Ainsworth Public Library

The Ainsworth Library Board held its monthly meeting on Sept. 20, 2023 after a lack of quorum for the meeting set for Sept. 13^th.  This meeting was advertised on the radio station, in the newspaper, posted at the library, and on the library’s website and Facebook page.  The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by President Phyllis Leach.  Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act.  Roll called showed three members present:  Todd Flynn, Stacey Gilliland, and Phyllis Leach.  Members absent from the meeting included Luke Hitchcock and Alane Lentz.  Library director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.

Todd Flynn made the motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  Stacey Gilliland seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  Stacey Gilliland moved to approve the claims for payment.  Phyllis Leach seconded this with all in favor.   A list of titles purchased this last month was shared with the Board.  The Monthly Library Report for August was presented.  It was also noted at this time that the hail damage on the roof had been repaired on Sept. 11 to Sept.13.  The insurance company had to make an adjustment on the number of shingle bundles as the roofers did not have enough to complete.  The last section was finished on the 15^th.  The rain gutters need to be replaced yet and that should happen this week.  City Clerk had stated that the road construction on Main Street north of highway 20 should be starting the first of November.  Our library was helping the Library Commission with deleting some patrons from Overdrive after they had asked for help. We also deleted some patrons from our system at the same time.  The total number was 329 deleted as noted on the monthly report.

The COE Student seems to be working out.  An update was given on duties that she has been preforming. 

The first Book Club discussion was held on Sept. 18^th with the One Book One Nebraska title of “The Mystery of Hunting’s End” by M.G. Eberhart.  A member of the community had called the library to complain on the titles that were selected for the Book Club.   The list of titles selected was shared with the Board so they would know what books were planned to be read by the group.

It was noted that the Stanley Door Opener had been finally repaired.   It is working well and people are enjoying it.   The Board was made aware of the LED Lights that were installed around the outside of the library building by the Library Foundation Board.   Everyone has been enjoying the extra lighting at night.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month.  The Library has been promoting this all month in the library, on the radio, and on our Facebook page and website.

It was noted that Banned Book Week will be celebrated from October 1-7^th.   Library staff is in the process of making a display with books that have been banned through the years.

The Library will be handing out Eclipse Glasses for the October 14^th annular eclipse of the sun.  Our area will see about 65% of the sun covered by the moon.  Promotional work will be done at the Library, on our website and Facebook page.  If we have glasses left over, we will save them and use on April 8^th when the total eclipse happens.

The City had approved our budget for 2023–2024 as presented except for a change on the insurance lines.  The Clerk will be getting a budget sheet to me as soon as she has her paper work done.

It was noted that staff had attended the Nebraska Public Media Early Childhood Resources Information Session on August 11^th and The Planning Region Team 17: Early Intervention Act on Sept. 8^th.  The Library Foundation Board Meeting was held on Sept. 6^th.  Phyllis Leach gave a review from that meeting.

Under Correspondence, we had a letter from the Nebraska Library Commission stating that they had purchased the Swank Movie Licensing USA Public Performance Site License for the libraries in Nebraska.  This license will be good for one year.  A thank you note from Kimberlyn Doke on our Summer Reading Program was shared with the Board.  Articles of interest from various library journals/newsletters were share with the Board.

The next meeting was set for October 4^th at 5 p.m.   Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

The Book Club selection for October will be “The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz” by Ellie Midwood. Millions of people walked through Auschwitz’s gates, but she was the first woman who escaped.

This powerful novel tells the inspiring true story of Mala Zimetbaum whose heroism will never be forgotten, and whose fate altered the course of history. Mala and Edward made a promise, they would escape together or they would die together. What follows is one of the greatest love stories in history.

If you would like to read this story, please let us know. We have copies available at the library. The group will meet on October 18th at 2 p.m. to share thoughts on this book.

Due to a lack of quorum, the Library Board Meeting set for Sept. 13th has now been changed to Sept. 20th at 5 p.m. Hope that this doesn’t inconvenience you!

Beware: The roof will be replaced next week thanks to the hail damage received in the Spring. Work may start on Monday through Wednesday, this depends on the weather and if they get the conference center roof completed. Please be careful when coming through the door!

The Ainsworth Library Foundation Board will hold its quarterly meeting on August 23rd at 5 p.m. at the Ainsworth Public Library.

The 2023-2024 Book Club session is starting with a book that keeps the reader guessing as to who is behind the murders taking place in a lodge outside of Valentine during a blizzard. Why were these murders committed, are any of the guests staying at the lodge safe, and who is the killer? The book is full of colorful characters, including Nurse Sarah Keate and detective Lance O’Leary. The reader is challenged to find clues that will lead to the discovery of who is the guilty party.

The One Book One Nebraska reading program is entering its nineteenth year. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. A committee of the Nebraska Center for the Book selected this book from a list of twenty-seven titles nominated by Nebraskans from across the state. The Nebraska Center for the Book board announced the choice for the 2023 One Book One Nebraska on October 22, at the annual Celebration of Nebraska Books.

The Book Club members may pick up a copy of the book now at the Library. We will gather on September 18th at 2 p.m. to share thoughts on the title. If you have questions, please contact the library!