincoln on Nov. 2^nd and 3^rd.  Our library is part of this because of the Makerspace grant we took part of four years ago.  Library staff will present during a special section of the conference.

Under workshops and meetings a review was given on the Thursday Director’s Zoom Meeting on August 5^th and 26^th; the System Grant Writing Workshop on August 18^th, and the Library Foundation Board Meeting on the 18^th.  Upcoming workshops include the Best Practices in Workplace Communications on Sept. 14^th, the Makerspace Conference in November, and the Fall in Love with Cricut on Nov 30^th. 

Under correspondence, we received the Public Library Board Certification Program certificate that will expire September 2024.  Articles of interest from various library newsletters and journals were shared with the board.

The next meeting date was set for October 6^th at 5 p.m.   Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.